A jar of pasta sauce is the home cook’s equivalent of a game show’s phone-a-friend move. “Dinner again,” you might say into the phone. “What do you have for me?”
Pasta and pizza are reliable sauce options but you don’t need us to tell you that. And there’s no need to limit yourself to those classics. Your favorite pasta sauce has big dreams! Here are 8 ideas for tapping into just how versatile it is:
1. Weeknight Braise
For a hearty, warming meal that you can throw together on a whim, sear bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs in a deep-sided skillet. Or, for a veg alternative, simply warm up a couple drained cans of white beans or chickpeas. (Bonus points: Sauté aromatics in the chicken fat or, if you’re using beans, stir in a few tablespoons of olive oil.) Add a jar of pasta sauce, plus water as needed to bring the liquid to about halfway up the thighs (or to just cover all the beans). For something instantly company-worthy—or just to impress yourself with your skills—make it a jar of Signature Reserve® Porcini & Black Truffle Pasta Sauce, available only at Albertsons. Crafted in Italy using Italian tomatoes, summer-harvested black truffles, and an 18th-century family recipe, it lends savoriness and depth to every dish it touches. Bring everything to a simmer on the stove, then partially cover and simmer gently until the chicken is cooked through or the beans are tender and the sauce is thick. Top with grated cheese and chopped parsley for comfort food that doesn’t take all day.
2. Tomato Rice
This homey baked dish is simple to make but not so simple in flavor. First, sauté any aromatics you like in a medium pot—think garlic, onions, or bay leaves—then add long-grain white rice and stir until lightly toasted. Next, for every 1 cup white rice, add 1 cup pasta sauce and ⅔ cup water. Bring to a boil, then cover and move to a 350° oven for 17 minutes, or until the rice is tender. After baking, leave covered for 5 minutes, then uncover and fluff gently with a fork. For a complete meal, top with an over-easy fried egg; the creamy yolk pairs perfectly with the tender rice and tangy tomato sauce.
3. Shortcut Shakshuka
On top of being one of the most comforting meals to eat, shakshuka is one of the easiest to make. For a super simple version, sauté sliced red peppers and onions, then add a jar of pasta sauce. Cook until slightly thickened, then crack in your eggs and slide into a 375° oven until the whites are just set. To finish, top it with a generous handful of crumbled feta and a sprinkling of freshly chopped parsley, and serve with lots of warm pita for dipping.
4. Fastest Chili
A jarred pasta sauce is already loaded with flavor. With marinara standing in for canned tomatoes, chili doesn’t have to bubble away for hours and hours. Sauté your aromatics and spices, brown your meat, then add your sauce and a bit of broth or water. Simmer for just 15 minutes to allow the flavors to really meld, and serve with cornbread and all the fixings.
5. Almost-Instant Tomato Soup
This method for tomato soup takes just a few minutes longer than popping open a can—but it tastes so much better. And the extra steps means it counts as homemade! Sauté an onion in butter or olive oil, then add 2 tablespoons of flour. Cook for about a minute, until the flour gets a little toasty, then add a jar of pasta sauce and about 1 cup of milk (or half-and-half, for an extra creamy soup). Cook, stirring often, until it thickens slightly. Purée while it’s still hot, if desired, or serve as-is.
6. Polenta Partner
This is the kind of dinner you want to sink right down into: Make a pot of polenta, then top it with a ladleful of warm tomato sauce and lots of grated cheese. If you enjoy wine, pair this dish with a glass of malbec, Rioja, Beaujolais, or another earthy, tannic variety to complement the creaminess of the polenta.
7. Relaxed Parm
With jarred pasta sauce, making a chicken parm (or an anything parm, really) is totally weeknight-feasible. Roast chicken breasts, sliced eggplant, or cauliflower steaks until just cooked through, then top generously with pasta sauce. Here’s another time Signature Reserve® Tomato Porcini & Black Truffle Pasta Sauce, available only at Albertsons, would really shine. Pile with freshly grated mozzarella and parmesan and broil until bubbly.
8. Catch Of The Day
How do you get to the sunny blue Mediterranean any day of the week, if only for dinnertime? Warm jarred pasta sauce with a handful of roughly chopped Kalamata olives and capers, then add skinless filets of flaky white fish or peeled, tail-on shrimp. Cover and simmer very gently until just cooked through. Top with lots of chopped herbs like parsley and dill, and serve with crusty bread. We swear you’ll almost feel the sea breeze.
Shop Signature Reserve® only at your local Albertsons or their family of stores, including Safeway, Vons, Tom Thumb, Randalls, Shaws, Star Market, Jewel-Osco, ACME Markets and Pavilions.
