If you've got a jar of pasta sauce, put it to good use.
Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas
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Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas
If there’s one thing I always have in my pantry, it’s pasta sauce. It’s basically liquid gold at my house: when I’m in a pinch, I know I can pull out a trusty jar and whip up a semi-gourmet dinner in no time at all.
With the holidays oh-so-swiftly approaching, spending oodles of time on dinner just isn’t going to happen for me, and I get the feeling that *maybe* you’re in the same boat?
That’s why I’ve stocked up on pasta sauce like there’s no tomorrow. Around here, we use it on everything from classic spaghetti and pizza (yes, I use it on my pizza!) to stuffed shells. As long as you have some sort of pasta and sauce, you’ve got dinner
Read More: I Asked 4 Food Editors To Name the Best Jarred Marinara—They All Said the Same Brand
Skillet Eggplant Parmesan
Simply Recipes / Micah Siva
‘ title=”Skillet Eggplant Topped With Fresh Basil in a Cast Iron Skillet With a Spoon, and in the Surroundings, a Bowl of Salad Greens, a Bowl of Garlic Bread, and a Mint Kitchen Linen on the Handle of the Cast Iron Skillet”>
Simply Recipes / Micah Siva
Get Recipe: Skillet Eggplant Parmesan
Simply Recipes Contributor Micah Siva says, "If time permits, salt the eggplant for at least 20 minutes before breading. This draws out excess moisture, resulting in a stronger flavor and tender texture."
Pasta Skillet with Chicken Sausage, Cheese & Spinach
Get Recipe: Chicken Sausage and Pasta Skillet
There are 5 basic ingredients in this skillet recipe and I’m almost positive that you have them on hand right now. Keep this recipe tucked in your back pocket because you’ll be using it over and over again!
Baked Ziti
Get Recipe: Baked Ziti
Oh Baked Ziti, how we love thee. It’s such a classic dish that is basically like lasagna but without all the layers. By adding jarred marinara into the mix, this is basically the most low maintenance weeknight meal of all time.
Easy Chicken Parmesan
Get Recipe: Easy Chicken Parmesan
There are so many ways to enjoy Chicken Parmesan! Serve it straight up, over pasta, or in a sub roll. Serve it with a Caesar salad or veggies. Which option will you choose?
Baked Spaghetti
Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon
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Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon
Get Recipe: Baked Spaghetti
Simply Recipes Founder Elise Bauer says, "You can assemble this up to a day ahead. Just cover it and keep it in the fridge, and add a few minutes to the bake time."
Sausage Meatballs with Ricotta in Tomato Sauce
Get Recipe: Sausage Meatballs with Ricotta in Tomato Sauce
Simply Recipes Founder Elise Bauer says, "To chiffonade basil leaves, stack leaves on top of each other, then roll up leaves lengthwise like a cigar, slice thinly starting at the end."
Skillet Chicken Parmesan
Get Recipe: Skillet Chicken Parmesan
Simply Recipes Contributor Nick Evans says, "I normally serve this Chicken Parmesan over spaghetti, but feel free to experiment with it, as the flavors are great on so many things. You could serve it over rice and be just fine, or with a big piece of crusty bread and a salad."
Homemade Pepperoni Pizza
Get Recipe: Homemade Pepperoni Pizza
While this recipe says to use pizza sauce, I’ve used marinara in a pinch, and it still does the trick. TIP! Make an extra batch of dough, smother it with butter and cheese, and cut it into breadsticks. Dip those breadsticks in the extra marinara!
Stuffed Shells
Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas
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Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas
Get Recipe: Stuffed Shells
Simply Recipes Contributor Sally Vargas says, "Check the directions on the package for the pasta cooking time and then subtract 1-2 minutes. Since the shells are going to bake again in the oven, you don’t want them to be too soft at the start."
Easy Italian Sausage Spaghetti
Get Recipe: Easy Italian Sausage Spaghetti
Spaghetti seems to be a default meal for when you can’t think of anything else… and that’s okay! We all have those nights! The trick is to add in a little zing, and in this case, Italian sausage happens to be our zing of choice.
Slow Cooker Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
Get Recipe: Slow Cooker Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
This is such a versatile dish. Want to make it for dinner? Serve it over pasta. Don’t know what to do with the leftovers (if there are any)? Serve it on a hoagie roll. Going to a party? Stick little toothpicks in each meatball and you’ve got a tasty appetizer.
Pepperoni Pizza Pockets
Get Recipe: Pepperoni Pizza Pockets
Think calzone, but flakier. Not only can you use jarred marinara sauce, but you can also use a store-bought pie crust to cut down on the time even more. These are fun to eat for dinner, but my kids love taking them in their lunches!
Baked Chicken Marinara
Get Recipe: Baked Chicken Marinara
This is similar to our Chicken Parmesan, but it’s made with chicken thighs more an added depth of flavor. This is definitely what you’ll want to make for when you need a heaping helping of comfort food!
Easy Stuffed Stromboli
Get Recipe: Easy Stuffed Stromboli
If you’re a sauce lover like I am, then you can add marinara sauce to the Stromboli after you have rolled the dough out and before you add on the toppings. Or, you can follow the original directions for the Stromboli and then dip the slices into marinara. Your choice!
Meat Lovers' Sheet Pan Pizza
Get Recipe: Meat Lovers' Sheet Pan Pizza
Ever had sheet pan pizza? It’s so fun to make, and this one is loaded to the brim with meat. This makes a giant pizza, so you’re more than likely to have leftovers!
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