20 Ways to Use Spaghetti Sauce

Today I want to share 20 ways to use spaghetti sauce that go far beyond a plate of noodles. I hope this list helps you stretch your grocery budget, use what you already have stored, and maybe even inspire a new family favorite. If you peek into my pantry, you’ll always find a row of spaghetti sauce jars lined up on the shelf. They’re store-bought; I no longer make it from scratch, and every one of them has a job to do. I made a recipe card for those who want to make it from scratch and freeze it. I use Souper Cubes. Spaghetti Cooker with Strainer, Spaghetti Spoon. A reader told me about those spaghetti cookers, and I’ll never drag my big stainless steel pot out again. A BIG shout-out to whoever mentioned Fasta Pasta. THANK YOU!!

Spaghetti sauce is one of the most versatile items you can keep in your food storage. It’s inexpensive, it stores well, and it can turn a handful of basic pantry staples into a hearty meal your family will actually want to eat. When times are tight or the power of a busy week has worn you down, a jar of sauce can be a real blessing. I bought about 12 jars of these a few months ago at $2.50 each. They are now almost $6.00 a jar. I like the ingredients, and the proceeds go to kids who need it.

Why Spaghetti Sauce Belongs in Your Food Storage

Unopened jars of commercially canned spaghetti sauce are shelf-stable and will keep well until the date printed on the jar when stored in a cool, dark, dry place. Tomato-based sauces are acidic, so over time the flavor and color may fade, which is why I rotate mine and use the oldest jars first. Once a jar is opened, keep it in the refrigerator and plan to use it within about a week. If you know you won’t finish it in time, freeze the leftovers in a freezer bag or in an ice cube tray. Those little sauce cubes are perfect for adding flavor to soups and small meals later.

20 Ways to Use Spaghetti Sauce

Homemade Pizza

Spaghetti sauce makes a wonderful pizza sauce. Spread a thin layer over your crust, add cheese and toppings, and bake. If your sauce is a bit thin, simmer it for a few minutes to thicken before using.

Sloppy Joes

Brown a pound of ground beef with some chopped onion, stir in a cup or so of spaghetti sauce, a little brown sugar, and a splash of Worcestershire sauce. Spoon it onto buns, and you have dinner in about 20 minutes.

Lasagna

This is the classic. Layer noodles, sauce, ricotta or cottage cheese, mozzarella, and cooked meat or vegetables. Lasagna freezes beautifully, so I like to make two entrees and tuck one in the freezer for a hard day.

Baked Ziti or Any Pasta Bake

Toss cooked pasta of any shape with sauce and cheese, pour it into a baking dish, top with more cheese, and bake until bubbly. This is a great way to use up the odds and ends of pasta boxes in the pantry.

Meatball Subs

Simmer meatballs in spaghetti sauce, pile them into hoagie rolls, top with mozzarella or provolone, and broil until the cheese melts. Frozen meatballs work just fine here.

Stuffed Bell Peppers

Mix cooked rice, browned ground beef or sausage, and spaghetti sauce. Fill hollowed-out peppers, top with more sauce and a sprinkle of cheese, and bake until the peppers are tender.

Shakshuka or Eggs in Purgatory

Warm sauce in a skillet, make small wells, and crack eggs right into them. Cover and cook until the whites are set. Serve with crusty bread or toast for dipping. This is a wonderful low-cost meal when you have a few eggs and a jar of sauce on hand.

Chicken Parmesan

Bread and pan-fry chicken cutlets, then top them with spaghetti sauce and mozzarella, and bake until golden. Serve over pasta or with a simple salad.

Tomato Soup Base

Thin spaghetti sauce with chicken or vegetable broth; add a splash of milk or cream if you like, and heat it through. Pair it with grilled cheese sandwiches for a cozy meal on a cold evening.

Minestrone or Vegetable Soup

Add a cup or two of sauce to a pot of broth with beans, chopped vegetables, and small pasta. It adds rich flavor without needing a long simmer. This is a great way to use canned vegetables and beans from your food storage.

Chili Booster

Stir some spaghetti sauce into your chili in place of part of the tomato sauce. The herbs and garlic already in the sauce give it extra depth.

Dipping Sauce

Warm the sauce and serve it with breadsticks, mozzarella sticks, garlic knots, fried zucchini, or homemade pizza rolls. Kids love anything they can dip.

Spaghetti Squash

If you grow squash or find a good deal at the store, roast a spaghetti squash, scrape out the strands with a fork, and top with warm sauce and Parmesan. It’s a lighter, garden-friendly twist on the original.

Cabbage Rolls

Fill blanched cabbage leaves with a mixture of rice and ground meat, roll them up, cover them with spaghetti sauce, and bake slowly. This is real comfort food and a great way to use a homegrown head of cabbage.

Pizza Bagels or English Muffin Pizzas

Split bagels or English muffins, spread with sauce, add cheese and pepperoni, and toast in the oven. These make a quick lunch or after-school snack.

Calzones or Stromboli

Use pizza dough or bread dough, fill it with cheese, meat, and vegetables, and serve with warm sauce on the side for dipping. Calzones freeze well for quick future meals.

Meatloaf Topping

Instead of ketchup, spread spaghetti sauce over your meatloaf before baking. You can also mix a little right into the meat for extra moisture and an Italian flavor.

Polenta Topping

Cook polenta or cornmeal mush, let it firm up, then slice and pan-fry. Top with warm sauce and cheese. Cornmeal is a pantry staple many of us keep on hand, and this is a delicious way to use it.

Slow Cooker Italian Chicken

Place chicken breasts or thighs in the slow cooker, pour a jar of sauce over the top, and add sliced onions, peppers, or mushrooms. Cook on low for several hours, then shred and serve over pasta, rice, or on sandwiches.

Stretching Leftovers

This might be my favorite use of all. A little spaghetti sauce can turn leftover rice, beans, vegetables, or meat into a brand new casserole or skillet meal. When you’re trying not to waste food, a jar of sauce is a true friend.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Spaghetti Sauce

Doctor up a plain jar by sautéing onion and garlic in a little olive oil before adding the sauce, then finish with a pinch of Italian seasoning or a little Parmesan. If your sauce tastes too acidic, a small pinch of sugar or a bit of grated carrot simmered in will mellow it out. If it’s too thin, let it simmer uncovered for a while. If it’s too thick, add a splash of water, broth, or pasta water.

If you can your own sauce at home, please follow tested recipes from trusted sources like the National Center for Home Food Preservation or the USDA guidelines. Tomatoes can vary in acidity, so tested recipes typically call for adding bottled lemon juice or citric acid to keep your home-canned sauce safe.

How Many Jars Should You Store?

A simple way to decide is to count how many meals per month your family eats that use spaghetti sauce, then multiply by the number of months you want to have on hand. If your family enjoys a sauce-based dinner once a week, that is about 4 jars a month, or roughly 24 jars over 6 months. Start small, buy a few extra jars each time you shop, and rotate as you go.

30 Recipes Using A White Sauce

Final Word

Spaghetti sauce may seem like an ordinary pantry item, but it’s one of the hardest-working jars on my shelf. From pizza night to cabbage rolls to a simple skillet of eggs, it helps me feed my family well without spending much time or money. Keeping a good supply in your food storage means you’ll always have the start of a warm, filling meal, even on the busiest or most uncertain days. I hope this list gives you some new ideas and maybe a little peace of mind knowing you can make something wonderful from what you already have. Which of these will you try first? I would love to hear your favorite way to use spaghetti sauce. May God bless this world, Linda

Copyright Images: homemade-italian-tomato-marinara-sauce-Depositphotos_874419880_S