Clean Eating Simple Spaghetti Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What to put in spaghetti sauce to make it taste better? ›

Red pepper flakes, dehydrated or fresh garlic, dried oregano, parsley, or basil, or an Italian seasoning blend are all good options. Dried herbs and spices should be added at the beginning of the cook time so that they have time to bloom.

Toss in Olives or Capers

Briny ingredients like olives or capers are another way to brighten up your pasta sauce while also introducing texture and depth of flavor.

Tossing in strips of basil, a sprig of thyme or some oregano can take your sauce to the next level. Although fresh herbs might pop a bit more, dried herbs and spices can work just as well. Sprinkling in some red pepper flakes, a pinch of parsley and a dash of salt and pepper can liven up your jarred pasta sauce.

Usually no. But putting (a very small bit) of sugar or even a tiny pinch of baking soda in the tomato sauce can help if it is too acidic, but this is only done if the person cooking it is really in a rush.

IF YOU COOK spaghetti in a big pot of water, drain it, then toss it with sauce, you are pouring a lot of flavor down the drain, says Vendemmia chef Brian Clevenger. “The trick to good pasta is cooking it in the sauce,” he says. It was while working at Delfina in San Francisco that he really started to understand why.

Even a small amount of baking soda significantly raises the pH of the sauce. While this reduces acidic taste, it also tamps down on the brightness that gives the tomato complexity.

Using honey instead of sugar for the sweetener gives a greater depth of flavor. Serve this delicious sauce over pasta or use as a pizza sauce. Leftover sauce can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.

You can use either white or brown sugar. Personally, I prefer packed brown sugar, but experiment to see which gives you the best results. I also make sure to add a dollop of butter to my pasta sauce.

Worcestershire sauce isn't a sauce in itself, it's an ingredient. It enhances the flavor of sauces by giving them depth, a punch in the background and complexity. Foods with complex flavors appeal to our tongues, so Worcestershire sauce makes sauces taste better.

Why cinnamon in tomato sauce? Not only does this add flavor, cinnamon can help temper the acidity of the tomatoes in the sauce to make your sauce less acidic and a bit more sweet. Don't worry, it won't overpower your pot!

What is the secret to good sauce? ›

The longer you let it cook down, the more concentrated the flavors will become. For additional flavor, throw in aromatics, like garlic or shallots, herbs, like thyme or rosemary or both. For a richer sauce, whisk in a couple tablespoons of butter. For a thicker sauce, let the liquid cook down.

A dollop of ricotta or mascarpone adds lightly sweet creaminess, while soft goat cheese or even a humble cream cheese adds tangy richness to elevate dull tomato sauce. A generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese makes any plate of pasta look all dressed up, while adding a welcome kick of umami.

The minimum time you should simmer sauce is 30 minutes. This is about how long the oils take to disappear into the sauce (rather than pooling on top). But you should consider simmering for three or more hours, letting it lazily cook away, no more than a few straggling bubbles surfacing at a time.

How do you fix bland pasta sauce? For a tomato based sauce. After the regular herbs and spices, I find carefully adding some lemon juice or vinegar and a little sugar and salt can help “wake up” a bland tomato sauce. For an Alfredo style cream sauce, extra nutmeg, salt, grated parmesean and garlic can help.

Cheese is an excellent way to add flavor to your pasta without having to rely on sauce. Try mixing your angel hair pasta with goat cheese, and toss in sun-dried tomatoes to make an amazing meal with just a few ingredients. Garlic butter is a terrific way to season all types of noodles.