56 Dinners That Start with a Jar of Pasta Sauce
56 Dinners That Start with a Jar of Pasta Sauce
Read Time: 26 mins
56 Dinners That Start with a Jar of Pasta Sauce
4g fiber), 33g protein
4g fiber), 33g protein. 3/56 Spicy Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Spicy Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I make this spicy shrimp pasta a lot because it’s a something my family never seems to get tired of. The sauce is so fast to make I can get it done while the fettuccine is cooking. In the past, I have added red peppers and spinach, but who’s to say you could not add mushrooms or more or less spice. —Stephanie
Timesaving ingredients like
Beluk, Sharpsburg, Georgia Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 427 calories, 14g fat (7g saturated fat), 165mg cholesterol, 491mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 3g fiber), 29g protein. If you can’t get enough sauce, learn more about all of your favorites with our ultimate guide to pasta sauce. 4/56 Ravioli Casserole 42 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Ravioli Casserole Recipe photo by Alejandro Monfort for Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The whole family will love this yummy dish that tastes like lasagna without all the fuss. Timesaving ingredients like
prepared spaghetti sauce and frozen ravioli make it a cinch to put together
prepared spaghetti sauce and frozen ravioli make it a cinch to put together. Children can help you assemble this one. —Mary Ann Rothert, Austin, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 518 calories, 25g fat (12g saturated fat), 88mg cholesterol, 1411mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 5g fiber), 30g protein. 5/56 Pasta Napolitana 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Pasta Napolitana Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 2 hours 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is the ultimate meat lovers pasta and is my copycat version of the Olive Garden’s pasta. Rich and hearty
with tremendous flavors, this delish dish will disappear quickly
with tremendous flavors, this delish dish will disappear quickly. I always make extra sauce, as it freezes very well. —John Pittman, Northampton, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 427 calories, 28g fat (9g saturated fat), 82mg cholesterol, 1591mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 4g fiber), 24g protein. For a lighter meal, turn to these healthy pasta sauce recipes. 6/56 Pizza Sandwich 13 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Pizza Sandwiches Recipe photo by Kayla Widmer for Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I give grilled cheese a special treatment by using slices
Dipped in warm pizza sauce, this will be a fast favorite!
of mozzarella cheese and adding delicious extras like pepperoni and fresh tomatoes. Dipped in warm pizza sauce, this will be a fast favorite! —Mary Monaco, Columbus, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 495 calories, 31g fat (16g saturated fat), 79mg cholesterol, 1121mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 22g protein. 7/56 Cheesy Pepperoni Buns 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Cheesy Pepperoni Buns Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A pizza version of the sloppy joe, this hot and melty open-faced sandwich is a surefire kid pleaser.
Adults love it, too!
Adults love it, too! —Tanya Belt, Newcomerstown, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 2 open-faced sandwiches: 280 calories, 14g fat (6g saturated fat), 46mg cholesterol, 612mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 18g protein. 8/56 Spaghetti Squash Meatball Casserole 17 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: One of our favorite comfort-food dinners is spaghetti and meatballs. We’re crazy about this lighter, healthier version that features so many veggies. It has the same beloved flavors with more nutritious ingredients! —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 304 calories,
Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 fat, 1-1/2 starch
14g fat (6g saturated fat), 69mg cholesterol, 590mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 4g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 fat, 1-1/2 starch. 9/56 Chicken Parmesan Burgers 10 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chicken Parmesan Burgers Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A restaurant-quality burger that’s topped with marinara and loaded with cheese—what’s not to love? Fresh basil adds even more flavor if you’d like. —Brooke Petras, Alpine, California Nutrition Facts: 1 burger: 603 calories, 33g fat (10g saturated fat), 108mg cholesterol, 1275mg sodium,
41g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 3g fiber), 38g protein
41g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 3g fiber), 38g protein. 10/56 Shrimp Alfredo 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Easy Shrimp Alfredo Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Instead of buying a jar of sauce, make it from scratch for this easy shrimp Alfredo recipe. The garlic aroma will call your family to the table. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 788 calories, 51g fat (31g saturated fat), 317mg cholesterol, 573mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 38g protein. 11/56 Vegetable Lasagna 9
It’s absolutely packed with veggies
Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I cooked up this fresh lasagna for vegetarian customers at a local grocery store, where I work part-time. It’s absolutely packed with veggies. —Sam Hunsaker, Lawrence, Kansas Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 432 calories, 19g fat (7g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 857mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 7g fiber), 20g protein. 12/56 Decadent Spinach-Stuffed Shells 1 Review Decadent Spinach-Stuffed Shells Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the
13/56 Simple Pasta Sauce 2 Reviews Test
Recipe Creator: This comforting dish can easily be assembled and frozen to bake at a later date. If you have any leftover cheese mixture, it can be served as a dip, either cold or spooned into ramekins and baked until browned. If you don’t like roasted red peppers, feel free to use chopped sun-dried tomatoes in the filling and any other pasta sauce instead. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 3 stuffed pasta shells: 389 calories, 22g fat (13g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 707mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 14g protein. 13/56 Simple Pasta Sauce 2 Reviews Test
Puree this recipe for pizza sauce or a great dipping sauce
Kitchen Approved Simple Pasta Sauce Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is a simple pasta sauce that you can use for more than just spaghetti. Puree this recipe for pizza sauce or a great dipping sauce. I also like to make a variation for bruschetta by omitting the olive oil, using fire-roasted diced tomatoes and simply combining the uncooked ingredients. Refrigerate for at least two hours before serving on toasts. —Deborah Markwood, Chester, Virginia Nutrition Facts: 1/2 cup: 69 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat),
0 cholesterol, 407mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein
0 cholesterol, 407mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein. Check out these other pasta sauce types that are popular in our Test Kitchen. 14/56 Sausage and Spinach Tortellini Soup 18 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved ALEJANDRO MONFORT FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 40 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband’s grandmother made this soup with her own homemade sausage and tortellini. We don’t make those ingredients these days, but we’re so happy to have the passed-down recipe—this version is almost as good as hers. It’s also an excellent way to get
the kids to eat spinach!
the kids to eat spinach! —Joyce Lulewicz, Brunswick, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1-3/4 cups: 354 calories, 19g fat (8g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 1360mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 23g protein. 15/56 Tortellini with Sausage and Mascarpone 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Tortellini with Sausage and Mascarpone Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 18 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When I crave Italian comfort food on a busy night and don’t have a lot of time to cook, this dish is a lifesaver. It’s fast and yummy and starts with a
premade jarred sauce
premade jarred sauce. You can have it on the table in less time than a takeout order. —Gerry Vance, Millbrae, California Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 637 calories, 37g fat (17g saturated fat), 113mg cholesterol, 1040mg sodium, 57g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 4g fiber), 24g protein. 16/56 Ham Ravioli Bake 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Ham Ravioli Bake Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I based this recipe on a dish my husband likes to order when we go out for Italian food. Not only does he love
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
Chicken Parmesan Burgers 10 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chicken Parmesan Burgers Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A restaurant-quality burger that’s topped with marinara and loaded with cheese—what’s not to love?
Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.
⭐ Expert Tips
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Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.
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Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.
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Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.
✅ Key Takeaways
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These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.
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Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.
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Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.
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