60 Dinners That Start with a Jar of Pasta Sauce

Just because you start with a jar of pasta sauce doesn’t mean you can’t end up with an amazing homemade meal! Grab a jar of the good stuff and combine it with fresh ingredients like spinach, mushrooms and sausage to make a satisfying supper. Not sure which brand of spaghetti sauce to buy? Check out the brands our editors and the Taste of Home Test Kitchen recommend.

This baked lasagna is far better tasting than any store-bought version. Ham and spinach combine for fabulous flavor. —Delia Kennedy, Deer Park, Washington

I’m always looking for dinners that I can put together quickly. I re-created a favorite pasta dish from an Italian restaurant by using grocery store convenience products. Add crusty bread and a salad for a complete meal. —Christine Ward, Austin, Texas

My kids love to stuff spiral pasta inside bread for a clever dinner torte. We save the bread crusts to make garlicky croutons for salad. —Melissa Birdsong, Waleska, Georgia

A couple of nights a week our family ends up eating in shifts because everyone is going every which way, all at the same time. Having a hearty soup simmering in the slow cooker is an easy way to give them all a warm meal. —Susan Stetzel, Gainesville, New York

When I want a lighter dinner, I use lean turkey bacon in this recipe. It gives the pasta that richness you want without all the extra fat. —Courtney Harris, Denton, Texas

This is a super fun way to serve lasagna for make-ahead lunches, potlucks or other fun get-togethers. My daughter took some of these to work and by noon was emailing me for the recipe. —Sally Kilkenny, Granger, Iowa

This satisfying baked spaghetti recipe is quick to make and will please young and old alike. Add a salad and breadsticks, and you’re ready for company. —Betty Rabe, Mahtomedi, Minnesota

Sliders are the perfect finger food for any get-together, and this flavorful chicken Parmesan version won’t disappoint. —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado

When my husband travels for work, I make a special dinner for my kids to keep their minds off missing Daddy. This tasty mostaccioli is meatball magic. —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan

After a day of simmering in the slow-cooker, this ragu is not your typical spaghetti sauce. It’s almost like a stew, so feel free to skip the pasta. —Laurie LaClair, North Richland Hills, Texas

I love to make this dish whenever I need to bring a dish to pass. Fresh tomatoes add a nice touch that’s missing from most other meat, pasta and tomato casseroles.—Karla Johnson, East Helena, Montana

In southeastern Wisconsin, our cuisine is influenced by both Germans and Italians who immigrated to this area. When preparing this recipe, we usually substitute German bratwurst for the Italian sausage, so we blend the two influences with delicious results. —Craig Wachs, Racine, Wisconsin

This recipe is so versatile! Look in your fridge for anything else you want to throw in, like red pepper, mushrooms, extra zucchini—you name it. And if you’re a vegetarian, go ahead and leave out the chicken. —Stephanie Loaiza, Layton, Utah

These tender manicotti are much easier to stuff than the purchased variety. People are always amazed when I say I make my own noodles. My son fixed this recipe for several of his friends, and they were extremely impressed with his cooking skills. —Sue Ann Bunt, Painted Post, New York

Growing up, this was the meal I always wanted on my birthday. Mother made the sauce from scratch, but I use store-bought spaghetti sauce to save time. Replace the ground beef with Italian sausage if you want more spice. —Deb Morrison, Skiatook, Oklahoma

With its angel hair pasta crust, this cheesy ground beef, tomato and spinach pie is always a hit when I serve it. Each neat slice has layers of pasta, cream cheese filling and spinach topping. —Carol Hicks Pensacola, Florida

When the Packers play the Bears, I always plan a party and make sure this is on the menu. Using the slow cooker means I can get to watch the game, too! I serve the chicken on submarine rolls with a bit of the sauce and some chopped lettuce. Or cut the chicken breasts in half and make sliders. —Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin

This is hands-down one of the best skillet lasagna recipes our testing panel has ever tasted. With classic flavors and cheesy layers, it’s definitely kid-friendly. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

What do you get when you combine macaroni and cheese with pizza fixings? This hearty, family-pleasing casserole! It’s so easy and so tasty. —Nancy Porterfield, Gap Mills, West Virginia

This yummy baked spaghetti casserole will be requested again and again for potlucks and family gatherings. It’s especially popular with my grandchildren, who just love baked spaghetti with all the cheese. —Louise Miller, Westminster, Maryland

Stovetop chicken and gnocchi recipes like this one make for a homey dinner in a hurry. Personalize it with your own favorite sauce and seasonings. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

When my husband and I wanted to live healthier, our first step was to eat more power foods, such as whole grains, fresh veggies and protein. Combined with our love for Italian food, this tasty lasagna is one of the nutritious results.—Jennifer Yaden, Richmond, Kentucky

My dad cooked with cast-iron skillets, so when I do, I remember his amazing culinary skills. I keep the tradition going with my veggie pasta. —Sonya Goergen, Moorhead, Minnesota

My ground beef hot dish is a family pleaser. We love the combination of ingredients.—Barbara Hopkins, Lusby, Maryland

Perfect for tailgating, you can make the meatballs and sauce for these sliders ahead of time and heat them up at home on game day. Put ’em on rolls in the parking lot. —Hilary Breinholt, Glenwood, Utah

I created this creamy pasta dish when I needed to use up some marinara. Red pepper flakes give it a little heat, which my family loves. It’s super versatile, so try it with chicken or stir in some fresh basil, too. —Lorri Stout, Gaithersburg, Maryland

When you taste this casserole, you’ll think it came from a complicated, from-scratch recipe. Really, though, it starts with frozen ravioli and has only three other ingredients. —Patricia Smith, Asheboro, North Carolina

I thought up this recipe while I was driving home from work. The local paper started a new reader recipe feature, so I sent this in, and I was published! Warm up some bread, pour the chardonnay and enjoy. —Tami Voltz, Rudolph, OH

As part of a prize I won for a recipe contest, I received a slow cooker. I hadn’t used one in years, so I didn’t have any recipes on hand. This tasty beef was my first creation, and it was a hit with my family. —Julie Merriman, Seattle, Washington

My cheesy, noodle-y lasagna makes any slow-cooker skeptic a believer. It’s easy to prep while my kids nap, and dinner’s ready when their dad walks in the door at night. We bring more pesto and marinara to the table for our resident sauce lovers. —Blair Lonergan, Rochelle, VA

I was hosting a baby shower and wanted to serve something everyone would enjoy. I created this recipe on a whim, so I was totally surprised that it turned out to be such a hit. —Tia Woodley, Stockbridge, Georgia

I created this lasagna, combining two family favorite dishes, for our family’s Christmas celebration. It was extra special because my parents had just come back from a trip to Italy. —Deborah Loop, Clinton Township, Michigan

Escape from the ordinary! Smoked sausage and fire-roasted spaghetti sauce add nice flavor to this pasta dish. Look for fire-roasted sauce on the shelf with traditional spaghetti sauces. —Jean Komlos, Plymouth, Michigan

At my house, we never know how many we’ll have for dinner. That’s why this spaghetti sauce is one of my favorites – flavorful, filling and fast. Smoked kielbasa gives it depth, and salsa adds the kick. —Bella Anderson, Chester, South Carolina

Panini are sandwiches that are pressed and toasted. I love making them for my fellow teachers and friends. For potlucks, make several and cut them into fourths. The sandwiches work well as an appetizer for any occasion. —Martha Muellenberg, Vermillion, South Dakota

I threw this recipe together one day when we had unexpected guests. It was an immediate hit and is now a family favorite. Get the kids involved when putting together this simple, savory dish. —Dolores Betchner, Cudahy, Wisconsin

“I first made this meal-in-one when I had unexpected guests,” recalls Bernice Janowski of Stevens Point, Wisconsin. “It’s popular when I’m in a hurry, because it takes minutes to assemble.”

My husband and I love lasagna, but it’s time-consuming to build and we always end up with too much. Using frozen ravioli solves everything. —Pamela Nicholson, Festus, Missouri

My friend Caroline Gray and I came up with this delicious slow-cooked chicken chili. It’s unusual because it calls for Alfredo sauce. —Cindi Mitchell, St. Marys, Kansas

This familiar Italian-style entree comes together in a snap. It’s a comforting dish that says “home” to my family and is easy to freeze and have on hand. —Carolyn Henderson, Maple Plain, Minnesota

I modified my mom’s classic Polish dish to fit my hectic life. Instead of boiling the cabbage and then filling it with beef, I just toss the ingredients in the slow cooker. It’s much easier and tastes just as good. —Mary Walker, Clermont, Florida

One night friends on a tight schedule stopped by. I wanted them to stay for dinner, but I needed to fix something in short order. So, I created these savory spiral roll-ups, which feature a creamy three-cheese filling. They taste like lasagna, but bake in a fraction of the time. —Julia Trachsel Victoria, British Columbia

After tasting a similar soup at a restaurant, I created this quick and tasty version. —Deanna Smith, Des Moines, Iowa

Whenever my husband digs in to this pasta casserole full of Italian sausage and veggies, he gets a big smile on his face. I love that! —Jane Davis, Marion, Indiana

This is my own personal recipe. I’m very proud of it because I am still a beginner cook and it was the first recipe I created. You can adjust it to your liking by doubling the spinach or adding some meat. —Laci Hooten, McKinney, Texas

My family is from Argentina, which has a strong Italian heritage and large cattle ranches. One of our favorite Argentinian recipes is this all-in-one lasagna packed with meat, cheese and veggies. —Sylvia Maenenr, Omaha, Nebraska

This is my husband’s favorite dish. He always requests it, even for holidays! You’ll love the variety of cheeses and spices that jazz it up. It’s restaurant-quality, but at a quarter of the price! —LuAnne Wallace Bennett, Powder Springs, Georgia

Whole wheat noodles and zucchini pump up nutrition in this delicious, family-friendly dinner. Topped with dollops of ricotta cheese, it has an extra touch of decadence. No one will believe this one’s lighter. —Lorie Miner, Kamas, Utah

Grandfather loved pirate stories and good pasta. When we make his stuffed shells, it reminds us of his favorite tropical places and adventures. —Kathy Noll, Laureldale, Pennsylvania

I had ground beef and veggies on hand so I came up with this pizza-flavored casserole. I never expected my family to love it so much. It’s a good way to sneak in some extra veggies for the kids. —Jennifer Wise, Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania

In the kitchen, my husband and I like to use classic ingredients in new ways. I came up with this lasagna one day and haven’t made another type since. We love it! —Charlotte Gehle, Brownstown, Michigan

My family loves this flavorful casserole with hearty chunks of sausage and green pepper. The recipe makes a big pan, so it’s nicely sized for a potluck. —Carol Carolton, Wheaton, Illinois

My Italian lasagna roll-ups are not complicated; they require only basic ingredients to assemble. Prepared spaghetti sauce helps me save time and get dinner on the table sooner. —Mary Lee Thomas, Logansport, Indiana

Shortcut lasagna bails me out when I’m in a frenzy to serve dinner. A leafy salad and buttery garlic toast round out the meal. —Donna Booth, Tomahawk, Kentucky

This recipe is healthy yet satisfying, quick yet delicious. I can have a hearty meal on the table in under 30 minutes, and it’s one that my children will gobble up! If you are not fond of kale, stir in baby spinach or chopped broccoli instead. —Kim Van Dunk, Caldwell, New Jersey

On especially cold winter days, my family loves this with mild Italian sausage. I agree about the cold days, but I prefer a spicy sausage blend, which gives it a bit of a zing. —Cindi DeClue, Anchorage, Alaska

When a girlfriend came home from the hospital with her newborn, I sent over this freezer casserole. She and her family raved over how good it was. Try substituting olives for mushrooms or using veal instead of chicken. —Jamie Valocchi, Mesa, Arizona

It takes a little longer to make baked spaghetti, but the difference in taste, texture and richness is well worth the time. I serve this lasagna-style dish with a tossed green salad and breadsticks for a hearty, healthy meal. —Betty Rabe, Mahtomedi, Minnesota

This heartwarming dish is something I threw together years ago for my oldest daughter. When she’s having a rough day, I put on the slow cooker and prepare this special recipe. —Mary Morgan, Dallas, Texas