Kicked Up Jar Sauce Thick and Chunky

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Transform your store-bought marinara into a hearty, flavor-packed masterpiece with this "Kicked Up Jar Sauce Thick and Chunky" recipe! Bursting with sautéed vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, and bell peppers, and enhanced by the depth of garlic, fresh herbs, and a touch of tomato paste, this sauce achieves a homemade taste with minimal effort. A touch of Italian seasoning and optional red pepper flakes bring just the right amount of kick, while a simmering technique melds the ingredients into an irresistibly rich, chunky texture. Perfect for tossing with pasta, layering in a lasagna, or serving as a robust dipping sauce, this quick, 30-minute recipe is a versatile upgrade for busy weeknights or casual entertaining.

Recipe Information

• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 30 min
• Total Time: 45 min
• Servings: 6 servings
• Difficulty: Medium

🥘 Ingredients

14 items

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
• 1 medium carrot, finely grated
• 1 cup button mushrooms, chopped
• 1 small zucchini, diced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 24 ounces jarred marinara sauce
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
• 0.25 cup parmesan cheese, grated (optional, for serving)

📝 Instructions

10 steps

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.

2. Add the diced onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until translucent.

3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

4. Add the diced green bell pepper, grated carrot, chopped mushrooms, and diced zucchini. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables soften.

5. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning and crushed red pepper flakes, stirring to evenly coat the vegetables.

6. Pour in the jarred marinara sauce and add the tomato paste. Stir well to combine.

7. Lower the heat to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.

8. Stir in the fresh parsley and basil just before serving.

9. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Optionally, top with grated parmesan cheese.

10. Serve over pasta, use in lasagna, or enjoy as a dipping sauce!

Nutrition Facts

1 serving (223.1g)

Calories		165
% Daily Value*
Total Fat		8.7 g	11%
	Saturated Fat	2.2 g	11%
	Polyunsaturated Fat	0.0 g
Cholesterol		5 mg	2%
Sodium		502 mg	22%
Total Carbohydrate		17.0 g	6%
	Dietary Fiber	3.6 g	13%
	Total Sugars	8.9 g
Protein		6.0 g	12%
Vitamin D		0.1 mcg	0%
Calcium		114 mg	9%
Iron		1.6 mg	9%
Potassium		560 mg	12%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 475 cal (46.4%%)

Protein: 142 cal (13.9%%)

Carbs: 407 cal (39.7%%)