Oh, marinara sauce—my kitchen’s unsung hero! I can’t tell you how many times it’s saved me from the brink of dinner disaster.
Just a few weeks ago, I was knee-deep in a chaotic Tuesday evening, with laundry piling up like Mount Everest and my dog barking at every leaf that dared drift past the window. My go-to?
A simmering pot of marinara sauce. There’s something magical about the way it bubbles away on the stove, filling the house with the comforting aroma of tomatoes, garlic, and basil.
It’s like a warm hug in a pot. Plus, it’s versatile!
You can toss it over spaghetti, slather it on a pizza, or even just dip some crusty bread in it (not that I ever do that. .
. ahem).
And can we talk about how it’s somehow both a lifesaver and a delicious indulgence? A culinary paradox, if you will.
Anyway, enough of my rambling—let’s get to the recipes that make weeknight dinners not just possible, but downright delightful.
Steps
- Gather five basic ingredients for a skillet dish, likely already in your pantry, and prepare for frequent use.
- For a quick baked ziti, incorporate jarred marinara to create a simplified lasagna-like meal.
- Serve Chicken Parmesan creatively by plating it over pasta, in a sub, or with a salad or vegetables.
- Prepare Chicken Parmesan in advance by assembling it a day early and refrigerating, then extend the bake time slightly.
- Chiffonade basil by stacking leaves, rolling them lengthwise, and slicing thinly from the end.
- Chicken Parmesan pairs well with spaghetti, but it also complements rice or crusty bread with a salad.
- Substitute marinara for pizza sauce in a pinch, and enhance your meal with buttered and cheesed breadsticks.
- Check pasta package directions and undercook by 1-2 minutes, as the shells will soften further during oven baking.
- Add zing to spaghetti by incorporating Italian sausage for a simple yet flavorful dish.
- Serve versatile meatballs over pasta, in hoagie rolls, or as party appetizers with toothpicks.
- Make flaky calzones using jarred marinara and store-bought pie crust for a quick meal or lunchbox treat.
- Opt for chicken thighs in a dish similar to Chicken Parmesan, offering a rich and comforting flavor.
- Create a meat-laden sheet pan pizza, ensuring a fun preparation with likely leftovers.
Ingredients
- 1 jar of marinara sauce
- 1 pound of pasta (such as ziti or spaghetti)
- 1 pound of chicken, preferably thighs
- 1 pack of Italian sausage
- 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 store-bought pie crust
- Fresh basil leaves
- Salt
- Pepper
- Olive oil
- Optional: bread for serving (sub roll, hoagie roll, or crusty bread)
FAQ
- Can I use marinara sauce for pizza instead of pizza sauce?
- Yes, marinara sauce can be a great substitute for pizza sauce. It works well in a pinch and delivers delicious flavor. For an extra treat, consider making some buttery, cheesy breadsticks to dip in any leftover marinara.
- How can I prepare Chicken Parmesan in advance?
- You can assemble Chicken Parmesan up to a day ahead. Simply cover it and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
- What’s the best way to chiffonade basil leaves?
- To chiffonade basil leaves, stack the leaves on top of each other, roll them lengthwise like a cigar, and then slice thinly from one end of the roll to the other.
- Can I use jarred marinara sauce for calzones?
- Absolutely! Jarred marinara sauce works well for calzones. To make the process even quicker, you can use a store-bought pie crust, resulting in a flaky and delicious meal.
- How do I avoid overcooking pasta when baking it in the oven?
- To prevent your pasta from becoming too soft during baking, check the package instructions for the cooking time and reduce it by 1-2 minutes before baking. This way, the pasta will finish cooking in the oven without becoming mushy.
Tips
- When preparing pasta dishes that will be baked, undercook the pasta by 1-2 minutes. This prevents the pasta from becoming overly soft during the baking process.
- If you’re using jarred marinara sauce for a pizza, try making extra dough, topping it with butter and cheese, and turning it into breadsticks. These can be an excellent addition to your meal when dipped in the leftover marinara sauce.
- For a quick and flavorful twist on traditional spaghetti, add some Italian sausage to the sauce. This adds a delightful zing and depth of flavor to your dish.
- Consider preparing your dish a day in advance and storing it in the refrigerator. This can make meal preparation more convenient, especially on busy weeknights. Just remember to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it’s been refrigerated.
Equipment
- Skillet – For making skillet recipes.
- Baking Dish – For dishes like baked ziti and other oven-baked recipes.
- Pizza Stone or Baking Sheet – For making sheet pan pizza.
- Chiffonade Knife – For slicing basil leaves thinly.
- Pie Crust Shield – If making calzones with a pie crust to prevent over-browning.
- Pasta Pot with Strainer – For cooking pasta efficiently.
