Back-to-school season always feels like a juggling act. Trying to get kids back into a routine, helping with homework, running to after-school activities and the endless shuffle of work and childcare schedules is an abrupt shift from the lazy summer routines. And in the midst of that chaos, dinner often becomes the hardest part of the day. That’s why easy, reliable meals are an absolute must. And when it comes to feeding a family, one of the most dependable, fan-favorite options is pasta—along with a jar of sauce. It's easy and customizable (throw in meat, veggies and any cheese you have) and comes together in a flash.As much as we love jarred sauce, we will admit that there's often some room for improvement in the flavor department. And thanks to a tip that we recently ran across on cookbook author Matthew Bounds' (@yourbarefootneighbor) TikTok page, our pasta night is going to get a whole lot better. All you need is one ingredient that you might already have in the pantry.Related:I Tried 13 Popular Jarred Alfredo Sauces and the Winner Was Abundantly Clear?? SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Parade Eats newsletter. ??
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The beauty of spaghetti lies in its simplicity, but sometimes that simplicity can leave the flavor feeling flat, especially if you’re relying on a basic jarred or canned sauce. Bounds’ clever upgrade is all about building depth with one extra step: cooking down a small can of tomato paste with your meat before adding the sauce.
Tomato paste is concentrated and slightly caramelizes when cooked, unlocking a deep, rich tomato flavor that enhances any sauce. Instead of just tasting sweet or acidic, your spaghetti becomes layered and savory, almost as though you simmered the sauce all day. It’s a small effort with a big payoff and it works with any type of sauce you’re making. Whether you’re using a jar of marinara, a can of store-brand spaghetti sauce or even a homemade recipe, this method instantly boosts the flavor to restaurant-quality.
It’s not fussy, which makes it a total win! Just brown your ground beef, sausage or turkey, add in the tomato paste, and stir until it darkens slightly and clings to the meat. Then pour in your sauce and let everything simmer. In less than 30 minutes, you’ve turned an everyday dinner into something special.
Related: How to Make a Jar of Pasta Sauce 10x Better, According to My Chef-Husband
Why This Trick Works (and How to Make It Your Own)
Tomato paste is a powerhouse ingredient because it’s essentially tomatoes in their most concentrated form. When you cook down the paste before adding the liquid, the natural sugars caramelize, cutting through the acidity while intensifying the umami. This is the same principle chefs use when layering flavors in soups and stews. It creates a rich, flavorful base that will give your jarred sauce so much more depth.
The best part is that this trick is endlessly adaptable. You can stick with the classic ground beef and spaghetti sauce, or you can branch out. Try ground Italian sausage for a spicier kick, or add diced onions, garlic or bell peppers to the meat before the tomato paste for even more flavor.
Stir in a splash of red wine after the paste cooks for a restaurant-style finish, or for a lighter version, use ground turkey with a tomato-basil sauce.
It’s also budget-friendly. A small can of tomato paste costs less than a dollar at most grocery stores, but the flavor impact feels gourmet. That makes it one of the easiest and cheapest ways to give your weeknight spaghetti a major upgrade.
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