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Semi-homemade Spaghetti Sauce

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Recipe and directions for spaghetti sauce that tastes like it simmered all day long

I majored in culinary arts before I had children. Unfortunately, my kids' tastes are more McDonald's than 5 star restaurant. In order to keep everyone happy, I began developing and tweaking recipes that are easy to make, and both kid and adult friendly. Plus, most of my recipes are prepared with at least one store bought pre-made item. I'm like that lady on Food Network, only poorer.

If you are looking for a great meal for dinner tonight, look no further. I created this main dish recipe from one I learned while in school. I needed something yummy and fast that both my kids would eat. This is the quick, easy and delicious recipe that resulted. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

The Ingredients

Everything you need to make great spaghetti

Everything you need to make great spaghetti

1 jar of Prego spaghetti sauce (my brand preference, choose your favorite flavor)
**** You will need a food processor or the willingness to double or triple mince the following:***
1/2 stalk celery ( I know this seems strange, but TRUST me!)
1/2 carrot (peeled)
1/4 cup onion
1-2 cloves of garlic
(Hint: Try cutting the above veggies into bite size pieces before putting them in the food processor.)
Place all vegetables in food processor and run till it is the size of risotto or rice
2 tbl extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup of parmesan cheese
1 tbl. sugar
Pasta (Linguine is delicious)

The Directions

This sauce can be prepared as a meatless sauce, with ground beef, or meatballs Serves 4

In saucepan, heat the oil on medium, adding carrot, celery, onion and garlic. Cook till onion is almost translucent, being careful not to burn the garlic. Add jar of spaghetti sauce, cheese and sugar. Bring to slow boil and reduce to simmer, cover and let cook 15-20 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare pasta according to directions on package. Serve over linguine

***If you want to use ground beef, omit some of the oil and add vegetables once meat is brown. Follow through with rest of recipe.***

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A cooking video....

Not MY cooking video, but at least she is using Prego (see recipe if confused...)

Simple spaghetti recipe
by GMTV | video info

83 ratings | 76,013 views
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  • JonasX Sep 2, 2011 @ 8:54 pm | delete
    You know if you replaced with jar of Ragu, with Can Diced Tomatoes, or Tomato Puree, you'd essentially be making a REAL marinara sauce, and most traditional marinara sauces aren't that complex. You got a good veggie flavor base in the "trinity) (Onions, carrot, celery), then add garlic. You'd just have to season it some with salt, black pepper, maybe a tad bit of oregano or basil at the end and call it a day. Good job, just an FYI for the readers if they wanted to experiment. ;)
  • gurlgonewired Sep 6, 2011 @ 7:51 am | delete
    This actually was a marinara sauce recipe that I tweaked out to make it faster to prepare. BC (before children), I used to make this with tomato sauce and paste instead of prego/ragu.
  • The_Health_Lady Sep 17, 2010 @ 4:10 pm | delete
    I'll have to try the celery in the sauce. I have not heard about this before but it does sound very good.
  • x3xsolxdierx3x May 2, 2009 @ 3:54 pm | delete
    lol.....for a second there, I thought that picture of the little boy, "eating" spaghetti in his high chair, was actually me from when i was younger...lol :) great lens and five stars :)
  • OhMe Apr 10, 2009 @ 9:40 am | delete
    Oh me! I haven't had some good spaghetti in a long time. My hubby doesn't like it so we never have it here. I may have to just make me some just for me. Great recipe and I will look forward to trying it. Thanks.
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