How to Turn a Jar of Spaghetti Sauce Into a Real Ranch Dinner
We’re all for cooking from scratch, but let’s be honest, January nights are cold, the days are short, and sometimes dinner just needs to be easy. That’s where a good jar of spaghetti sauce and a pound of quality ground beef can save the day.
The trick isn’t starting over, it’s building flavor.
Download our Ranch Spaghetti with Meat Sauce recipe here!
Start With the Beef
Everything begins with the meat. Brown one pound of our pasture-raised ground beef or ground pork over medium heat. Don’t rush this step. Let it get a little color; that browning is flavor. Season with salt and pepper as it cooks.
If you’ve got it on hand, add a chopped onion or a clove of garlic. If not, no worries. Good beef can carry the dish on its own.
Wake Up Your Spaghetti Sauce!
Once the beef is browned, pour in your jar of sauce. Even the best jarred sauces benefit from a little love. Add:
- A splash of water, broth, or red wine to loosen it up
- A sprinkle of dried oregano or Italian seasoning
- A small spoonful of butter or olive oil for richness
Let it simmer, low and slow, for at least 20 minutes. The longer it bubbles, the better it gets.
Finish Like a Ranch Kitchen
Taste before serving. Need more salt? Add it. Too acidic? A pinch of sugar or a splash of cream can mellow it out. Finish with grated cheese and serve it over pasta and eat with Love and Sourdough’s amazing bread, or spoon it onto garlic bread, or freeze leftovers for another cold night.
Around here, we believe good meals don’t have to be complicated. They just need good ingredients and a little patience. And when you start with quality ground beef, even a jar of sauce can turn into something worth sitting down for.