49 Dinners You Can Make with a Jar of Tomato Sauce
Cooking dinner at home is awesome in theory. (You’re so healthy! You’re saving so much money!) And then you think about all the ingredients you’ll need to buy. And the chopping. And the dishes. And then takeout suddenly seems like a way better idea. Wait—before you pick up the phone, check out these quick-and-easy dinner recipes that use jarred tomato sauce as a shortcut. You’ve got this.
1. Zoodles with Tomato Sauce and Mozzarella
Low-carb and gluten-free but still totally decadent.
2. Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Casserole
Bookmark this one for a rainy night.
3. Pepperoni Pasta Bake
Hearty, saucy and ridiculously easy.
4. Easy Ratatouille
Psst: It’s ready in under an hour.
5. Rigatoni Pasta Pie
Who says pumpkin and cherry get to have all the fun?
6. Eggplant Parm Casserole
In a word, yum.
7. Three-Ingredient Creamy Tomato Shells
It practically makes itself.
8. Baked Zucchini “Ziti” Spirals with Mozzarella
Go ahead, have seconds. (And thirds.)
9. Chicken Parmesan Baked Ziti
Two of our favorites in one? Be still our hearts.
10. Slow-Cooker Turkey Chili
Cornbread optional (but strongly encouraged).
11. Polenta and Meatballs
A new take on an old favorite.
12. Pepperoni Pizza Sliders
Ditto.
13. Creamy Caprese Quinoa Bake
This vegetarian main is secretly packed with protein.
14. Low-Carb, Gluten-Free Eggplant Pizza
In this household, there’s a three-slice minimum.
15. Classic Stuffed Peppers
Peppers > plates.
16. Pizza Muffins
The most amazing invention of all time (sorry, electricity).
17. Baking-Sheet Pizza with Olives and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Put this one-pan wonder in your weekly rotation.
18. Spaghetti Squash Casserole
Like pasta, but more delicious.
19. Baked Mozzarella Chicken Rolls
These little guys are the cutest.
20. Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta Bake
On the table in just 30 minutes.
21. Cheesy Chicken Taco Skillet
The cheesier, the better.
22. Vegetarian Skillet Lasagna
Are dishes your nemesis? Try this.
23. Sloppy Joe Sheet Pan Totchos
A little messy, but definitely worth it.
24. Minestrone Soup
Better than the canned stuff.
25. Mushroom Bolognese
Extra cheese, please.
26. Cheater’s Prosciutto Hawaiian Pizza
Major flavor, little work.
27. Chicken Pizzaiola
You had us at six ingredients.
28. Chicken Parmesan Grilled Cheese
This one speaks for itself.
29. Creamy Beef and Shells
The pasta dish of our dreams.
30. Tomato and Vegetable White Bean Soup
An ideal (and easy) way to eat your veggies.
31. Vegan Spaghetti Squash with Mushroom Marinara Sauce
No meat, no cheese, no problem.
32. One-Pan Spaghetti and Meatballs
This would make any Italian grandma proud.
33. Ravioli Lasagna
You’ll never go back to regular noodles.
34. Meal-Prep Turkey Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles
Start your timer for 35 minutes.
35. Slow-Cooker Deep-Dish Pizza
No trip to Chicago—or oven—required.
36. Chicken Parmesan Bites
Go ahead, indulge your inner child.
37. Cheater’s Sicilian-Style Pizza with Jalapeños and Honey
The secret? Store-bought focaccia.
38. Slow-Cooker Stuffed Shells
This one practically cooks itself.
39. Baked Ziti
It’s a weeknight classic for good reason.
40. Braised Chickpeas with Chard
Proof that pantry meals can be healthy too.
41. Hearty Spaghetti with Lentils and Marinara Sauce
Lentils make a mean substitute for ground beef.
42. Saucy Baked Pumpkin Pasta
Don’t save this one just for fall.
43. Baked Eggplant Parmesan
When messy deep frying isn’t in the cards.
44. Skillet Cheesy Chickpeas
It’s only five ingredients (and two are canned).
45. One-Pot 30-Minute Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta Bake
Enchilada sauce adds a hint of spice.
46. Tomato and White Bean Stew on Toast
Canned beans make it even faster.
47. Pizza Toast
Hello, lazy weeknight dinner.
48. Pasta Pomodoro with Chicken and Goat Cheese
You must be a fancy chef or something.
49. Chicken Parmesan Sliders
File this one under “crowd pleaser.”
Former Senior Food Editor
- Headed PureWow’s food vertical
- Contributed original reporting, recipes and food styling
- Studied English Literature at the University of Notre Dame and Culinary Arts at the Institute of Culinary Education
