Cheater Spaghetti

It seems that, lately,  there has been an extra lot of questions, posts, & discussion about quick weeknight meals. Well, last night, as I found myself short on time until dinner and in desperate need of a grocery store trip,  I went to one of my "go-to's". I call it "Cheater Spaghetti"
I use one of the inexpensive, bottom shelf cans of spaghetti sauce and doctor
it up a bit until it tastes more like I enjoy my sauce.

 

I'm going to warn you ahead of time. I thought to post late, so I only used my phone to take pictures.

I am a home cook that hates to measure. I know what my family likes so there is a lot of

a little of this and a little of that.

The good news, this recipe is so easily transformed into what you and your family like that the measurements don't matter!

Here we go...

 

 

 

I start with half a large onion, diced. And a couple cloves of garlic. Or in this case

a really big honkin' clove. Finely chop the garlic.

Sauté the onion in olive oil. Add garlic, just for a minute, when the onion is done.

 

Next, add in one pound your favorite sausage and brown.

 

Drain off the sausage so your sauce doesn't wind up greasy.

Now comes the fun part!

(and this is where I got bad at the picture part)

 

Pour in 1/2 to 1 cup of a full bodied red wine. I used a Pinot Noir

this time. I have also used a Cab.

The most important thing here it to use something that you won't mind

enjoying while you eat your dinner.

Let the wine reduce by at least half.

Pour in the sauce and a couple tablespoons of the Worcestershire sauce.

Next, add in your favorite Italian type seasonings. I used garlic, onion powder,

Italian Seasoning mix, chili powder and chili pepper flakes.

What's with the Baking Soda?

I find that these pre-made sauces tend to be on the more acidic side.

Adding about 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon of baking soda will help to reduce that

acidity.

(Just fyi, if you do this be prepared for your sauce to bubble/fizz up. Don't panic, it will

return to its normal state in just a moment.)

 

Here's what it looks like once the fizz has subsided.

 

Stir in a sprinkle of Parmesan Cheese for the nutty undertones.

At this point you are done! This can simmer for a couple of hours or while you

cook your pasta.

 

Serve with a salad and some garlic bread.

Enjoy!

 

So this is it, one of my quick weeknight meals.

Hope you enjoy it!

Amy G.