5 Easy Ways To Level-Up Jarred Marinara, According to Reddit

As an Italian American, I can be a snob when it comes to using jarred marinara sauce—there’s no way store-bought sauces could be just as good as ones made from scratch!

However, as a young adult in need of a quick meal, I find myself reaching for premade sauces more and more.

While there are plenty of high-quality options, they’re not always in my budget, and those tend to need a little extra love. I have my techniques for doctoring up jarred marinara, and it turns out other home cooks have theirs, too.

On the r/cookingforbeginners Reddit thread, a user asked for tips on how to improve store-bought pasta sauce, and they received almost 200 responses. Here are the most notable from the bunch.

5 Ways To Level-Up Store-bought Pasta Sauce, According to Reddit

1. Worcestershire Sauce or Soy Sauce

These similar, inky-brown sauces were recommended several times in the thread. By adding either of the fermented condiments, your sauce will get an extra hit of tanginess, filling out those sweet and salty flavors. “A teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce or soy will give it a nice boost of umami. It’s a must for all tomato-based sauces for me,” said one Redditor.

2. Red Wine

Red wine was one of the most recommended ways to upgrade jarred sauce—either by adding a splash into the mix or by taking it one step further. If you plan on sautéing any ingredients for an additional flavor boost, use red wine to deglaze the pan and scrape up the leftover bits stuck on the skillet. Either way, the alcohol adds richness to the sauce and neutralizes acidity to enhance its overall flavor.

3. Honey

When checking the label on store-bought marinara sauce, there is often an ingredient you wouldn’t expect: sugar. It works to elevate the sweetness of the tomatoes and combat any sourness.  When I saw that one Redditor recommended honey, I recognized it as an attempt to include a more natural sweetener, especially one that can contribute to a smoother consistency.

4. Pesto

Multiple Redditors suggested adding a spoonful of pesto to your sauce, a trick that I have been using for years. Packed with olive oil, basil, garlic, and cheese, pesto adds a concentrated amount of fresh flavors that are often lacking in jarred sauce. This is by far one of my favorite upgrades.

5. Cocoa powder

One Redditor recommended adding a touch of cocoa powder. This is actually the secret ingredient to my family’s homemade chili recipe, and I also see the appeal it could bring to store-bought marinara sauce (after all, our chili does call for three cans of diced tomatoes). With this tip, expect a slightly bitter undertone that cuts through the sharp tomato taste.