Simple hacks to store bought spaghetti sauce makes this a sublime, satisfying meal. I had this first at a Telugu friend's place - she tweaked a storebought ragu sauce with some Indian spices, and chili powder and I loved it. As a new immigrant who wasn't used to eating sweetish tomato sauce with pasta, this made it very palatable. Not just palatable, but it became a family favorite, when I added some vegetables - fresh carrots, spinach, broccoli... Try it! It comes in handy on those busy nights, but you won't feel guilty about opening a jar of store bought sauce.

Cook Time | 15 minutes |
Servings |
servings
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Ingredients
- 1 jar ready to use pasta sauce Or: use a couple of cans of peeled, crushed tomatoes and some tomato paste
- 1/4 cup Extra virgin olive oil good, fruity brand
- 2-3 crushed garlic cloves,
- 1 tsp chili powder less or more per your heat tolerance
- 1/2 cup carrots in sticks, or circles
- 1/2 bunch baby spinach
- 1 tsp coarse salt
- 1/2 cup Fresh Basil
- 1 tsp italian herbs Use if making fresh pasta sauce, optional if using store bought sauce
- 1 packet spaghetti of your choice
Ingredients
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Instructions
- Boil water for the pasta, add salt to season
- Heat a sauce pan, add the olive oil and let it heat up
- When not too hot, add the crushed garlic
- Don't let the garlic burn or get brown; add the carrots, and any other vegetable you're using (not spinach at this stage)
- Add the chili powder, and salt for the carrots, and saute for about 3-4 minutes, until carrots are slightly tender
- Add the pasta sauce now, and the spinach and simmer on low heat
- While the sauce is simmering, cook pasta in the boiling water per package instructions
- When the pasta is ready, remove from the pot with a pasta ladle, and add directly into the sauce
- Mix everything up and garnish with plenty of fresh basil
- Serve with grated fresh parmesan or any cheese of your choice; I served with no cheese, with a tall glass of ice cold milk
Recipe Notes
I have made this recipe since the kids were in middle school, and it's a much loved easy dinner on busy week nights. My daughter loves this with a glass of ice cold milk. Carrots and spinach are my son's favorites in this recipe, and I love that it makes them eat healthy.
Supplement with bread, and a green salad for a total balanced meal!
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