5 Ways To Improve Store-Bought Tomato Sauce (Slideshow)

Add Meat

For a heartier sauce to turn into a meal, add ground meat like chicken, turkey, or sausage.

Add Vegetables

Adding vegetables, even whole tomatoes, gives the sauce a more interesting texture, and adding produce like eggplant or pepper, really enhances the flavor. 

Add Cheese

The addition of cheese to a sauce changes everything. It thickens the sauce and gives it a bolder flavor. We recommend adding ricotta, Parmesan, or pecorino, but feel free to add your favorite.  

Add Herbs or Spices

Like a little kick? Add some cayenne or red chili flakes. Want a more herbaceous sauce? Grab some fresh basil or oregano. Adding some fresh or sautéed garlic will also bring out the flavors that are already in the sauce. 

Add Other Liquids

Hot sauce is a great addition to a tomato base — the two just seem to go hand in hand. Think about a Bloody Mary and you'll see what we mean. Or, adding heavy cream will give the sauce a thicker, creamier texture, and if you add a splash of vodka to that  voilà! You have a vodka sauce.