Most everybody loves pasta, but making it from scratch isn’t always feasible. Unfortunately, though, many jarred pasta sauces lack flavor. Don’t fret, though. There are plenty of ways to improve the flavor of jarred pasta sauce, particularly vodka sauce. Keep reading to learn how to make jarred vodka sauce better.
How to Make Jarred Vodka Sauce Better
Choose the Right Sauce
Before even beginning to think about improving your jar of vodka sauce, you’ve got to make sure you have chosen a good jar. There are lots of jarred sauces available for purchase, so it’s important that you pick one that tastes good. It’s easy to improve a good jar of pasta, but it’s a lot tougher to improve a bad one.
Look for a jar of vodka sauce that has ingredients close to a traditional recipe. This will have the best chance of most closely resembling the taste and texture of a homemade sauce.
Add Veggies
Once you have a jar of vodka sauce, adding vegetables is one of the easiest ways to improve it. A vodka sauce is a very versatile pasta sauce, so many different vegetables will taste good with it.
Of course, using typical pasta vegetables will be great, like tomatoes and spinach. But don’t be afraid to try something outside of your comfort zone and add veggies that might not be quite as expected, like peppers or collard greens. Vodka sauce can be easily improved with just a few vegetable additions.
You can sauté your vegetables and add vodka sauce right in the pan, but you can just as easily bake your veggies and pour the sauce on after. Either way, veggies will be a welcome addition and improve the taste of your jarred vodka sauce.
Add Meat
Once again, vodka sauce is very versatile, and it will taste great with a variety of different meats. You could pair it with chicken, sausage, or some ground turkey or beef. Again, like with the vegetables, don’t be afraid to get creative with what meats you pair with your vodka sauce.
Add Seasonings
Don’t be afraid to doctor up your vodka sauce a bit. Just because it’s in a jar doesn’t mean it has all of the spices that you want. In fact, it probably won’t be quite as flavorful as you’re hoping for.
Take a look at a homemade, traditional recipe of vodka sauce, or look at the ingredients that the jar already has and consider what may be missing or what flavors you could add. You may want to toss in some basil, oregano, or even a bit of Italian seasoning to make it easier. You could also add some red pepper chili flakes for a little spice, and, of course, don’t forget salt and pepper.
Switch Up the Pasta
If you’re using a jar of vodka sauce, chances are you are serving it over pasta. One super simple way to enhance the flavor of your jarred vodka sauce, or to at least give you some versatility, is by switching up what pasta you serve.
Try penne one day and some rotini the next. The options are truly limitless.
Add Fresh Herbs
When you first hear to add seasonings, your mind likely goes straight to dried seasonings. And although dried seasonings are convenient and get the job done, nothing beats fresh herbs when it comes to pasta.
Once you’ve simmered your sauce and tossed your noodles and other ingredients in it, top it off with some fresh herbs. A few basil leaves, chopped chiffonade, or even a couple of teaspoons of chopped parsley, will add freshness and bring out the natural flavors in the vodka sauce.
Enhance the Standard Ingredients
Making a jarred vodka sauce better is all about enhancing the ingredients that are already there. This is as simple as looking at the ingredients in the jar and just adding a few more of what’s already there.
If you think the jar of sauce could use a little more vodka taste, add some vodka. If you think it doesn’t have enough salt or pepper, add more. It’s a super simple way to make your vodka sauce just a little bit more flavorful.
Bake with It
There’s no reason you have to only use your vodka sauce with pasta. You can also bake with it. For example, if you like to bake chicken in pasta sauce, vodka sauce is a great place to start. Get a baking dish and soak your chicken breasts in vodka sauce to give them tons of flavor and moisture.
You can also put it in the crockpot for a few hours and shred the chicken when it’s cooked, leaving you with a totally tasty and easy meal that can be paired with rice, noodles, vegetables, and the like.
Use it For Other Pasta Dishes
Don’t think that vodka sauce has to be exclusively used for penne à la vodka. Get creative and have it with other pasta dishes entirely. You may want to try a vodka sauce lasagna or use it in ravioli.
Pair it With Vegetable Noodles
There’s no rule saying you must only serve pasta sauce with traditional noodles. In this day and age, there are endless ways to have interesting noodles.
If you have a spiralizer, get creative. You can, of course, have the classic zucchini noodles or even carrot noodles. But you can also use other vegetables and squashes, too. Try making noodles with eggplant or regular squash.
If you don’t have your own spiralizer, no worries. There are tons of vegetable noodle options available for purchase at the store. You may be able to find them fresh, but there are also some that are frozen and just as delectable. You can also forego the spiralized noodles altogether and use spaghetti squash.
No matter what you use, it’ll bring freshness to your vodka sauce and serve as a healthy meal option.
Frequently Asked Questions
In this section, you’ll find targeted advice on elevating your jarred vodka sauce, transforming it with richer flavors, creamier textures, and tips to achieve that sought-after homemade taste.
How can I enhance the flavor of store-bought vodka sauce?
To enhance the flavor, consider sautéing some garlic and shallots in olive oil before adding the sauce to your pan. A pinch of red pepper flakes can also add depth with a hint of spice.
What ingredients can I add to my vodka sauce to give it a richer texture?
For a richer texture, blend in heavy cream or mascarpone cheese. You could also stir in grated Parmesan cheese until it beautifully melts into the sauce.
Are there any secrets to improving pre-made vodka sauce for pasta dishes?
Fresh herbs like basil or oregano can work wonders, as can a splash of good quality olive oil or a dollop of real butter to finish off the sauce, giving your pasta dishes an authentic flavor boost.
What are some simple tricks to make jarred vodka sauce taste homemade?
Simmering the sauce with a bay leaf and adding a small amount of sugar can reduce acidity. Incorporating freshly chopped tomatoes can also add freshness and make the sauce taste homemade.
How do I adjust the consistency of vodka sauce to make it creamier?
If you’re aiming for a creamier consistency, add a small amount of whole milk or cream while heating the sauce. Keep stirring to ensure it blends well without curdling.
Can you suggest ways to modify a basic vodka sauce recipe for a more gourmet meal?
Try incorporating sautéed pancetta or prosciutto for a smoky flavor. A splash of white wine cooked down before adding the sauce can lend an elegant twist to your gourmet meal.