Short on time for a healthy weeknight dinner? Keep a jar of store-bought or homemade marinara sauce in your pantry and you'll be able to create these delicious meals with just a few extra ingredients.
Spaghetti Squash with Marinara
Swap the noodles in a typical spaghetti-and-sauce dinner for hearty spaghetti squash. Scrape out the strands of baked squash with a fork and serve with marinara for a double dose of vegetables.
Spaghetti with Olives and Tomato Sauce
Giada spices up tomato sauce with red pepper flakes and pitted olives, then pours it over her favorite spaghetti. Use filling whole-grain pasta for a nuttier flavor.
Quick and Spicy Tomato Soup
Giada turns her tomato sauce into a quick tomato soup in about 15 minutes. Flavor the sauce with carrots, onion and garlic, then mix in chicken broth, small pasta and cannellini beans for a quick, hearty meal.
Pizza Pot Pie
These kid-friendly pot pies take a cue from another kid favorite: pizza. Fill them with chicken, broccoli, mozzarella and pasta sauce, then top off with a piece of store-bought pizza dough.
Eggs in Purgatory
This Italian classic is equally delicious for breakfast, brunch or a light dinner. Cook eggs slowly in a pool of prepared marinara, then top with a little Parmesan cheese and serve atop crusty Italian bread.
