If you’ve mastered a standard marinara for your family, you might be looking for ways to kick it up a notch. Whether for special occasions, or to permanently change your recipe, there are many things you can add into a sauce to give it a different angle.
Veggies:
Many veggies can be cooked right into your sauce, or sautéed and added later. Try extra garlic, or zucchini. Chunks of tomato will add a rustic edge. Or Spinach and mushrooms can turn a sauce into a whole different experience.
Herbs and Spices:
Depending on your tastes, or your crowd, you can add a variety of herbs and spices to basic marinara to jazz it up. Try chili powder or cayenne, for a kick! Add fresh basil or cilantro for a greener taste. Or add cumin and discover how your sauce will take on a Latin air.
Beans and TVP:
Add beans or textured vegetable proteins, to turn your basic marinara into a hearty, filling meal. White beans, famous in the Italian soup “pasta fagioli,” will take your sauce in a new direction (chickpeas and kidneys work well too!). Ground soy meat, or TVP will turn your sauce into the veggie equivalent of classic Italian Meat Sauce. Or add chopped up soy bacon, or bacon bits to create a “Carbonara” tasting sauce.
Wines, Oils and Vinegars:
Wines, flavored oils and special vinegars can add distinct flavors to a basic marinara. When we have less than a glass of wine left in a bottle, we’ll frequently put it by the stove 
for adding into our sauces: we’ve had great success with both red and white. If you like flavored oils, you can use them at any step in the process to add extra hints of basil, lemon, garlic, or hot pepper to your sauce. Likewise, a dollop of red wine vinegar, or balsamic towards the end of your sauce preparation can add a little zip!
Don’t be afraid to experiment with marinara sauce and turn it into the one you want it to be!