Quick Answer
Yes, you can substitute spaghetti sauce for tomato sauce in chili recipes. The tomatoes, spices, onions, and flavor bases found in most spaghetti sauces make them a suitable stand-in for plain tomato sauce in chili. However, you may need to adjust other seasonings and ingredients to account for differences in flavor and consistency.
Comparing Spaghetti Sauce and Tomato Sauce
While spaghetti sauce and tomato sauce are similar in some ways, there are a few key differences that are important to consider when substituting one for the other:
Tomato Content
Both sauces are tomato-based, but the amount of tomatoes can vary. Tomato sauce is usually just crushed or pureed tomatoes while spaghetti sauce has additional ingredients like onions, garlic, herbs, etc. Spaghetti sauce likely has less actual tomato content per volume.
Seasonings
Spaghetti sauce contains Italian seasonings like oregano, basil, parsley, fennel, and sometimes red pepper flakes. Tomato sauce is unseasoned. The added spices in spaghetti sauce provide more flavor complexity.
Acidity
Tomato sauce often tastes brighter and more acidic, while the spices and extra ingredients in spaghetti sauce mellow out the acidity a bit.
Consistency
Spaghetti sauce tends to be thicker and chunkier than plain tomato sauce. Extra pulp or pureed veggies give it more body.
Sweetness
Many spaghetti sauce recipes include added sugar, making them taste slightly sweeter than plain tomato sauce.
Substitution Considerations
When replacing tomato sauce with spaghetti sauce in chili, keep the following tips in mind:
Check for Unwanted Ingredients
Some spaghetti sauces may contain ingredients that don’t work well in chili. Avoid sauces with visible veggie chunks, wine, cream, or other additions that seem out of place. Stick to plain traditional recipes without too many extras.
Consider the Spices
Since spaghetti sauce brings its own blend of Italian seasonings, adjust the chili recipe accordingly. You may need less oregano, basil, cumin, etc. Taste and season carefully near the end of cooking.
Boost the Tomato Flavor
If the spaghetti sauce tastes too mild, add a small amount of tomato paste when cooking to intensify the tomato presence. Tomato paste adds rich umami flavor.
Cut the Acidity
Balance out the acidity of the sauce by adding a pinch of sugar or a splash of wine vinegar. Allow it to simmer until the sharpness mellows out.
Thicken It Up
If the sauce seems thin, mix a teaspoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of water. Slowly stir it into the simmering chili to thicken to desired consistency.
Add Meat for Heartiness
Browning some ground beef or sausage along with aromatics like onion and garlic can give more texture and make the chili feel more substantial.
Sample Recipes and Ratios
Here are a couple examples of how you could swap spaghetti sauce for tomato sauce in different chili recipes:
For a Pot of Chili
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 1 pound ground beef
– 1 medium onion, chopped
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 tablespoons chili powder
– 1 tablespoon cumin
– 1 28-ounce can spaghetti sauce
– 1 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
– 1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
– Salt and pepper to taste
Sauté beef, onion, and garlic. Season with spices. Add spaghetti sauce, beans, and salt and pepper. Simmer 20-30 minutes.
For a Slow Cooker Chili
– 1 lb 85% lean ground beef
– 1 medium onion, chopped
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 tablespoons chili powder
– 1 tablespoon cumin
– 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
– 1 24-ounce jar spaghetti sauce
– 1 15-ounce can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
– 1 15-ounce can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
– Salt and pepper to taste
Brown beef with onion and garlic. Place in slow cooker. Add remaining ingredients. Cook on low 6-8 hours.
For a Turkey Chili
– 1 lb ground turkey
– 1 medium onion, chopped
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tablespoon chili powder
– 2 teaspoons cumin
– 1 teaspoon oregano
– 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
– 1 24-ounce jar spaghetti sauce
– 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes
– 1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
– 1 15-ounce can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
– Salt and pepper to taste
Cook turkey and onion in oil. Add garlic and spices, cook 1 minute. Add spaghetti sauce, tomatoes, beans, and season with salt and pepper. Simmer at least 30 minutes.
Tips for Using Leftover Spaghetti Sauce
Don’t let that extra spaghetti sauce go to waste! Here are some creative ways to use up leftover or extra sauce:
– Freeze it in ice cube trays for easy use later
– Simmer it with some cream to make a quick alfredo sauce
– Purée it with softened spinach for a veggie dip or sandwich spread
– Mix it with scrambled eggs or a frittata
– Toss it with roasted vegetables like zucchini or eggplant
– Use it as the base for homemade pizza sauce
– Thin it out to make a simple soup – add chicken broth, veggies, beans, pasta
– Stir it into cooked lentils or grains for extra flavor
With a little creativity, leftover spaghetti sauce can become a tasty addition to many other meals. Get the most out of that jar!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the acidity in spaghetti sauce affect chili cooking?
The acidity in spaghetti sauce is not likely to significantly impact the cooking process for chili. You may just need to balance it by adding a little sugar or other ingredients like wine vinegar. Let it simmer as the flavors meld.
Can I substitute chunky garden style spaghetti sauce?
Chunkier garden style spaghetti sauces can work but may change the texture. Break up large chunks with a spoon as you add it. For best results, purée chunky sauce before adding it to the chili.
Do I need to add extra tomatoes when swapping in spaghetti sauce?
It depends on the recipe, but extra tomatoes aren’t usually necessary since spaghetti sauce already has a tomato base. However, adding a small can of diced tomatoes can allow you to use less spaghetti sauce while still getting enough tomato flavor.
What’s the best spaghetti sauce brand to use?
Look for traditional, plain tomato-based sauces without too many added ingredients. Rao’s and Bertolli make high-quality authentic sauces. Just check the label before using. Some extra flavor from onions and garlic is fine.
Can I use spaghetti sauce instead of tomatoes in homemade chili recipes too?
Absolutely! The same substitution will work for homemade chili con carne using dry chiles or chili powder. Swap the plain tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes for jarred spaghetti sauce and adjust spices as needed.
Conclusion
While tomato sauce and spaghetti sauce are prepared differently, they can be used interchangeably in many recipes, including chili. The key is selecting a sauce without too many chunky mix-ins or additional flavorings that might clash. Adjusting other seasonings and adding ingredients like meat and thickening agents can help modify the sauce to work perfectly in your chili creation. With the right balance, spaghetti sauce can be a quick and flavorful stand-in.