Reviewed: May 5, 2012

We made it as to the directions with the only substitution being we used frozen chard instead of spinach. Cooked it in the slow cooker as directed. It was way, way too thick and the flavor was bitter to us. We used it for one meal and decided to throw out the very large amount of leftovers.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
1 user found this review helpful

Reviewer:

Pat

Supporting Member (Click to learn more about Supporting Membership)

Cooking Level: Expert

Home Town: Eagle, Idaho, USA

Reviewed: May 4, 2012

Using 2-1/2 TABLESPOONS of crushed red pepper made this dish uneatable. I believe it should be not more than 2 teaspoons.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
1 user found this review helpful

Reviewer:

Rustyfork

Reviewed: May 1, 2012

Too much salt. Too much oregano.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
1 user found this review helpful

Reviewer:

mporte25

Reviewed: Apr. 23, 2012

I omitted the salt completely, and let people add it to their pasta if so inclined.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
4 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

AcaCandy

Reviewed: Jan. 22, 2012

I used caution with the spices, figuring that you can always add, but you can't take away. My sauce turned out delicious, but I went very easy on the spice: I added no salt, but I did sprinkle some garlic salt after it was plated, 1 T oregano, 1 T basil, and a dash of red pepper flakes (if I'd used 1 1/2 T as called for, I don' think it would be edible). I trimmed down the olive oil, and sauteed the onions and garlic before putting it to simmer. I omitted the mushrooms. I reduced the tomato paste to just a few squeezes of the tubed paste. I used fresh kale instead of spinach. I really like the carrots and greens in this sauce. Now that I think about it, I wonder if the recipe was supposed to be in teaspoons rather than tablespoons?

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
8 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

Momi

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Home Town: Mount Vernon, Washington, USA

Living In: Fairfax, Virginia, USA

Reviewed: Oct. 14, 2011

This is so good for a change! Smelled so good when I came home from work. I added a 1/2 lb. of browned hamburger. I used a 28oz. can of diced tomatoes and crushed tomatoes and 1 6oz can of paste. Less salt and a sprinkling of sugar. This cooked all day on low. I mixed this with a box of cooked rigatoni. So good!

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
2 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

Dottie

Cooking Level: Expert

Living In: Akron, Pennsylvania, USA

Reviewed: Mar. 2, 2011

I didn't use near as much salt and crushed pepper as the recipe called for, and I added at least 3 cups of water, and it was excellent.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
3 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

sobedient dog boy

Reviewed: Jan. 10, 2011

This recipe just doesn't work with the given measurements of just about everything. Too much tomato paste for sure and DEFINITELY too much crushed red pepper. I only added one TBSP and it was way spicy. Herbs were overboard as well. It was a thick mess once cooked, so I added red wine, diced tomatoes, water, anything to thin it out. This recipe has good "bones" so if you just use this as a guide and you are a skilled cook, you can make it work. I would also cook on low for 4-6 hours only.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
5 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

gagirl90

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Home Town: Roswell, Georgia, USA

Living In: Johns Creek, Georgia, USA

Reviewed: Jan. 7, 2011

I used fresh spinach and chopped carrots. Didn't need the oil, but i'm trying to gain weight, so it was good for me.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
4 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

Vikramdev

Reviewed: May 19, 2010

I like the idea of the spinach and other veggies in my sauce, but the herbs and spices are all wrong. Everyone who commented mentioned the tomato paste overload, and they are correct. I am going to try it again with 1/4 C red wine and am making appropriate adjustments to the herbs. Any time I see 2 tbs SALT in a marinara, I am dubious!

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
6 users found this review helpful