Geoffy, no one is saying you have to make a big pot of gravy with all the meats and everything. But you can make a marinara sauce in almost as little time as it takes to boil the water for your pasta. Fry a little garlic in some olive oil, when it's getting nice and light brown add a can or two of good crushed tomatoes, season it with a little salt, pepper and oregano, and throw in some fresh basil if you can get your hands on it. It's done in half an hour. By the time the water comes to a boil, your sauce is done. And it beats the HELL out of anything you'll get out of a jar .