You can certainly combine a can of clams with a jar of pasta sauce like Ragu, Classico, or Prego to create a quick and easy version of red clam sauce. It's a simple and convenient way to prepare the dish. However, some traditional recipes for red clam sauce might be considered more complicated due to the following reasons:
Flavor and Freshness: Traditional recipes often focus on building flavors from scratch. Making a homemade sauce allows you to control the ingredients, spices, and seasoning, resulting in a fresher and more authentic taste. Canned or jarred pasta sauces may contain preservatives and flavors that might not align with the traditional taste of clam sauce.
Customization: By making the sauce from scratch, you can customize the flavors to your liking. You can adjust the level of spice, garlic, herbs, and other ingredients to create a sauce that perfectly suits your palate.
Texture: Homemade red clam sauce can offer a more balanced and desired texture. Canned and jarred sauces might have a uniform consistency, whereas a homemade sauce can have chunkier clam pieces if desired, creating a more textured and enjoyable experience.
Health Considerations: Some people may prefer homemade sauce to control the amount of salt, sugar, and other additives. Pre-made sauces may have higher levels of these ingredients.
Authenticity: For those who appreciate authentic Italian cuisine, making the sauce from scratch can be more satisfying and true to the traditional recipe.
While using a can of clams and a jar of pasta sauce is a quick and simple way to make red clam sauce, those who prefer more depth of flavor and texture might opt for a more involved process. Ultimately, the choice between simplicity and complexity depends on your personal preferences, time constraints, and cooking style. If you enjoy the convenience of using pre-made sauces and canned clams, there's nothing wrong with that! The most important thing is that you enjoy your meal.