i also, on occasion, will throw fennel seed in as well . Kinda gives that hint of sausage, without the sausage taste. Problem is, my wife hates fennel, so I have to sneak it in there.
For me personally, I prefer to start with the canned tomatoes, as opposed to the canned tomato sauce. I feel that when starting with the sauce, it kinda always steers you in a certain direction, where as the plain tomatoes offer a blank canvas to start with, allowing any direction you want.
That being said, in a pinch, if thats what I had on hand, I'd use it and have used it in the past.
Usually, in both cases, Ill start with some onion, garlic in Olive oil, occasionally some butter too. I feel the butter kinda fills it out a bit more, and enhances the sauces ability to bind to the pasta. Usually a Tbs or two of Tomato paste, but not always. Some oregano, S&P. At this point I may add sliced mushrooms ( or not), A dab of wine ( or not), a pinch of Fennel ( or not) a couple of shakes of red pepper flakes ( or not) then whatever tomato product I'm going to use goes in ( canned whole tomatoes, diced tomatoes, or whatever). I always have fresh basil growing in the aquaponic garden, so I like to add some last minute, to give it that fresh, summery feel, even in the dead of winter. Usually its a 10 minute process to get it to this point. If in a rush, Ill eat it as is. if not, ill let it do its thing on the stove for an hour or more. Sometimes I like it thicker, with chunks of tomato, other times i prefer a smoother, saucier variety. Some times Ill grate carrots and celery finely, and kinda caramelize them with the onions in the beginning. Or, toss in some peppers ( not much, cause a little goes a long way). I like the flavor or peppers, but not biting into a big piece.
During the summer, I grow a decent amount of tomatoes and then skin, seed and mill them. Making almost a fresh puree. Then freeze them for future use. That is usually the tomato product I use most in my sauces. But my puree taste a lot fresher than the purees you get in the can.