Well Im not a very good cook therefore bad with spices - so anything that simplifies cooking to taste more homemade I’m up for.
I use frozen canned tomatoes in Cambells Vegtable beef Soup - just scrap off enough to give it that homemade taste - it works.
I always have instant potatoes on hand - so that also might work for thickening.
I’ve never been any good at gravy, but I might try the potato flakes next time.