Simple And Scrumptious Marinara Sauce Recipe
This simple and scrumptious marinara sauce recipe captures the essence of traditional Italian flavors with minimal ingredients and straightforward steps. Perfect for pasta, pizza, or as a base for other dishes, this homemade sauce combines the richness of tomatoes, aromatic garlic, and fragrant basil in a luscious blend simmered to perfection.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Marinara Sauce Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 28 ounces whole peeled tomatoes (canned)
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (canned)
- 3 teaspoons dried basil leaves
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preparation: Begin by organizing all your ingredients. Mince the garlic and chop the onion to ensure they cook evenly and release their flavors effectively.
- Heat Olive Oil: In a skillet or saucepan over medium heat, pour in the olive oil and allow it to heat gently, making sure it does not reach smoking point to preserve its flavor and nutritional value.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the minced garlic and chopped onion into the heated olive oil. Sauté this mixture for about 10 minutes until the onions become translucent and the garlic is fragrant. Stir frequently to prevent burning and to evenly cook the ingredients.
- Add Whole Tomatoes: Take the canned whole peeled tomatoes and crush them gently by hand to give the sauce a rustic texture before adding them to the skillet.
- Add Crushed Tomatoes and Seasonings: Pour the crushed tomatoes into the skillet along with the dried basil leaves, white sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine all the ingredients thoroughly.
- Simmer the Sauce: Reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet with a lid. Let the sauce simmer gently for approximately 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to blend the flavors beautifully.
- Taste and Adjust Seasoning: After simmering, taste the marinara sauce and adjust the salt, pepper, or sugar if necessary to suit your flavor preferences.
- Serve or Store: Use the sauce immediately with your dish, or let it cool completely before transferring it to containers for refrigeration or freezing to preserve freshness.
Notes
- Use high-quality canned tomatoes for best flavor.
- To deepen the sauce flavor, you can add a splash of red wine during simmering.
- The sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Adjust the amount of sugar based on the acidity of your tomatoes.
- For a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender after simmering.
