Description
Homemade classic marinara sauce brings Italian sunshine to kitchen counters with simple ingredients and pure flavor. Fresh tomatoes, basil, and garlic combine effortlessly, creating a sauce you can enjoy with pasta, pizza, or as a delightful dipping companion.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cans (28 ounces/794 grams) whole peeled tomatoes
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Cooking Base:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the aromatic base by heating olive oil in a large saucepan over medium temperature. Sauté chopped onions until they become translucent and softened, approximately 5 minutes.
- Introduce minced garlic to the pan and cook for an additional minute, allowing the fragrance to develop and intensify.
- Manually crush whole peeled tomatoes directly into the saucepan, including their natural juices. Incorporate sugar, salt, black pepper, dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes to create a robust flavor profile.
- Reduce heat to low and allow the sauce to gently simmer, uncovered. Stir periodically during the 30-45 minute cooking process, permitting the liquid to reduce and ingredients to meld harmoniously.
- For a silky texture, utilize an immersion blender to puree the sauce to your preferred consistency. Alternatively, carefully transfer the mixture to a standard blender and process in small batches.
- Elevate the sauce’s freshness by folding in chopped fresh basil and parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve the marinara sauce as a versatile accompaniment to pasta, pizza, or as a delectable dipping sauce for breadsticks.
Notes
- Customize heat levels by adjusting red pepper flakes for mild or spicy preferences.
- Use San Marzano tomatoes for authentically richer, sweeter sauce flavor.
- Briefly caramelize onions to develop deeper, more complex taste profile.
- Consider blending sauce partially for rustic texture with smooth undertones.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-50 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 70 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg