Description
Marinara Sauce Recipe: Quick, comforting, crowd-pleasing sauce made with juicy tomatoes, aromatic garlic, and fragrant herbs.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
- 4–6 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 2 cans (28 ounces/794g each) whole San Marzano tomatoes, crushed by hand
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, torn or chopped, plus more for serving
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste (optional, for deeper color and flavor)
- 1–2 teaspoons sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
Instructions
- Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat until shimmering. Add the diced onion and cook for 5-7 minutes until translucent and soft but not browned. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using), and cook for another 30-60 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning. The aromatics form the flavor foundation of your Marinara Sauce, so take your time with this step.
- Step 2: Add Tomatoes and Seasonings Pour in your hand-crushed tomatoes along with their juice. Add salt, oregano, and tomato paste (if using). Stir well to incorporate the sautéed aromatics throughout the sauce. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then immediately reduce to a simmer. The sauce should bubble lightly but not vigorously.
- Step 3: Simmer to Perfection Allow your Marinara Sauce to simmer uncovered for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. The sauce will gradually thicken and develop a deeper red color as it reduces. If it becomes too thick, add a few tablespoons of water. About 10 minutes before finishing, taste and adjust seasonings – this is when you might add sugar if your tomatoes are particularly acidic.
- Step 4: Finish with Fresh Herbs Turn off the heat and stir in the fresh basil. The residual warmth will release the herb’s essential oils without cooking away its brightness. Let the Marinara Sauce rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to settle and marry. If you prefer a smoother consistency, you can use an immersion blender for a few pulses, but a true Marinara Sauce typically maintains some texture.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg