Awesomely Easy Marinara Sauce
Transform your meals with this Awesomely Easy Marinara Sauce, the ultimate homemade solution for rich, flavorful comfort in under an hour! This recipe combines pantry staples like crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and fragrant dried herbs with the fresh vibrance of garlic, onion, and basil. A touch of sugar balances the acidity, while optional red pepper flakes add just the right amount of heat for those who crave a kick. With only 10 minutes of prep and a slow simmer to perfection, this versatile sauce is perfect as a topping for pasta, a base for pizzas, or even a dip for breadsticks. Whether you're a beginner in the kitchen or a seasoned cook, this one-pot recipe guarantees bold, authentic flavor with minimal effort.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 4 large garlic cloves, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (canned or fresh, blended)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 0.25 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
Add the finely chopped yellow onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until soft and translucent.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste to the pan, stirring well to combine.
Mix in the dried oregano, dried basil, granulated sugar, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir to evenly distribute the seasonings.
Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it cook for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary (add more salt, sugar, or herbs to your preference).
Stir in the fresh basil leaves just before serving for a burst of fresh flavor.
Serve the marinara sauce warm over pasta, as a dipping sauce, or as a base for your favorite dishes. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
495 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 29.2 g | 37% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.4 g | 22% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 75 mg | 3% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 54.2 g | 20% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 12.9 g | 46% | |
| Total Sugars | 27.8 g | ||
| Protein | 9.3 g | 19% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 172 mg | 13% | |
| Iron | 6.1 mg | 34% | |
| Potassium | 1580 mg | 34% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
