Excellent Marinara Sauce
Elevate your Italian-inspired meals with this excellent marinara sauce—an easy, homemade recipe bursting with rich, authentic flavors. Made with pantry staples like crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and aromatic herbs, this versatile sauce combines the sweetness of sautéed onions with the boldness of garlic, dried oregano, and basil. A touch of fresh basil and parsley added at the end brings a vibrant freshness to the mix. Whether simmered to perfection for pasta, swirled onto a pizza crust, or used as a dipping sauce, this marinara recipe guarantees a velvety texture and customizable heat with optional red pepper flakes. Ready in under an hour with simple techniques, it’s perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prepping. Experience the magic of homemade marinara that’s fresher, more flavorful, and healthier than store-bought alternatives!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (canned, high-quality)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to taste)
- 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 0.25 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 0.5 cup water (if needed for consistency)
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until soft and translucent.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.
Add the canned crushed tomatoes and tomato paste to the saucepan. Stir to combine all the ingredients thoroughly.
Season the mixture with dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and sugar (if using). Add crushed red pepper flakes if you want a hint of heat.
Cover the saucepan with the lid slightly ajar to prevent splatters and let the sauce simmer over low heat for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Check the sauce’s consistency. If it's too thick, gradually stir in water, a few tablespoons at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
Once the sauce is finished simmering, stir in the fresh basil leaves and parsley for a burst of fresh flavor.
Remove the sauce from heat and let it sit for a few minutes before serving.
Serve hot over pasta, use it as a pizza base, or as a dip for breadsticks. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze for longer storage.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
684 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 44.2 g | 57% | |
| Saturated Fat | 6.1 g | 30% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 3386 mg | 147% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 70.6 g | 26% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 15.8 g | 56% | |
| Total Sugars | 42.8 g | ||
| Protein | 11.7 g | 23% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 357 mg | 27% | |
| Iron | 9.8 mg | 54% | |
| Potassium | 2136 mg | 45% | |
*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.
