Spicy Marinara Sauce
Turn up the heat in your kitchen with this bold and flavorful Spicy Marinara Sauce! Featuring a robust blend of finely chopped onions, fragrant garlic, and a fiery kick from crushed red pepper flakes, this sauce is simmered to perfection with ripe canned tomatoes, a touch of tomato paste, and aromatic herbs like basil and oregano. A hint of sugar balances the zestiness, while a bay leaf infuses depth into every bite. Ready in just under an hour, this easy-to-make sauce is a versatile staple, perfect for tossing with pasta, spreading on pizzas, or transforming any dish into a comforting, spicy Italian delight. With a hint of heat and a rich, savory profile, this homemade spicy marinara will easily outshine any store-bought version!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 28 ounces canned whole peeled tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 0.25 cup basil leaves, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried basil)
- 1 teaspoon oregano, dried
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 bay leaf
- 0.25 cup water (optional, for consistency)
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent.
Stir in the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Carefully pour in the canned whole peeled tomatoes, crushing them with your hands as you add them to the pan. Stir in the tomato paste.
Add the chopped basil leaves (or dried basil), oregano, sugar, salt, black pepper, and bay leaf to the mixture. Stir to combine all the ingredients.
If the sauce is too thick, add up to 1/4 cup of water to reach your desired consistency.
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Lower the heat to medium-low and let it simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Remove and discard the bay leaf. Adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.
Serve the spicy marinara sauce hot over your favorite pasta, or use it as a base for pizza or other recipes. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
578 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 30.2 g | 39% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.4 g | 22% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 3382 mg | 147% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 74.2 g | 27% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 19.0 g | 68% | |
| Total Sugars | 46.0 g | ||
| Protein | 11.6 g | 23% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 267 mg | 21% | |
| Iron | 8.4 mg | 47% | |
| Potassium | 2021 mg | 43% | |
*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.
