Toasted Garlic Marinara Sauce
Brighten up your kitchen with the irresistible flavors of Toasted Garlic Marinara Sauce, a homemade masterpiece that brings depth and warmth to any dish. This recipe highlights the rich aroma of golden, toasted garlic infused in extra virgin olive oil, paired with the sweetness of San Marzano tomatoes and a subtle kick of optional red pepper flakes. Enhanced by layers of tomato paste, dried herbs, and a touch of sugar, this marinara sauce achieves the perfect balance of robust and comforting flavors. Finished with a sprinkle of fresh basil, it’s an ideal companion for pasta, pizza, or as a dipping sauce. Simple to make in under an hour, this versatile sauce will quickly become a staple in your culinary rotation.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
- 8 cloves Garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 0.25 teaspoons Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 28 ounces Canned whole San Marzano tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon Dried basil
- 1 teaspoon Sugar
- 0.5 teaspoons Salt
- 0.25 teaspoons Black pepper
- 0.25 cups Fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 0.5 cups Water
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
Add the thinly sliced garlic to the pan. Toast it gently, stirring constantly, until the garlic turns golden brown and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to burn it.
If using, stir in the crushed red pepper flakes and cook for another 30 seconds to release the flavors.
Add the tomato paste to the pan and stir to combine. Cook for 1-2 minutes to caramelize the paste slightly.
Pour the canned San Marzano tomatoes into the pan along with their juices. Use a wooden spoon to crush the whole tomatoes into smaller pieces.
Add the dried oregano, dried basil, sugar, salt, and black pepper to the sauce. Stir to distribute the seasonings evenly.
Pour in the water and stir to combine. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. The sauce should thicken and develop a deep flavor.
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
Stir in the chopped fresh basil leaves just before serving for a burst of fresh flavor.
Serve the Toasted Garlic Marinara Sauce immediately with your choice of pasta, pizza, or as a dipping sauce, or let it cool and store it in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
587 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 44.0 g | 56% | |
| Saturated Fat | 6.0 g | 30% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1281 mg | 56% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 50.9 g | 19% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 10.9 g | 39% | |
| Total Sugars | 28.1 g | ||
| Protein | 11.1 g | 22% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 207 mg | 16% | |
| Iron | 8.2 mg | 46% | |
| Potassium | 1901 mg | 40% | |
*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.
