Description
This Easy Homemade Marinara Sauce recipe creates a rich, flavorful tomato sauce using simple pantry ingredients. It features sautéed aromatic vegetables and herbs simmered gently to develop a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity, making it ideal for pasta dishes, pizza, or as a versatile base for many Italian meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup finely diced onion
- 1/2 cup shredded carrot
- 1/3 cup finely diced celery
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Sauce Base
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 (28-ounce) cans tomatoes with juice (diced, whole, or combination)
- 4 tablespoons freshly chopped basil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot or sauté pan over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, celery, and garlic and cook until softened and fragrant, about 4 to 6 minutes.
- Season: Stir in tomato paste, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook while stirring constantly until the mixture becomes fragrant, approximately 1 minute.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Pour in the canned tomatoes with their juice along with the freshly chopped basil and sugar. Bring the mixture to a simmer, breaking up any whole tomatoes using a wooden spoon.
- Simmer Sauce: Let the sauce simmer gently for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your preferred consistency. Once done, the sauce can be used immediately or stored for later use in your favorite dishes.
Notes
- Use whole or diced canned tomatoes according to your texture preference; a mix of both can add texture and flavor complexity.
- Adjust salt and sugar levels to balance the acidity of the tomatoes depending on taste.
- Fresh basil added at the end brightens up the sauce, but dried basil can be substituted in a pinch.
- This sauce freezes well and can be stored in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
- For a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender after simmering, if desired.
