Description
A classic homemade marinara sauce made with crushed tomatoes, garlic, and aromatic herbs, perfect for pasta, pizza, or as a base for other Italian dishes. This simple and flavorful sauce simmers gently to develop a rich, savory depth.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinara Sauce Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté the onions: Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the diced yellow onion and sauté until just lightly browned, about 4–5 minutes. This step softens the onions and develops their flavor to form the base of the sauce.
- Add the garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 20 seconds, just until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter.
- Simmer the sauce: Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, sugar, water, and optional crushed red pepper flakes to the pan. Stir to combine all ingredients thoroughly. Lower the heat, cover the pan, and let it simmer gently on low for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
Notes
- Use high-quality crushed tomatoes for the best flavor.
- Simmering the sauce slowly enhances the richness and reduces acidity.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control the spice level.
- This sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
