Description
Homemade marinara sauce delivers classic Italian comfort straight from grandmother’s kitchen in Naples. Rich tomato flavors blend seamlessly with aromatic herbs, inviting you to savor each spoonful of this simple yet soul-warming culinary tradition.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (28 oz/794 g) can crushed tomatoes
- ¼ cup/4 tbsps fresh basil, chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp tomato paste (optional, for richness)
- 2 tsps dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat, then gently sweat onions until they become soft and translucent, creating a fragrant base for the sauce.
- Infuse Garlic: Introduce minced garlic and quickly toast for a brief moment, releasing its intense aroma without burning.
- Build Flavor Foundation: Incorporate crushed tomatoes, oregano, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, sugar, and tomato paste, stirring to blend the ingredients harmoniously.
- Simmer and Develop: Allow the sauce to reach a gentle bubbling state, then reduce heat and let it simmer uncovered, periodically stirring to prevent sticking and encourage flavor concentration.
- Finish with Freshness: During the final moments of cooking, fold in fresh basil leaves, which will infuse the sauce with a vibrant, herbaceous note.
- Refine and Preserve: Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, then serve immediately or store in an airtight container, keeping in the refrigerator for up to a week or freezing for three months.
Notes
- Add a Parmesan cheese rind during simmering to enhance the sauce’s umami and richness.
- Sprinkle a tiny pinch of sugar to neutralize tomatoes’ tartness if the sauce tastes too acidic.
- Stir sauce frequently and use low-medium heat to avoid scorching and maintain smooth texture.
- Simmer uncovered longer for thicker sauce or add a splash of water for thinner consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg