The Best Homemade Marinara Sauce
Introduction
Marinara sauce is a classic Italian tomato sauce that is easy to make and incredibly flavorful. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a sauce that elevates any pasta dish, pizza, or even a dipping sauce for breadsticks. Making your own marinara sauce at home guarantees freshness and allows you to control the flavors.
Why Make This Recipe
Why settle for store-bought marinara when you can whip up a batch of the best homemade marinara sauce in no time? This recipe is quick, easy, and uses ingredients that are likely already in your pantry. Plus, homemade sauce tastes far better than anything you can buy. You’ll enjoy a richer flavor, and you can tailor it to your taste buds.
How to Make The Best Homemade Marinara Sauce
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)
Directions:
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
- Reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Serve the sauce warm, garnished with fresh basil leaves.
How to Serve The Best Homemade Marinara Sauce
This marinara sauce is perfect for pasta dishes like spaghetti or penne. You can also use it as a topping for homemade pizza or as a dip for garlic bread or mozzarella sticks. The options are endless!
How to Store The Best Homemade Marinara Sauce
To save any leftover sauce, let it cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week or frozen for up to three months. Be sure to label the container with the date for easy tracking.
Tips to Make The Best Homemade Marinara Sauce
- Use fresh garlic and onions for the best flavor.
- Adjust the seasoning to suit your preferences. Add more oregano for a herbier taste or skip the sugar if you prefer a tangier sauce.
- Experiment by adding other ingredients like red pepper flakes for a bit of heat or a splash of wine for depth.
Variation
For a chunky marinara sauce, you can add diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or olives. You can also try adding cooked ground meat for a meat sauce variation.
FAQs
1. Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
Yes, you can use fresh tomatoes. About 2 pounds of fresh tomatoes should work well. Just be sure to peel and chop them before adding them to the sauce.
2. How do I thicken my marinara sauce?
Letting the sauce simmer longer without a lid will help it thicken. You can also add a couple of tablespoons of tomato paste for added thickness.
3. Is marinara sauce gluten-free?
Yes, marinara sauce is naturally gluten-free as it contains no wheat products. Just be cautious about what you serve it with, like pasta or bread, if you are gluten-sensitive.
Enjoy making your homemade marinara sauce! It’s sure to be a hit at the dinner table.
Homemade Marinara Sauce
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped Use a medium onion for best flavor.
- 4 cloves garlic, minced Freshly minced garlic enhances flavor.
- 28 ounces can crushed tomatoes Canned tomatoes provide a rich base.
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano Adjust according to taste.
- 1 teaspoon sugar Balances acidity.
- to taste Salt and pepper Adjust based on preference.
- Fresh basil leaves (for garnish) Adds freshness when serving.
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Cooking
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a simmer.
- Reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Serving
- Serve the sauce warm, garnished with fresh basil leaves.
