Description
This easy Homemade Marinara Sauce recipe delivers a rich, fresh, and flavorful tomato sauce made from simple, wholesome ingredients. Perfect for pasta, pizza, and a variety of Italian dishes, this sauce is quick to prepare, customizable, and a healthy alternative to store-bought options.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 medium Yellow Onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves Fresh Garlic, finely minced
- 28 ounces canned San Marzano Tomatoes, crushed
Herbs and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 1 teaspoon Salt, adjust to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper, freshly ground
- 1/4 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
- Handful of Fresh Basil Leaves
Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent and soft, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, stirring frequently to avoid browning, to build a flavorful base.
- Add Tomatoes and Herbs: Pour in the crushed San Marzano tomatoes. Stir in the dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Combine all ingredients well and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer to Perfect Thickness: Let the sauce simmer gently for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. This allows the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken to your desired consistency. Add the fresh basil in the last few minutes of simmering to preserve its bright, herbal flavor.
- Final Taste and Adjustments: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed — you may want to add a pinch more salt, a sprinkle of sugar to balance acidity, or more red pepper flakes for heat. Stir well and let it cook for another minute before serving.
Notes
- Use quality canned San Marzano or ripe fresh tomatoes for the best flavor and texture.
- Simmer the sauce slowly to avoid burnt or bitter notes and deepen the flavor.
- Add fresh herbs at the end of cooking for maximum aroma and bright flavor.
- A tiny pinch of sugar helps balance acidity if the sauce tastes too sharp.
- For a smoother sauce, blend with an immersion blender or mash as desired; leave chunky for more rustic texture.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup (125 ml)
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg