My family loves Italian food and we eat it at least once a week! Some of our favorite dishes include baked chicken parmesan, pasta puttanesca, and any dish that contains this from-scratch marinara sauce. I use marinara sauce in so many different recipes, and while there’s nothing wrong with jarred sauce, homemade marinara is the way to go. This recipe delivers so much flavor, has a short ingredient list and minimal prep time.
Marinara Sauce Ingredients
This recipe contains basic ingredients such as olive oil, onion, garlic, San Marzano tomatoes, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper and fresh basil sprigs.
How do you make homemade marinara sauce?
Start by cooking olive oil, onions and garlic in a pan. Add canned tomatoes, dried herbs, fresh basil and seasonings. Let the mixture simmer over low heat until the sauce has thickened. Remove the basil sprigs from the sauce and discard. Use immediately or store in the refrigerator for later use.
Tips for the perfect sauce
Since this is such a simple recipe, the quality of the ingredients really count. Look for a high quality extra virgin olive oil and use Italian canned tomatoes. I really prefer to use San Marzano tomatoes as they have the best flavor and texture. Keep an eye out for tomatoes with a “D.O.P” on the label, which guarantees that the tomatoes are authentically San Marzano. This sauce stays fresh in the refrigerator for 4 days and can be frozen for up to 2 months. I often make a double batch so that I have extra to put in the freezer! Thaw frozen sauce in the fridge overnight, then reheat on the stove until it’s warmed through. If you prefer a smooth sauce, you can use an immersion blender to puree the mixture after it’s cooked. You can chop the tomatoes or crush them with your hands, just be sure to save all the juice in the can for the recipe! This recipe makes a chunkier sauce. If you prefer a smooth sauce, simply puree some or all of the cooked sauce before you serve it.
Homemade marinara sauce flavor variations
This sauce is a basic recipe with a classic flavor profile that can be used in a variety of dishes. That being said, it’s fine to add other ingredients to customize the sauce to your tastes.
Protein: Feel free to add some meat for a heartier sauce. You can use 1 pound of ground beef, ground turkey or Italian sausage, just be sure to cook and crumble the meat before it goes into the sauce. You can also add some cooked pancetta for a little richness and extra savory flavor. Herbs: While this recipe calls for fresh basil, other herbs are great in this sauce including parsley, oregano and thyme. Veggies: Add extra color and texture with sauteed veggies including spinach, carrots, zucchini and mushrooms. Flavorings: Amp up your sauce with a little red wine, freshly grated parmesan cheese, a spoonful of pesto or some sliced olives.
There are endless possibilities when it comes to this sauce. Use it in pasta, casseroles, over chicken or as a dipping sauce. However you serve it, homemade marinara sauce always gets rave reviews!
Ways to use marinara sauce
Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Eggplant Lasagna Classic Stuffed Shells Spinach Lasagna Pasta al Forno
Homemade Marinara Sauce Video
