Being a fan of all things pasta, I’ve always enjoyed a good marinara sauce. However, it wasn’t until I visited Southern Italy that I realized how amazing tomato sauce could be. Using only a few high quality ingredients, you can make your own homemade marinara sauce that will bring the flavors of Southern Italy to your table!
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What is Marinara Sauce
Marinara sauce consists of crushed whole tomatoes (with the skin removed), a healthy amount of olive oil and garlic, basil, and oregano. This mixture is then seasoned with salt and pepper and simmered together for around an hour. While some recipes include diced onion, sugar, and tomato paste, I prefer the flavor of the sauce without these extra ingredients.
Originating in Naples, Italy, marinara was developed to provide fisherman with a flavorful sauce to eat on fishing boats that didn’t require a lot of ingredients. Today in Italy you often see this sauce referred to as simply tomato sauce. If you do see marinara sauce on the menu of restaurant in Italy, it will often contain a variety of shellfish as a part of the pasta dish as well.
How to Make Marinara Sauce
Those new to Italian cooking are often surprised by how much olive oil, garlic, and salt is used. One of the most important steps when making marinara sauce is to taste the sauce when it’s done simmering and add more salt if needed (which is often the case). Below are step-by-step instructions on how to make a homemade marinara sauce that you’re whole family will love:
1. Start by adding the tomatoes to a large mixing bowl and crushing them with either a fork or your hands.
2. Next, add four tablespoons of olive oil to a sauce pan or large skillet and heat on medium heat.
3. Once the oil is hot, add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant (30 seconds to a minute), stirring frequently so the garlic doesn’t burn.
4. Then add the tomatoes that you crushed along with the oregano and four basil leaves (chopped or torn into pieces) to the garlic.
5. Season with salt and pepper and bring to a simmer, stirring frequently to make sure the tomatoes do not burn.
6. Once simmering, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for an hour, stirring every 10 minutes or so to make sure the tomatoes don’t burn. Tip: If you are short on time, you can reduce the simmering time to as low as 20 minutes. However, the closer you can get to an hour the better.
7. Taste the sauce and add more salt if needed. This is an IMPORTANT step as an under-seasoned sauce won’t taste right. You will likely need to add more salt than you think. However, make sure to add small amounts at a time, tasting frequently.
8. Once you are happy with the seasoning, mix in an additional 6 or so basil leaves (chopped or torn into pieces) along with another tablespoon or so of olive oil.
9. Serve and enjoy!
Marinara Sauce Recipe
Authentic Italian Marinara Sauce
Equipment
- 1 Sauce pan or large skillet
Ingredients
- 2 Cans San Marzano Tomatoes 28 oz. cans
- 5 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 10 Cloves Garlic Minced
- 10 Basil Leaves
- 1/2 tsp. Oregano
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Start by adding the tomatoes to a large mixing bowl and crushing them with either a fork or your hands.
- Next, add four tablespoons of olive oil to a sauce pan or large skillet and heat on medium heat.
- Once the oil is hot, add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant (30 seconds to a minute), stirring frequently so the garlic doesn't burn.
- Then add the tomatoes that you crushed along with the oregano and four basil leaves (chopped or torn into pieces) to the garlic.
- Season with salt and pepper and bring to a simmer, stirring frequently to make sure the tomatoes do not burn.
- Once simmering, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for an hour, stirring every 10 minutes or so to make sure the tomatoes don't burn. Tip: If you are short on time, you can reduce the simmering time to as low as 20 minutes. However, the closer you can get to an hour the better.
- Taste the sauce and add more salt if needed. This is an IMPORTANT step as an under-seasoned sauce won't taste right. You will likely need to add more salt than you think. However, make sure to add small amounts at a time, tasting frequently.
- Once you are happy with the seasoning, mix in an additional 6 or so basil leaves (chopped or torn into pieces) along with another tablespoon or so of olive oil.
- Serve and enjoy!
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Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Is marinara sauce gluten-free?
Yes. All ingredients in marinara sauce are naturally gluten-free.
Is marinara sauce an authentic Italian sauce?
Yes. It originated in Naples, Italy as a simple sauce for fisherman to eat on their boats. Today in Italy it’s often referred to as simply tomato sauce. If you do see marinara sauce on the menu of a restaurant in Italy, it will likely contain a variety of shellfish as well.
Final Thoughts on Marinara Sauce
I hope that you enjoyed this marinara sauce over heaping plate of pasta and with a tall glass of wine. Happy cooking!
Also check out the below articles for more great Italian recipes:
Creamy Four Ingredient Alfredo Sauce Recipe
Penne alla Vodka with Spicy Vodka Sauce
Boursin Cheese Pasta with Shrimp
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