Easy Marinara
A delicious and savory marinara that is perfect for pasta, to top pizzas, and for using in any recipe that calls for red sauce. This sauce is simple to make, great for dips and freezes nicely for future use.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 8 people
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp. olive oil extra virgin
- 1/2 medium onion diced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 cans tomato paste 6 ounces each
- 1 can whole peeled tomatoes 28 ounces, San Marzano preferred
- 1 1/2 tsp. Kosher salt
- 1 tbsp. sugar (more may be needed, to taste)
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1 cup water more may be needed
Instructions
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Heat oil in a large pot on medium heat. Cook onions for about 10 minutes until translucent but not brown. Add garlic and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
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Add tomato paste. Add liquid from the tomatoes and then, use your fingers to squish tomatoes as much as you can before dropping them into the sauce. Mix well and then add one cup of water.
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Add salt, sugar, and chopped basil. Stir sauce. If sauce is too thick for your liking, add more water, starting with a half cup at a time, and stir after each addition, to get the consistency you like.
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Reduce heat to low and cover. Cook for 30 minutes. Serve immediately over pasta or chicken.
Recipe Notes
Note: This sauce freezes beautifully and can be cooled and then either frozen in plastic storage bags or plastic containers for up to three months. I also serve this along side fresh slices of fresh mozzarella (you'd be surprised but kids will actually eat it instead of fried mozzarella sticks!) and I keep some on hand in my fridge for DIY pizza nights.