This marinara sauce is a game-changer. Homemade marinara is easy to make and only requires a few readily available ingredients. So next time skip the jarred stuff, a classic marinara sauce definitely the way to go!
It is a tomato-based sauce made with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and fresh herbs. It originated in Italy and is used in many Italian-American dishes like ravioli, spaghetti & meatballs (Italian Meatballs – Our Southern Charmed Life) chicken parmesan and lasagna.
Ingredients:
First dice the onions and mince the garlic. Add olive oil to a dutch oven or stock pot and sauté on medium high heat until soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and sauté for another minute or two longer being careful not to burn.
Add your canned tomatoes to the pot. We like using (canned) whole tomatoes, specifically San Marzano. Trust us, it truly does make a difference. You can either break up the tomatoes with your hand as you put in the pot, or as it simmers down break with a wooden spoon. Either way works. We aim for a chunkier sauce.
We also add a couple of tablespoons of tomato paste just to thicken a little. Add basil sprigs (you will remove before serving), parsley, salt, pepper and a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a little spicier sauce.
If you have a parmesan rind, you can simmer in the sauce to add a ton of flavor.
Reduce heat to low and simmer until sauce has reduced slightly, about 30 minutes. Be sure to discard basil and parmesan rind before serving.
Add freshly grated parmesan cheese and chopped basil to garnish.
Ingredients
- 2 28 oz. Cans San Marzano Tomatoes
- 1 Cup Onion Diced
- 8 Garlic Cloves minced
- 3 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 Parmesan Rind
- 2 Tablespoons Fresh Parsley chopped
- 4 Basil Sprigs
- 1/4 Cup Basil Leaves chopped to garnish
- 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 Teaspoon Pepper
- Pinch of Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
Instructions
- In a large, dutch oven or stock pot over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and cook until soft, 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 minute more.
- Pour in tomatoes and use your hands or a wooden spoon to break tomatoes into chunks. Add 1/2 cup water.
- Add tomato paste. Season with parsley, basil sprigs, salt, pepper red pepper flakes and a parmesan rind.
- Bring mixture to simmer.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer until liquid has reduced slightly, about 30 minutes. Discard basil and parmesan rind before serving.
