Description
This authentic Italian marinara sauce is rich, fragrant, and made from simple pantry staples. With sweet crushed tomatoes, silky olive oil, garlic, onion, and fresh basil, it delivers bold classic flavor in just 30 minutes—perfect for pasta, pizza, and more.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1 large onion, diced small (about 2 cups)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 56 ounces canned crushed tomatoes (two 28-ounce cans)
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped (plus more to taste)
- Optional: 1 tablespoon sugar (if tomatoes taste too acidic)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a deep saucepan over medium heat.
- Add garlic and onion. Sauté 5–7 minutes, stirring frequently, until onion is soft and translucent. Do not brown the garlic.
- Stir in salt, black pepper, and oregano. Cook 30 seconds to bloom the spices.
- Add crushed tomatoes and stir well. Bring to a gentle boil.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 5–10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Simmer longer for a thicker sauce.
- Taste and add sugar if needed to balance acidity. Simmer 1 additional minute.
- Turn off heat and stir in fresh basil. Serve immediately or cool for storage.
Notes
- Simmer uncovered to help thicken the sauce.
- Use high-quality canned tomatoes for best flavor.
- Blend with an immersion blender for a smoother texture.
- Simmer longer (25–40 minutes) for deeper, richer flavor.
- Add red pepper flakes for heat if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 310 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
