Basic Marinara Sauce
This is our “go to” sauce when we want a quick pasta dish in a hurry. This fresh delicious sauce is simplicity at it’s best and made with basic ingredients available in most pantries. I am so perplexed why so many people opt to buy a jar of “ready made” sauce when you can prepare a much better version on your own…. in just 30 minutes.
The magic starts with a can of good quality Italian plum tomatoes, a few tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, a garlic clove or two, some red chili flakes and lots of fresh fragrant basil…and that’s it.
While the sauce is simmering, boil up your favorite pasta …prepare a green salad and bing bang boom…Tutto e fatto…..It’s all done. ….your beautiful dinner is ready!
Marinara sauce is so versatile and used as a base for a variety of sauces and delicious Italian dishes, like my Penne alla Vodka So perfect your marinara sauce skills…and everything you make with this sauce will be totally awesome and molto delizioso!
Marinara sauce can be made ahead and kept in refrigerator for 3-5 days or place in freezer in plastic containers for later use.
- 2-28oz cans of good quality Italian plum tomatoes in tomato juice ..Cento, San Marzano,Tuttorosso, Furmano, Red Pack
- 3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or sliced
- 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp. dried Italian herb mix or Herbs de Provence
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Pinch of Sugar – if tomatoes are bitter
- Fresh chopped basil or parsley
- Blend tomatoes with immersion blender or upright blender to desired consistency.
- Add olive oil to large saute pan, add garlic, herbs and pepper flakes. saute for 1 minute
- Add blended tomatoes ot pan and season with salt and pepper.
- Simmer sauce for 30 minutes on medium heat. Stir occasionally – then add fresh chopped parsley or basil.
- Remove from heat and serve with your favorite pasta…
