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Easy Homemade Marinara Sauce from Scratch

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A quick and easy marinara sauce made from simple ingredients, perfect for pasta, dipping, and Italian dishes. Bright, vibrant, and full of fresh flavor with a hint of garlic and herbs.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cans (28 ounces / 800 grams each) crushed tomatoes, preferably San Marzano
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • ½ cup dry red wine (e.g., Chianti or Merlot), optional
  • A handful fresh basil, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
  • Salt to taste (start with 1 teaspoon)
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 piece Parmesan rind, optional
  • 1 teaspoon sugar, optional
  • ½ cup water or vegetable broth, if needed to adjust consistency

Instructions

  1. Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking, about 2 minutes.
  2. Add thinly sliced garlic and chopped onion. Cook gently for 5-7 minutes, stirring often, until onions are soft and translucent and garlic is fragrant but not browned.
  3. Stir in 2 tablespoons of tomato paste and cook for another 2 minutes to caramelize slightly.
  4. Pour in ½ cup dry red wine and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. Let the wine reduce for about 3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  5. Add the crushed tomatoes (2 cans, 28 oz each) and stir well to combine.
  6. Add 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon sugar (if using), 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (if using), and black pepper to taste.
  7. Add Parmesan rind if using, then simmer the sauce gently uncovered on low heat for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  8. If the sauce is too thick, stir in up to ½ cup water or vegetable broth to reach desired consistency.
  9. Just before serving, stir in a handful of chopped fresh basil.
  10. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
  11. Optional: Use an immersion blender to pulse the sauce for a smoother texture if desired.

Notes

Use fresh garlic instead of pre-minced for better flavor. Simmer sauce gently on low heat to avoid bitterness. Caramelize tomato paste before adding liquids for depth. Reserve some pasta water to help sauce cling to pasta. For vegan version, omit Parmesan rind and use vegetable broth instead of wine. Sauce can be made smoother with immersion blender or left chunky for rustic texture. Simmering for 15 minutes is acceptable but 25-30 minutes yields best flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: marinara sauce, homemade marinara, tomato sauce, Italian sauce, easy marinara, pasta sauce, from scratch, garlic sauce, fresh herbs

Find it online: https://blixfood.com/easy-homemade-marinara-sauce-from-scratch-5-best-tips-for-perfect-flavor/