Description
This Best Marinara Sauce Yet is a rich, flavorful, and easy-to-make tomato sauce perfect for pasta, pizza, or any Italian-inspired dish. Made with simple ingredients like crushed tomatoes, garlic, and herbs, this sauce simmers to perfection, delivering a balanced taste with a hint of sweetness and herbaceous aroma.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
Tomato Ingredients
- 1 can (28 oz / 800g) crushed tomatoes (San Marzano if possible)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
Seasonings
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/4 tsp chili flakes (optional)
- Black pepper to taste
Finishing
- Fresh basil (optional, for finish)
Instructions
- Heat the oil: Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat to create the perfect base for your sauce by gently warming the oil until shimmering.
- Sauté onions: Add the chopped onion and cook for 4-5 minutes until soft and translucent, releasing their natural sweetness and softening their texture.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn it to avoid bitterness.
- Incorporate tomato paste: Add the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes to deepen its flavor and caramelize the natural sugars, enhancing the sauce’s richness.
- Add crushed tomatoes: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir well to combine all the ingredients evenly.
- Season the sauce: Add sugar, dried oregano, dried basil, chili flakes (if using), and black pepper to balance acidity and add layers of flavor.
- Simmer the sauce: Let the sauce simmer uncovered for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your desired consistency, allowing flavors to meld beautifully.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed, adding more salt, pepper, or sugar if desired.
- Finish with fresh basil: Stir in fresh basil right at the end if available to add a fresh, aromatic touch to your marinara sauce.
Notes
- Use San Marzano tomatoes for a sweeter, less acidic sauce if possible.
- Simmering times can be adjusted depending on how thick you want your sauce.
- Fresh basil adds a brighter flavor but can be omitted or substituted with dried basil if unavailable.
- Chili flakes are optional and can be added for a subtle heat.
- This sauce pairs well with any pasta, pizza, or as a dipping sauce.
