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Best-Ever Marinara
This all-purpose marinara sauce is great to use on pizza, with pasta, and as a dipping sauce. It's finished on the stove in about 40 minutes and can easily be frozen for later use or pureed into a simple tomato soup.
Ingredients
- ¼ cextra-virgin olive oil
- 3garlic cloves
peeled and halved
- 1 tbsptomato paste
- 35 ozcanned whole peeled italian tomatoes
- kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- sugar
- 2basil sprigs
Directions
- 1
In a large saucepan, heat the extra-virgin olive oil. Add the garlic cloves and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes and crush them with the back of a spoon; season with salt and pepper. Stir in the sugar and basil sprigs and bring to a boil. Simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thickened and reduced to 3 cups, about 30 minutes. Discard the basil sprigs and garlic.
About this Recipe
The Best-Ever Marinara Sauce for Every Occasion
Craving a homemade marinara sauce that’s incredibly versatile and bursting with fresh flavor? Look no further than our Best-Ever Marinara! This simple yet sophisticated tomato sauce is ready in just 40 minutes, making it the perfect go-to for weeknight dinners or meal prep. Forget jarred sauces; once you taste the rich, authentic flavor of this easy recipe, you'll never go back.
What makes this marinara truly the best? It starts with high-quality ingredients. We use luscious canned whole peeled Italian tomatoes, slowly simmered with fragrant garlic and a hint of tomato paste to deepen its robust flavor. A touch of sugar balances the acidity, while fresh basil sprigs added at the end infuse the sauce with its signature aromatic sweetness. The result is a vibrant, perfectly balanced pasta sauce that tastes like it’s been cooking all day.
This all-purpose marinara is a true kitchen MVP.
- Pasta perfection: Toss it with your favorite spaghetti, penne, or ravioli for a classic, comforting meal.
- Pizza night hero: Spread it generously on your homemade pizza dough for an authentic Neapolitan-style base.
- Dipping delight: Serve it warm with mozzarella sticks, arancini, or crusty bread for an irresistible appetizer.
- Soup starter: Blend it smooth for a quick and flavorful simple tomato soup.
Easily customize this easy marinara to your taste. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick, or incorporate some diced onions for an extra layer of sweetness. Whether you’re feeding a family or looking for a batch-cooking solution, this Best-Ever Marinara is guaranteed to become a staple in your kitchen.