BEST Marinara Sauce
Ingredients
- 12 pounds ripe tomatoes
- 1/2 cup dried/dehydrated minced onion )
(provides a great flavor boost and is especially suited to canning for long-term storage
- 6 cloves garlic
minced
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons sea salt
- 1 tablespoon dark balsamic vinegar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried rosemary
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon crushed fennel seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon dried ground sage
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- citric acid)
or bottled lemon juice, if canning (per USDA guidelines as a requirement for safe canning
Directions
- 1
Blanch the tomatoes for about a minute in a pot of boiling water to loosen the skins. Peel the tomatoes, squeeze out and discard the seeds. Chop the tomatoes.
- 2
Place the chopped tomatoes in a large pot along with the remaining ingredients (except for the citric acid). Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered for 2 hours, stirring every now and then. Discard the bay leaves. Adjust the salt and pepper to taste. Use an immersion blender or transfer to a blender to puree until desired consistency is reached.
- 3
You can use the sauce now (flavor gets better in a day or two), freeze it or can it for long-term storage.
- 4
To can the sauce: Place 1/4 teaspoon citric acid or 1 tablespoon bottled lemon juice in the bottom of each sterilized pint-sized jar (double the quantity for quart jars). Ladle the hot marinara sauce into the jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Wipe the rims clean with a damp cloth. Screw on the clean lids and rims. Place the jars in a boiling water canner and process 35 minutes for pints and 40 minutes for quarts. Turn off the heat and let the jars sit for 5 minutes. Remove the jars and let sit undisturbed for 24 hours. Check the seals. Stored in a dark, cool place the jars will keep for at least a year but for best flavor use within six months.Makes approximately 6 pints.
BEST Marinara Sauce
Similar Recipes
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/11966-best-marinara-sauce-yet-DDMFS-4x3-078e494b66c4485e8efe0971473b3196.jpg)
Ratings & Reviews
Be the First to Rate
Your rating helps others discover amazing recipes. Share your experience and let others know what you think!
About this Recipe
Craving a deeply flavorful, vibrant marinara sauce that tastes incredible all year long? This recipe for BEST Marinara Sauce delivers a rich, homemade taste that’s perfect for everything from pasta to pizza, with the added benefit of being ready for canning.
Why This Marinara Sauce Works So Well
This marinara truly shines due to its generous foundation of 12 pounds of ripe tomatoes, ensuring an intense, natural tomato flavor that store-bought sauces simply can't match. The careful selection of dried herbs—rosemary, oregano, basil, thyme, fennel seeds, and sage—creates a complex, aromatic profile that deepens during cooking. We also rely on dried minced onion for a concentrated burst of savory flavor, especially beneficial for long-term storage.
What to Expect from Your Homemade Sauce
Prepare for a marinara sauce that is wonderfully rich and vibrant, with a beautiful deep red hue. Each spoonful offers a harmonious balance of sweet, savory, and aromatic notes, thanks to the brown sugar, sea salt, dark balsamic vinegar, and the robust blend of herbs. While it takes a little time at the stovetop, the resulting depth of flavor is absolutely worth it, transforming simple meals into something special.
Customization & Variations
While this recipe is built for robust flavor, you can easily adapt it. If you prefer a bit of heat, stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes during the cooking process. For an even more garlic-forward sauce, you could increase the amount of fresh minced garlic to your preference. If you’re not planning to can and want to experiment, a splash of red wine or a strip of orange peel can add another layer of complexity to the simmer.
Serving & Context
This versatile marinara sauce is the ultimate companion to any pasta dish, a fantastic base for homemade pizzas, or a delightful dipping sauce for crusty bread or mozzarella sticks. Its rich flavor also makes it an excellent foundation for lasagna, chicken parmesan, or even a hearty minestrone. With canning instructions, you can stock your pantry and enjoy authentic Italian flavors whenever the craving strikes.