Super Simple Marinara Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 large can whole peeled tomatoes*
28 ounces
- 1 medium yellow onion
peeled and halved
- 2 large cloves garlic
peeled but left whole
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
optional, omit if sensitive to spice
- to taste, if necessarySalt
- Optional
for serving: Cooked pasta, grated Parmesan cheese or vegan Parmesan, chopped fresh basil, additional olive oil
Directions
- 1
In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the tomatoes (with their juices), halved onion, garlic cloves, olive oil, oregano and red pepper flakes (if using).
- 2
Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium-high heat, then lower the heat to keep the sauce at a slow, steady simmer for about 45 minutes, or until droplets of oil float free of the tomatoes. Stir occasionally, and use a sturdy wooden spoon to crush the tomatoes against the side of the pot after about 15 minutes has passed.
- 3
Remove the pot from the heat and discard the onion. Smash the garlic cloves against the side of the pot with a fork, then stir the smashed garlic into the sauce. Do the same with any tiny onion pieces you might find. Use the wooden spoon to crush the tomatoes to your liking (you can blend this sauce smooth with an immersion blender or stand blender, if desired).
- 4
Add salt, to taste (the tomatoes are already pretty salty, so you might just need a pinch). Serve warm. This sauce keeps well, covered and refrigerated, for up to 4 days. Freeze it for up to 6 months.
Super Simple Marinara Sauce
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Based on 476 ratings
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About this Recipe
Craving a rich, flavorful marinara sauce that tastes like it simmered all day but comes together with minimal effort? Our Super Simple Marinara Sauce is your answer, requiring just 5 basic ingredients and absolutely no chopping. You'll love how easy it is to achieve authentic, robust flavor.
This recipe redefines "easy," achieving incredible depth of flavor without the usual fuss. The magic lies in letting quality ingredients shine, with whole peeled tomatoes, a halved onion, and whole garlic cloves slowly melding into a wonderfully smooth, robust sauce. It's truly a game-changer for weeknight meals, proving that simplicity can lead to the "best" results.
Prepare for a velvety, savory marinara that balances the natural sweetness of ripe whole peeled tomatoes with the aromatic warmth of garlic and dried oregano. The long, gentle simmer coaxes out deep, complex flavors, creating a sauce that feels both authentic and incredibly comforting. You'll achieve a rustic yet refined sauce, perfect for coating your favorite pasta or enriching other dishes. If you choose to include the red pepper flakes, expect a subtle, pleasant warmth that awakens the palate without overwhelming the other vibrant ingredients.
While perfect as is, you can easily tailor this Super Simple Marinara Sauce. For those sensitive to heat, simply omit the pinch of red pepper flakes. Adjust the salt to your preference after the sauce has simmered and its flavors have concentrated. When serving, elevate your dish with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese (or a vegan alternative) and a scattering of fresh basil for bright, herbaceous notes. A final drizzle of additional extra-virgin olive oil can add a luxurious finish.
This versatile Super Simple Marinara Sauce is ideal for a classic pasta night, effortlessly transforming a simple dish into something truly special. It's also fantastic as a flavorful base for lasagna, pizza, or as a rich dipping sauce for crusty breadsticks. Serve it generously over your favorite cooked pasta, perhaps with a side salad, for a truly satisfying and easy meal that will impress.