Best 3 Basic Marinara Sauce Recipes

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**Unveil the Secrets of Homemade Italian Marinara Sauce: A Culinary Journey through Classic and Unique Recipes**

Prepare to embark on a tantalizing culinary adventure as we delve into the realm of homemade Italian marinara sauce. From the classic and timeless to the innovative and unexpected, this collection of recipes will guide you in crafting this versatile sauce that elevates any dish. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting your culinary journey, these recipes will empower you to create a symphony of flavors that will leave your taste buds in awe. Dive into the rich history and versatility of marinara, discover the nuances of each recipe, and unlock the secrets to transforming simple ingredients into an extraordinary culinary masterpiece.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

COOKING LIGHT'S BASIC MARINARA SAUCE



Cooking Light's Basic Marinara Sauce image

This sauce consists mostly of pantry staples. Keep canned crushed tomatoes on hand, and you can prepare a batch of sauce any time. For the best taste, look for chunky tomatoes without added herbs or spices. Buy low-sodium or no-salt-added tomatoes so the finished sauce tastes more of tomatoes than salt. Cento and Eden Organic brands are recommened. Because marinara is a long-simmered sauce, dried herbs are best. They soften and maintain more flavor during the long cook time. Crumble them in your palm to release more of their tasty essential oils. The slow heat will compromise the delicate, fruity flavor of expensive extra virgin olive oil. Regular olive oil will work nicely in the marinara. Rely on a large Dutch oven or stockpot because this recipe makes enough sauce for several meals. Cook at a low simmer - just a few bubbles every few seconds will yield the deepest taste. October 2007

Provided by JackieOhNo

Categories     Sauces

Time 1h

Yield 12 cups

Number Of Ingredients 13

3 tablespoons olive oil
3 cups chopped yellow onions (about 3 medium)
1 tablespoon sugar
3 tablespoons minced garlic (about 6 cloves)
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons dried basil
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon fennel seed, crushed
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 cups fat-free low-sodium chicken broth
3 (28 ounce) cans no-salt-added crushed tomatoes

Steps:

  • Heat oil in large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion to pan; cook 4 minutes, stirring frequently. Add sugar and next 7 ingredients (through fennel seeds); cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in vinegar; cook 30 seconds. Add broth and tomatoes; bring to a simmer. Cook over low heat for 55 minutes or until sauce thickens, stirring occasionally.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 127, Fat 4.3, SaturatedFat 0.7, Sodium 664.5, Carbohydrate 21.3, Fiber 4.7, Sugar 3.2, Protein 4.7

BASIC MARINARA SAUCE



Basic Marinara Sauce image

This is a light version of my Sunday gravy (can't give up the family recipe, top secret). Though this version is much faster than the 3-4 hours most Sunday gravies take. I NEVER measure herbs for gravy but this is about right for the amount of tomatoes used here. Hope you enjoy!

Provided by Diamond Joe

Categories     European

Time 1h

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

28 ounces crushed tomatoes
2 -3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 small onion, diced (optional)
1 ounce dry red wine (not cooking wine)
1 teaspoon dried oregano (give or take 1/2 tsp)
10 -12 basil leaves, cut fine (julienned)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
olive oil, to fry garlic and onion

Steps:

  • On low light, put tomatoes in saucepan.
  • In a frying pan, fry garlic in extra virgin olive oil, just enought to coat the pan. Once they start to sizzle, add to tomatoes and stir. If using the onion, saute in olive oil as well and add to tomotoes and stir.
  • Add wine to frying pan and scrape pan with a wood spoon. Once wine starts to boil, about 30 seconds, add to tomatoes and stir.(Be careful, do this on a low light or shut the gas off).
  • Once the gravy starts to bubble, add and stir oregano, then the basil, then season with salt and pepper.
  • Simmer on low light for about 45 minutes, stirring frequently.
  • The sky is the limit, serve over any pasta you wish. Can be used in lasagnas and parmigianas too.Leftovers can be frozen for up to 3 weeks.

BASIC MARINARA SAUCE



BASIC MARINARA SAUCE image

Categories     Sauce     Tomato

Yield 2.5 qts

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 yellow onions, peeled and diced (about 2 cups diced)
2 Tbsp olive oil
5-6 cloves of garlic, minced (about 2 Tbsp)
2 Tbsp dried herbs (basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, etc)* mixed, total
1/2 cup red wine***
12 cups peeled and seeded fresh ripe tomatoes**
salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  • In a large soup pot, heat up the olive oil. Add the onions and cook slowly, on medium heat until they start to caramelize. They should be evenly brown and soft. Cooking them this way brings out the natural sweetness in the onions. Add the garlic and dried herbs and cook for 5 minutes. Deglaze the pan with the 1/2 cup of red wine and cook for 2 minutes more. Add the tomatoes and their juice and stir to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook on low, stirring occasionally for at least 2 hours, or longer depending on the water content of the tomatoes. The sauce should be thick with much of the water evaporated to concentrate the flavor (sometimes I let it cook 4-5 hours over a very low flame). Add salt and pepper to taste. *Dried herbs hold their flavor much longer than fresh herbs so when slow cooking. If you want to use fresh herbs, add them at then end of the cooking process, just before serving. Use which ever of those herbs you prefer for a total of 2 Tablespoons. **Start with 4-5 lbs of fresh, ripe, tomatoes. If you don't have fresh tomatoes, you can use 2 (28 oz) cans of crushed tomatoes, 1 (28 oz) can of whole tomatoes and 1 (6 oz) can of tomato paste. When I use canned tomatoes, I always add a couple tablespoons of sugar to counteract the acidity of the canned tomatoes. I find I don't have to add any sugar with the ripe tomatoes from my garden. ***Many of the comments below have asked "Do I have to use red wine?" The answer is no, but it does add to the flavor and if you're going to have wine with dinner anyway, or have an open bottle, throw some in!

Tips for Making the Best Marinara Sauce

  • Use the best ingredients you can find. This means using fresh, ripe tomatoes, good olive oil, and fresh herbs. If you can, try to get your hands on San Marzano tomatoes, which are a type of plum tomato that is known for its rich flavor.
  • Don't skimp on the garlic and onion. These two ingredients are essential for building a flavorful base for your sauce. Use at least two cloves of garlic and one small onion, and don't be afraid to add more if you like.
  • Let the sauce simmer for a while. The longer you simmer the sauce, the more time the flavors will have to develop. Aim for at least 30 minutes, but you can simmer it for up to an hour if you have the time.
  • Season the sauce to taste. Add salt, pepper, and dried oregano to taste. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a little heat.
  • Serve the sauce over your favorite pasta. Marinara sauce is a classic pasta sauce, but it can also be used on pizza, chicken, or fish. Leftover sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to three months.

Conclusion

Making your own marinara sauce is a great way to save money and eat healthier. It's also a fun and rewarding experience. With a little practice, you'll be able to make a delicious marinara sauce that your family and friends will love. So what are you waiting for? Get started today!

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