Best 10 Mamas Marinara Sauce Recipes

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Indulge in culinary bliss with "Mama's Marinara Sauce," a timeless recipe passed down through generations. This delectable sauce, crafted with the finest, vine-ripened tomatoes, aromatic herbs, and a symphony of spices, promises an explosion of flavors to tantalize your taste buds. Whether you seek a classic marinara to elevate your pasta dishes, a versatile sauce to complement your favorite proteins, or a flavorful base for your homemade pizza, this recipe has you covered. Dive into the culinary journey and discover the secrets behind this cherished family heirloom, creating unforgettable meals that will leave your loved ones craving more.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

MAMA'S MARINARA SAUCE AND MEATBALLS



Mama's Marinara Sauce and Meatballs image

In culinary school, Rocco DiSpirito learned the term Mother Sauce, which refers to a sauce that is the base for other sauces. When he opened Rocco's and was developing the recipes for it, he and his cooks joked that marinara was "Mama Saucer" because it is an ingredient in many other dishes, and of course it's the mother of all sauces. It is also excellent on its own, especially with fresh pasta, which is more porous than dried pasta and therefore grabs the sauce and thickens it. I encourage you to make this in large quantities and keep it on hand in glass or plastic containers. It will keep in your refrigerator for weeks or your freezer for months. His mama is known better for these meatballs than she ever could have imagined. In Italy, meatballs, or polpette, are usually a lot smaller and, weird as it may seem, never eaten with pasta. They are served alone or in soup. In the United States, they became a lot bigger and are eaten alone, on heros, with spaghetti, and even on pizza. There are a lot of meatballs out there, folks, and I'm sure you have tasted your fair share, but I believe these are the best meatballs in the world. I can't, to this day, pinpoint what it is that makes them so phenomenal; I think it is largely the fact that you mix and roll them by hand. They are not dense like many meatballs, but they also don't fall apart in tomato sauce. It's not just my bias speaking here; everyone loves them. People who hate pork love them; people who never go near veal can't get enough. Vegetarians make exceptions for them. I encourage you to make these meatballs your own. Your kids will love something you make by hand, too.

Provided by By The Lake

Categories     Meat

Time 3h

Yield 20 meatballs, 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 23

3 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
1/2 onion, peeled and chopped fine
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 (28 ounce) cans tomato puree
1 (23 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup chicken stock
1/4 onion
2 garlic cloves, peeled
1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley
1/2 lb ground beef
1/2 lb ground pork
1/2 lb ground veal
1/3 cup plain breadcrumbs
2 eggs
1/4 cup parmigiano-reggiano cheese, grated
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup olive oil

Steps:

  • MAMA'S MARINARA SAUCE.
  • Cook the garlic and onion in the olive oil in a sauce pot over a medium-low flame, about 10 minutes or until garlic is tender and onions translucent, not brown (this is called "sweating" because it will draw out a lot of moisture and flavor).
  • Add all the tomato products. Pour the chicken stock into one of the 28-ounce cans. Fill it the rest of the way with water and add that and the sugar to the pot. Stir and bring to a simmer. Taste and season with red pepper flakes and salt, and cover. Simmer the sauce for about 1 hour. The sauce should be fairly thin but not watery and very smooth. Uncover and simmer for 3 minutes. If it is too thin for your taste, add a little water if it seems thick.
  • MAMA'S MEATBALLS.
  • Place the chicken stock, onion, garlic, and parsley in a food processor and purée.
  • In a large bowl, combine the puréed stock mix, meat, bread crumbs, eggs, Parmigiano-Reggiano, red pepper flakes, and salt. Combine with both hands until the mixture is distributed evenly. Do not overmix.
  • Put a little olive oil on your hands and form the mixture into balls a little larger than golf balls. They should be about ¼ cup each, though if you prefer bigger or smaller, it will only affect the browning time.
  • Pour about ½ inch of olive oil into a straight-sided, 10-inch-wide sauté pan and heat over a medium-high flame. Add the meatballs to the pan (working in batches, if necessary) and brown the meatballs well on all sides. This will take about 10 to 15 minutes.
  • While the meatballs are browning, heat the marinara sauce in a stockpot over medium heat. Lift the meatballs out of the sauté pan with a slotted spoon and put them in the marinara sauce. Stir gently. Simmer for one hour.
  • Serve with a little extra Parmigiano-Reggiano sprinkled on top.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 455.8, Fat 27, SaturatedFat 7.3, Cholesterol 124.2, Sodium 1096.6, Carbohydrate 29.9, Fiber 5.7, Sugar 14.5, Protein 26.4

MAMA'S MARINARA



Mama's Marinara image

Make and share this Mama's Marinara recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Nat Da Brat

Categories     Vegetable

Time 2h

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

3 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 yellow onion, peeled and chopped fine
3 tablespoons olive oil
chili flakes
2 (28 ounce) cans tomato puree, red pack brand if possible
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes, red pack brand if possible
1 tablespoon tomato paste, red pack brand if possible
1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup chicken stock
red pepper flakes
salt

Steps:

  • Cook the garlic and onion in the olive oil in a sauce pot over a medium-low flame, about 10 minutes or until garlic is tender and onions translucent, not brown (this is called"sweating" because it will draw out a lot of moisture and flavor).
  • Add the chili flakes to taste.
  • Add all the tomato products.
  • Pour the chicken stock into one of the 28-oz cans.
  • Fill it the rest of the way with water and add that and the sugar to the pot.
  • Stir and bring to a simmer.
  • Taste and season with salt and cover.
  • Simmer the sauce for about 1 hour (the sauce should be fairly thin, but not watery and very smooth).
  • Uncover and simmer for 3 minutes if it is too thin for your taste; add a little water if it seems thick.

MARINARA SAUCE



Marinara Sauce image

For a go-to standby using canned tomatoes, get Ina Garten's easy, homemade Marinara Sauce recipe from Barefoot Contessa on Food Network.

Provided by Ina Garten

Time 45m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 tablespoon good olive oil
1 cup chopped yellow onion (1 onion)
1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/2 cup good red wine, such as Chianti
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, or plum tomatoes in puree, chopped
1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Heat the olive oil in a large (12-inch) skillet. Add the onion and saute over medium heat until translucent, 5 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the wine and cook on high heat, scraping up all the brown bits in the pan, until almost all the liquid evaporates, about 3 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, parsley, salt, and pepper. Cover, and simmer on the lowest heat for 15 minutes.

MAMA'S MARINARA SAUCE



Mama's Marinara Sauce image

I saw this recipe on the back of a Hunt's Tomato Paste can and tried it with some variation. It's a nice quick sauce for when you want "homemade" but fast.

Provided by CookingONTheSide

Categories     Sauces

Time 20m

Yield 11 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 (18 ounce) can tomato paste
4 cups hot water
3 (14 1/2 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with basil oregano and garlic
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
salt, to taste (optional)
pepper, to taste (optional)

Steps:

  • Heat the olive oil in a small saucepan on medium-low heat.
  • Add garlic and saute gently for about 2-3 minutes.
  • Combine tomato paste and water in the saucepan; blend in tomatoes.
  • Add fresh parsley.
  • Heat over high heat until sauce begins to boil.
  • Reduce heat; simmer 10 minutes.
  • Add salt and/or pepper, to taste.
  • Serve over hot, cooked pasta.
  • Or try as a dipping sauce for breadsticks, pizza crust, fried cheese sticks or vegetables.

MARINARA



Marinara image

My mother, who was Italian American, called marinara sauce "gravy." She made this marinara sauce recipe in big batches several times a month, so it was a staple on our dinner table. A mouthwatering aroma filled the house each time she cooked it. -James Grimes, Frenchtown, New Jersey

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h20m

Yield 5 cups

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 cans (28 ounces each) whole tomatoes
1 large onion, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1-1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onions; cook and stir until tender, 3-5 minutes. Add garlic; cook and stir 1 minute longer. Stir in remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until thickened and flavors are blended, 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally and breaking up tomatoes with wooden spoon.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 44 calories, Fat 4g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 178mg sodium, Carbohydrate 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 0 protein.

MAMMA MIA MARINARA SAUCE



Mamma Mia Marinara Sauce image

I have been making this sauce for years and my kids loved it. Now I make it for my clients and they all ask for it !!!

Provided by Sherry Gerber

Categories     Other Sauces

Time 45m

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 onion, finely chopped
2 carrots, peeled and diced
2 celery stalks, diced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 Tbsp italian seasoning
1 Tbsp olive oil, extra virgin
1 can(s) 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
pinch sugar, if needed

Steps:

  • 1. Dice and mince all your veggies. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a non stick skillet and add your vegetables. Saute about 5-10 minutes until the vegetables begin to get soft. Add the crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning and salt and pepper.Cover and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. If you want to make it a little bit spicier, add some crushed red pepper flakes. If you find that it is too acidic, you can also add some sugar. Serve over any pasta shape and enjoy. I make a double batch and freeze some of it when needed for any recipes calling for marinara sauce.

MARINARA SAUCE AKA "GRANDMA'S SAUCE"



Marinara Sauce Aka

Okay, this is the biggy recipe that is a staple in our family going back generations. It is the recipe responsible for probably half of the fat on my posterior!!!! LOL If you want to make it with meatballs, the family recipe is Recipe #191817....

Provided by Doxie lover in the

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 4h30m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

12 links italian sweet sausage or 12 meatballs
2 small onions, sliced
8 garlic cloves
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 ounces tomato paste
2 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
14 ounces water
2 teaspoons dried basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup merlot (optional) or 1 cup red wine (optional)
1/8 cup sugar (optional)

Steps:

  • Brown sausage in separate pan.
  • Garlic press the garlic (or mince) and brown in the olive oil in a large pot. When brown, add sliced onion and cook until slightly translucent.
  • Add tomatoe paste to onion mixture and mix thoroughly. Add crushed tomatoes, basil, salt, pepper and water and stir well.
  • Finally, add sausage (and/or meatballs--see my other recipe) and bring to light boil.
  • Once boiling, decrease heat to simmer and cover . Cook on simmer for 3-4 hours stirring occassionly.
  • If you can't wait the full 3-4 hours add a dash of sugar and it equals about 1 hour of cooking time.
  • Add red wine during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
  • Suggestion: Serve over pasta with grated parmesan, salad, and bread -- .

Nutrition Facts : Calories 382.2, Fat 19.2, SaturatedFat 6.2, Cholesterol 50.4, Sodium 1796.6, Carbohydrate 25.6, Fiber 4.6, Sugar 11.9, Protein 30.1

CLASSIC MARINARA SAUCE



Classic Marinara Sauce image

Homemade marinara is almost as fast and tastes immeasurably better than even the best supermarket sauce - and it's made with basic pantry ingredients. All the tricks to a bright red, lively-tasting sauce, made just as it is in the south of Italy (no butter, no onions) are in this recipe. Use a skillet instead of the usual saucepan: the water evaporates quickly, so the tomatoes are just cooked through as the sauce becomes thick. (Our colleagues over at Wirecutter have spent a lot of time testing skillets to find the best on the market. If you're looking to purchase one, check out their skillet guide.)

Provided by Julia Moskin

Categories     quick, condiments, dips and spreads, sauces and gravies

Time 25m

Yield 3 1/2 cups, enough for 1 pound of pasta

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 28-ounce can whole San Marzano tomatoes, certified D.O.P. if possible
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
7 garlic cloves, peeled and slivered
Small dried whole chile, or pinch crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 large fresh basil sprig, or 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, more to taste

Steps:

  • Pour tomatoes into a large bowl and crush with your hands. Pour 1 cup water into can and slosh it around to get tomato juices. Reserve.
  • In a large skillet (do not use a deep pot) over medium heat, heat the oil. When it is hot, add garlic.
  • As soon as garlic is sizzling (do not let it brown), add the tomatoes, then the reserved tomato water. Add whole chile or red pepper flakes, oregano (if using) and salt. Stir.
  • Place basil sprig, including stem, on the surface (like a flower). Let it wilt, then submerge in sauce. Simmer sauce until thickened and oil on surface is a deep orange, about 15 minutes. (If using oregano, taste sauce after 10 minutes of simmering, adding more salt and oregano as needed.) Discard basil and chile (if using).

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 94, UnsaturatedFat 7 grams, Carbohydrate 6 grams, Fat 8 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 1 gram, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 275 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams

DOLLY SINATRA'S MARINARA SAUCE



Dolly Sinatra's Marinara Sauce image

Provided by Alex Witchel

Categories     dinner, easy, main course

Time 45m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

1/2 cup olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes with puree
1 sprig fresh oregano, finely chopped
1 teaspoon dried basil, crumbled
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, crumbled
Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until the oil is fragrant and is seasoned, about 2 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, and purée. Heat to simmering, and cook on low heat until the sauce thickens, about 20 minutes.
  • Add the oregano, basil and Italian seasoning, and mix well. Season with salt and pepper. Cook on low heat for another 15 minutes or so as it thickens.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 738, UnsaturatedFat 24 grams, Carbohydrate 103 grams, Fat 29 grams, Fiber 8 grams, Protein 19 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 839 milligrams, Sugar 13 grams

MAMA LEONE'S ITALIAN TOMATO SAUCE (GOOD FOR MANY USES)



Mama Leone's Italian Tomato Sauce (Good for Many Uses) image

I grew up across the street from a real Mama Leone-an amazing Irish woman who had an Italian husband and a live-in Italian mother-in-law who taught her to cook. This awesome recipe was a neighbourhood favourite. It has been equally popular with everyone who has ever tasted it. It is an all-purpose Italian sauce. I usually make it for spaghetti and have added optional instructions for that purpose. Without the meat, it is vegan friendly. It's also a good pizza sauce base. You can add other herbs, spices and vegetables if you like, but we have always kept it simple. That's why once it was a lifesaver for a friend who is allergic to garlic. The sauce freezes extremely well.

Provided by Leggy Peggy

Categories     Sauces

Time 3h10m

Yield 10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

16 ounces tomato sauce (puree)
16 ounces tomato paste (concentrate)
80 ounces water (that's five cans of water from the tomato cans you've used)
3 teaspoons salt (the original recipe called for six, but that is way too salty these days)
1/4 cup white sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (some friends who make this insist they need to use more cinnamon. I have a very good quality cinnamo)
2 dried hot red chiles (you can substitute chilli flakes about 1/4 teaspoon)
2 bay leaves
2 lbs lean hamburger (optional)
2 medium onions, chopped (optional)

Steps:

  • Put all ingredients (except the meat and onions) in a large pot.
  • Stir well and bring to a boil. Continue to stir occasionally until it boils, so the cinnamon is incorporated.
  • Reduce to a simmer and cook for three to four hours. Continue to stir occasionally. You can speed up this step, if you leave it on a boil, but I think the flavour improves if it is not rushed.
  • The sauce needs to cook until it bloops-namely until the sauce splashes out of the pot and makes a bit of a mess on the stove top (or wall in my case).
  • Remove and discard the chillies and bay leaves.
  • What to do next if you intend to serve this sauce over pasta. Saute the beef until it loses most of its pink colouring, then add the onions and saute until tender.
  • Drain off any fat.
  • Add meat mixture to cooked sauce and stir well.
  • Heat the mixture well, then ladle over pasta.

Tips:

  • Use ripe tomatoes: The riper the tomatoes, the sweeter and more flavorful your sauce will be. If you can, use fresh tomatoes from your garden or a local farmer's market.
  • Use a variety of tomatoes: Don't just use one type of tomato. Use a combination of different types, such as Roma, San Marzano, and cherry tomatoes. This will give your sauce a more complex flavor.
  • Roast the tomatoes before making the sauce: Roasting the tomatoes concentrates their flavor and makes them sweeter. You can roast the tomatoes in the oven or on the grill.
  • Use good quality olive oil: The olive oil you use will make a big difference in the flavor of your sauce. Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil.
  • Simmer the sauce for at least 30 minutes: The longer you simmer the sauce, the more flavorful it will be. Simmer it for at least 30 minutes, or even longer if you have time.

Conclusion:

Mama's marinara sauce is a delicious and versatile sauce that can be used on pasta, pizza, or as a dipping sauce. It's easy to make and can be customized to your own taste. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give Mama's marinara sauce a try. You won't be disappointed.

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