This classic marinara sauce captures the essence of Southern Italian cooking with its bright tomato flavor and aromatic garlic. Made with just olive oil, garlic, plum tomatoes, and fresh basil, it delivers a rich yet light consistency that pairs perfectly with pasta or fried foods. The sauce simmers slowly to allow the flavors to meld, resulting in a thick, glossy texture that holds its shape on a spoon. It’s a versatile base that can be enjoyed immediately or stored for later use, making it an essential staple for any home cookâÂÂs repertoire.
Marinara Sauce
Description
This classic marinara sauce captures the essence of Southern Italian cooking with its bright tomato flavor and aromatic garlic. Made with just olive oil, garlic, plum tomatoes, and fresh basil, it delivers a rich yet light consistency that pairs perfectly with pasta or fried foods. The sauce simmers slowly to allow the flavors to meld, resulting in a thick, glossy texture that holds its shape on a spoon. It&# 226;ÂÂs a versatile base that can be enjoyed immediately or stored for later use, making it an essential staple for any home cookâÂÂs repertoire.Ingredients
Directions
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In a medium nonreactive skillet, heat the olive oil over moderately low heat.
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Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until golden, about 4 minutes.
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Add the tomatoes, salt, and pepper to the skillet.
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Cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 30 minutes.
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Stir in the basil just before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 3
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 207.1kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 15.2g24%
- Saturated Fat 2.1g11%
- Cholesterol 0.0mg0%
- Sodium 8.5mg1%
- Total Carbohydrate 16.5g6%
- Dietary Fiber 1.1g5%
- Sugars 0.5g
- Protein 3.2g7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
The sauce can be made ahead and kept covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Crushed, peeled garlic cloves can be discarded after browning for a very subtle flavor or left in and discarded at the end of cooking for a slightly more emphatic garlic taste. More often than not, I use minced garlic and leave it in, which gives the sauce a strong garlic flavor.
Many southern Italians refer to a quick tomato sauce as "marinara" because it could be made at a moment's notice by a fisherman's wife upon her husband's return.
Serve over breaded or fried foods or mixed into baked pasta dishes or spaghetti. It is the most common southern Italian tomato sauce.
This is a simple marinara base which can be later adjusted by adding sauteed onions, other fresh herbs such as oregano, parsley, marjoram or rosemary, or by adding hot peppers.
