The Classic Marinara Sauce Recipe In 2 Versions To Spiced Up Your Pizza And Pasta

Who doesn't know about marinara sauce? The marinara sauce is a classic Italian sauce. It's a staple sauce in Italian-American cuisine. But what is marinara sauce?

Marinara sauce is an Italian tomato-based sauce. This sauce is made with tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, basil, and oregano.

You may want to ask why learning marinara sauce is important for beginners? Marinara sauce is very popular for its simplicity and versatility. It's easy to make, even for beginners. It also can be used in many kinds of dishes, from pizza to pasta.

• 6-8 ripe tomatoes (about 2 pounds)
• 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil (or a handful of fresh basil leaves, chopped)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (adjust to taste)
• Optional: a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat
• Optional: 1-2 teaspoons sugar
• Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)

1. First, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Meanwhile, score the bottoms of each tomato with a shallow "X" using a knife.

2. Prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl with ice and water.

3. Once the water is boiling, carefully lower the tomatoes into the boiling water using a slotted spoon.

4. Boil the tomatoes for about 30 seconds to 1 minute until you see the skin starting to peel away.

5. Quickly remove the tomatoes from the boiling water and transfer them to the ice bath to stop the cooking process.

6. Once cooled, peel off the tomato skins. They should come off easily where you made the "X" cut.

7. After peeling, chop the tomatoes into small pieces. Don't forget to remove the cores from the tomatoes.

8. In a large skillet or saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Then, add the chopped onions and sauté for about 5 minutes until they become translucent and soft.

9. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.

10. Add the chopped tomatoes to the pan, along with the dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.

11. If your tomatoes are not very sweet, you can add a bit of sugar to balance the acidity.

12. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 20-30 minutes, uncovered, stirring occasionally. The sauce will thicken as it cooks.

• 1 can (28 ounces) of crushed tomatoes
• 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (adjust to taste)
• Optional: a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat (adjust to taste)
• Optional: 1-2 teaspoons sugar (if you prefer a sweeter sauce)
• Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)

1. In a large skillet or saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Then, add the chopped onions and sauté for about 5 minutes until they become translucent and soft.

2. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.

3. Add the can of crushed tomatoes to the pan. After that, stir in the dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.

4. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, you can add a bit of sugar at this stage.

5. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 15-20 minutes, uncovered, stirring occasionally. The sauce will thicken, and the flavors will meld as it cooks.

6. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or herbs if needed.

7. Your canned crushed tomato marinara sauce is ready to serve! You can use it immediately over cooked pasta, as a pizza sauce, or in any recipe that calls for marinara sauce.

1. Prepare Fresh Tomatoes Properly: If using fresh tomatoes, blanch them in boiling water, then peel and chop them. Removing the skins will result in a smoother sauce.

2. Sauté the Onions and Garlic: Sauté the onions and garlic in olive oil until they are soft and translucent. This step builds a flavorful base for the sauce.

3. Season Gradually: Add seasonings gradually and taste as you go. You can always add more salt, pepper, or herbs later, but it's hard to correct an over-seasoned sauce.

5. Consider Sweetness: If the sauce tastes too acidic due to the tomatoes, you can balance it with a small amount of sugar. Add a little at a time and taste until you achieve the desired sweetness.

6. Fresh Herbs vs. Dried Herbs: Fresh herbs, like basil, add a burst of flavor when added towards the end of cooking. Dried herbs, on the other hand, can be added earlier in the process.

7. Storage: Marinara sauce stores well, so consider making extra to freeze or refrigerate for future use. It can also be canned using proper canning techniques.