Mama's Marinara Sauce

Transform your kitchen into an Italian trattoria with Mama's Marinara Sauce, a timeless recipe bursting with authentic flavor and comforting aromas. This homemade marinara sauce combines simple pantry staples like crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and aromatic herbs, elevated by sautéed onions and garlic for a robust, savory base. A touch of sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes, while optional fresh basil and parsley add a pop of garden-fresh brightness. Ready in just 50 minutes, this versatile sauce is perfect for tossing with your favorite pasta, layering onto pizza, or serving as a dipping sauce for garlic bread. Whether you're preparing a cozy family dinner or meal-prepping for the week, this recipe promises to be a comforting crowd-pleaser.

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can canned crushed tomatoes (28 oz can)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
• 4 leaves fresh basil leaves, torn (optional)

Directions

Step 1

In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, being careful not to burn the garlic.

Step 4

Pour in the canned crushed tomatoes, and add the tomato paste for extra depth and richness.

Step 5

Stir in the dried basil, dried oregano, sugar, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.

Step 6

Lower the heat to a gentle simmer and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 7

Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning as needed. If it tastes too acidic, add an additional pinch of sugar.

Step 8

Once the sauce has thickened and the flavors have melded, stir in the fresh parsley and torn basil leaves, if using, for added freshness.

Step 9

Remove from heat and let the sauce cool slightly before serving. Enjoy with your favorite pasta, use as a pizza base, or pair with garlic bread for dipping.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(229.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	375.6

Total Fat 28.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2398.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 28.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 5.3g	0%
Total Sugars 14.4g
Protein 4.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 100.0mg	0%
Iron 3.0mg	0%
Potassium 723.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 66.0%

Protein: 4.5%

Carbs: 29.5%