Mary's Savory Marinara Sauce

Elevate your Italian-inspired dishes with Mary’s Savory Marinara Sauce, a comforting blend of rich flavors and simple ingredients. This classic homemade marinara recipe starts with the aromatic base of sautéed yellow onion and minced garlic, perfectly complemented by robust crushed tomatoes, a touch of tomato paste, and a medley of dried herbs like oregano and basil. A hint of red pepper flakes adds optional heat, while a delicate balance of sugar and freshly ground black pepper enhances its natural sweetness and depth. Simmered to perfection for 30 minutes, this versatile sauce is ideal as a topping for pasta, a pizza base, or a dipping sauce, with the option to garnish with fresh basil for a burst of brightness. Quick to prepare and deeply flavorful, this marinara is a must-have recipe for your culinary repertoire.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium (finely diced) yellow onion
• 4 large (minced) garlic cloves
• 28 ounces (canned) crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon (optional for heat) red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon (adjust to taste) salt
• 0.5 teaspoon (freshly ground) black pepper
• 0.25 cup (chopped, optional for garnish) fresh basil
• 0.5 cup water or vegetable broth

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the finely diced onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it becomes soft and translucent.

Step 3

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

Step 4

Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir well to combine.

Step 5

Add the tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes (if using), granulated sugar, salt, and black pepper. Stir to incorporate all the ingredients evenly.

Step 6

Pour in the water or vegetable broth to achieve your desired sauce consistency.

Step 7

Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cover partially with a lid.

Step 8

Cook the sauce for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 9

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or sugar, if needed.

Step 10

Remove from heat and let the sauce cool slightly. For a smoother texture, use an immersion blender or transfer to a blender and puree.

Step 11

Serve the marinara sauce over your favorite pasta, as a pizza base, or as a dipping sauce. Garnish with fresh chopped basil if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1029.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	618.6

Total Fat 44.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2920.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 57.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 13.1g	0%
Total Sugars 31.9g
Protein 10.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 215.0mg	0%
Iron 7.3mg	0%
Potassium 2165.7mg	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: 59.4%

Protein: 6.1%

Carbs: 34.5%