Rocky's Red Sauce

Welcome to the ultimate classic Italian experience with Rocky's Red Sauce—a rich, flavorful tomato sauce that’s as versatile as it is delicious. This homemade marinara is crafted with pantry staples like olive oil, garlic, and canned crushed tomatoes, elevated by the aromatic blend of dried oregano and basil, and balanced with a touch of sugar. The secret to its depth of flavor lies in caramelizing tomato paste and allowing the sauce to slowly simmer, infusing it with hearty goodness and a subtle kick from optional red pepper flakes. Perfect for pasta, pizza, or as a dipping sauce, Rocky's Red Sauce is easy to make in under an hour and can be customized to your desired consistency. Garnished with fresh basil, this sauce is your go-to recipe for authentic, crowd-pleasing Italian meals.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

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
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 28 ounces Canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon Dried basil
• 1 teaspoon Sugar
• 0.5 teaspoon Red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 6 leaves Fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 0.5 cup Water

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes, until softened and translucent.

Step 3

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

Step 4

Add the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to caramelize it slightly and enhance its flavor.

Step 5

Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir until combined.

Step 6

Add the dried oregano, dried basil, sugar, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and ground black pepper. Stir well to distribute the seasonings.

Step 7

Add the water and stir to loosen the sauce slightly.

Step 8

Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 9

Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. For a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender to puree it to your desired consistency.

Step 10

Stir in the freshly chopped basil leaves and let the sauce simmer for an additional 5 minutes.

Step 11

Remove the sauce from the heat and let it cool slightly before serving over your favorite pasta or using as a base for other dishes.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1112.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	564.4

Total Fat 30.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3383.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 72.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 17.7g	0%
Total Sugars 46.0g
Protein 13.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 290.6mg	0%
Iron 9.2mg	0%
Potassium 3225.4mg	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: 43.9%

Protein: 8.9%

Carbs: 47.2%