Real Recipes From Real Home Cooks ®

marinara sauce

Recipe by
debbie lopez
Northen, CA

I have made this Marinara many times to use on a side pasta, eggplant parmesan or other such dishes. This a good make-a-head sauce that will save you time in the kitchen. It is also super simple to make and is good for beginning cooks. Marinara is an Italian style vegetarian tomato sauce and is very different from the long simmering meat based Bolognese.

yield 6 cups
prep time 5 Min
cook time 30 Min
method Stove Top

Ingredients For marinara sauce

  • 56 oz
    tomatoes, crushed, canned
  • 1/8 c
    olive oil, extra virgin
  • 1 clove
    garlic, large, diced
  • 1 1/2 tsp
    salt, or to taste
  • 1 pinch
    dried pepper flakes
  • 2 tsp
    basil, dried
  • 2 tsp
    oregano, dried

How To Make marinara sauce

  • 1
    Heat the olive oil in a sauce pan over medium heat. Add the garlic when hot, and sprinkle with 1/2 of the salt. Add basil leaves, oregano, and the crushed pepper flakes. After about 1 minute or so, the garlic will have flavored the oil - do NOT let the garlic brown (browning the garlic will ruin the flavor of the sauce).
  • 2
    Now add the crushed tomatoes, stir well. Bring to a boil then reduce and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes stirring occasionally.
  • 3
    Remove the sauce from heat and let sit for about 2-hours (this 2-hour room temp sitting brings together the flavors). Then reheat and use. DON’T OVERCOOK THIS!!! The long-simmered sauces are different, from a marinara.
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