Description
Ina Garten’s Marinara Sauce is a classic tomato sauce made with ripe tomatoes, garlic, onions, and a blend of Italian herbs. The sauce is simmered to perfection, allowing the flavors to meld together into a rich, hearty sauce. It’s a versatile base that can be used for pasta dishes, as a pizza sauce, or as a flavorful addition to many other recipes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 cans (28 ounces each) of whole peeled tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon of sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon of dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
- 1/4 cup of fresh basil, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Sauté the Onions and Garlic: In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté for about 8-10 minutes until they are soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- Add the Tomatoes: Carefully add the canned tomatoes to the pan, including the juice. Use a wooden spoon to break up the tomatoes into smaller pieces.
- Season the Sauce: Stir in the sugar (if using), salt, black pepper, dried oregano, dried basil, and crushed red pepper flakes. Mix well to combine.
- Simmer the Sauce: Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pan and let the sauce simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Blend the Sauce (Optional): If you prefer a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender directly in the pot to puree the sauce to your desired consistency. Alternatively, you can transfer the sauce to a blender and puree in batches.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed, adding more salt, pepper, or herbs to your liking.
- Serve: If using fresh basil, stir it into the sauce just before serving. The sauce can be served immediately over pasta, used as a pizza base, or stored for later use.