Basic Marinara Sauce
A versatile and flavorful marinara sauce featuring ripe tomatoes, fragrant garlic, fresh basil, and a hint of red pepper. Perfect for pairing with pasta, this sauce is quick to prepare and packs a savory punch, making it ideal for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings with friends.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a deep 12-inch skillet and sauté garlic until tender, but do not burn.
- Cut tomatoes into small chunks and add to the skillet.
- Add basil, oregano, parsley, salt, and pepper, and bring to a low boil for 3 minutes.
- Add wine and cook on moderate heat for 15 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let stand for 15 minutes.
- Serve over 1 pound of pasta.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor of your marinara sauce, try adding a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes. If you don’t have fresh basil, dried basil works well too; just use about a tablespoon. For a richer taste, consider adding a splash of balsamic vinegar. This sauce pairs beautifully with Potato Gnocchi or can be used as a base for Ruth Rubendunst'S Tomato Sauce.
Serving Suggestions
This marinara sauce is perfect served over your favorite pasta, such as spaghetti or penne. For a complete meal, pair it with Tom'S Favorite Italian Salad and a side of Italian-Style Broccoli. You can also use it as a topping for meatballs or as a base for pizza, giving it versatility in your meal planning.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover marinara sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, simply warm it on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally, or microwave in short intervals, stirring in between, until heated through. You can also freeze the sauce for up to 3 months.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Basic Marinara Sauce contains roughly 172 calories, with 5g protein, 32g carbohydrates, and 5g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (214% of the Daily Value), iron (54% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (45% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and protein. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1867mg per serving (81% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned tomatoes instead of fresh?
Yes, canned whole plum tomatoes are excellent for marinara sauce as they are often picked at peak ripeness. Just make sure to drain excess liquid if desired. You can also use crushed tomatoes for a smoother sauce.
Is it possible to make this sauce vegan?
Absolutely! This marinara sauce is already vegan, as it contains no animal products. Enjoy it with your favorite vegan pasta or use it as a base for various vegan recipes.
How can I make this sauce spicier?
To add more heat, increase the amount of crushed red pepper or include a dash of cayenne pepper. You can also add chopped fresh chili peppers when sautéing the garlic for an extra kick.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).