Marinara Sauce With Red Wine
A rich, flavorful marinara sauce enhanced with red wine and fresh herbs, perfect for pasta, pizza, or as a hearty base for various Italian dishes.
Ingredients
- 1 cup onions, minced ⓘ
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped very fine ⓘ
- 1/4 cup olive oil ⓘ
- 1 (2 lb.) can Italian plum tomatoes
- 1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste ⓘ
- 3/4 cup dry red wine ⓘ
- 3 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped ⓘ
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon dry oregano or 1 tablespoon fresh oregano ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped (optional) ⓘ
Instructions
- Put the tomatoes in a blender.
- Puree for 1 minute if you do not want tomato chunks in the sauce.
- Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Add minced onions and chopped garlic; sauté until translucent.
- Stir in tomato paste and cook for a minute.
- Add the pureed tomatoes, dry red wine, salt, pepper, oregano, and chopped basil.
- Simmer the sauce uncovered for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Optional: stir in finely chopped parsley before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a deeper flavor, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of balsamic vinegar. If fresh basil isn't available, dried basil works in a pinch, but use half the amount. You can substitute the red wine with vegetable broth for a non-alcoholic version. To enhance the sauce's richness, try adding a tablespoon of sugar if the tomatoes are too acidic.
Serving Suggestions
This marinara sauce pairs beautifully with pasta dishes like Tomato Pasta Sauce or can be used as a base for Nancy'S Italian Stew. Serve it over your favorite pasta, or use it as a dipping sauce for Italian Garlic Bread. For a fresh touch, top with additional chopped basil or parsley before serving.
Storage & Reheating
Allow the marinara sauce to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week or frozen for up to three months. When reheating, warm it gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of water or broth if it's too thick.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Marinara Sauce With Red Wine contains roughly 432 calories, with 22g protein, 77g carbohydrates, and 13g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (222% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (150% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (91% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2106mg per serving (92% 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 fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
Yes, you can use fresh tomatoes! For this recipe, you'll need about 2-3 pounds of ripe tomatoes. Blanch them to remove the skin, then chop and proceed with the recipe. Fresh tomatoes may require a longer cooking time to break down.
Is this marinara sauce suitable for vegan diets?
Absolutely! This marinara sauce is vegan as it contains no animal products. It's perfect for those following vegan recipes or anyone looking for a hearty, plant-based sauce to enjoy with their meals.
How can I make this sauce spicier?
To add some heat to your marinara sauce, incorporate red pepper flakes or diced fresh chili peppers when sautéing the onions and garlic. Adjust the amount based on your spice tolerance for a customized 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).