Tootsie'S Marinara Sauce
A hearty marinara sauce featuring tomatoes, garlic, onions, and herbs, perfect for pasta lovers and versatile for meat additions or vegetarian dishes.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a 2-quart saucepan, saute onion, garlic, and mushrooms in oil until tender, but not brown.
- Stir in remaining ingredients.
- Simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a splash of red wine while simmering. If you're out of fresh parsley, dried parsley can work as a substitute, just use a smaller amount. To make this marinara sauce even healthier, add in some shredded carrots or zucchini for extra nutrients and texture. This sauce can also be made in larger batches, making it ideal for recipes like Spaghetti Sauce (Makes 10 To 12 Quarts).
Serving Suggestions
This marinara sauce is perfect over pasta, especially with Healthy Pasta dishes for a nutritious meal. It also pairs beautifully with a Sicilian Steak Sandwich for a hearty lunch. Consider serving it alongside garlic bread or a fresh salad to round out your meal. For a vegetarian option, use it as a base for a minestrone vegetarian soup.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover marinara sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. To freeze, portion the sauce into freezer-safe bags or containers, and it will last for about three months. When reheating, do so gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth if it thickens too much.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Tootsie'S Marinara Sauce contains roughly 157 calories, with 7g protein, 35g carbohydrates, and 3g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (201% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (73% of the Daily Value), and iron (70% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1804mg per serving (78% 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, about 3-4 pounds of ripe tomatoes will yield sufficient crushed tomatoes. Just peel and chop them before adding to the pot, but remember to adjust the cooking time as fresh tomatoes may take longer to break down.
What can I add to enhance the flavor further?
Consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes for a bit of heat, or a bay leaf while simmering for additional depth. Fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary can also elevate the flavor profile of your marinara sauce.
Is this sauce suitable for freezing?
Absolutely! This marinara sauce freezes well. Just make sure to cool it completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating, and it will taste just as delicious as when freshly made.
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).