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–+ servings
Spaghetti with homemade marinara sauce and fresh basil in a white bowl.

Homemade Marinara Sauce

Nobody said it has to be hard to make a marinara sauce at home. Let's get back to the basics and make a super simple, but delicious Italian Classic.
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Recipe by - Tabetha Klein
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 8
Calories 126 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 1 tablespoon Unsalted Butter
  • ½ cup Red Onion - diced
  • 2 tablespoon Garlic - minced
  • 56 oz Diced or Crushed Tomato - 4 standard cans
  • 2 tablespoon Italian Seasoning - or Basil
  • 3 teaspoon Diamond Kosher Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Fresh Ground Pepper
  • Fresh Basil - optional

Instructions
 

  • Start by adding the butter and olive oil into the pan on medium heat.
  • Add the diced onions and cook for 3-4 minutes or until translucent and slightly tender.
  • Incorporate the garlic and cook just until fragrent.
  • Next, add the tomatoes and basil. Mix, and season with kosher salt & fresh ground pepper.
  • Let simmer for about 20-30 minutes and then taste to adjust the seasoning.
  • Blend for smoother texture if desired.
  • Enjoy!

Video

Notes

  • Go low and slow on the onions: Let them soften gently until sweet and translucent before the garlic goes in. This builds the base flavor the whole sauce leans on.
  • Don't burn the garlic: It only needs a minute — the second it smells fragrant, move on. Burnt garlic turns the whole pot bitter.
  • Taste as it simmers: After 20-30 minutes, taste and adjust. A pinch of sugar softens acidic tomatoes; a little more salt wakes everything up.
  • Smooth or rustic, your call: Blend it for a silky sauce or leave it chunky for a heartier texture — both are right.
  • Storage: Keeps 4-5 days in an airtight container in the fridge and freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Make a double batch — you'll be glad you did.

Nutrition

Calories: 126kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 3gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 461mgPotassium: 672mgFiber: 4gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 460IUVitamin C: 31mgCalcium: 152mgIron: 5mg

Nutrition information is an estimate, calculated from the listed ingredients, and provided as a courtesy.

Keyword Suace
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