Easy Homemade Marinara Sauce Recipe
A simple and flavorful homemade marinara sauce made with quality ingredients and slow-simmered to perfection. This easy recipe features olive oil, garlic, onions, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, and herbs, enhanced with soy and Worcestershire sauces for a rich umami boost. Perfect for pasta, pizza, or as a base for many Italian dishes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: About 2 cups (500 ml)
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Marinara Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium brown onion, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 2-3 tbsp tomato paste, best quality
- 1 tsp Italian herb mix
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 cans crushed tomatoes (about 800 g total)
- 1 cup / 250 ml beef, chicken or vegetable stock, good quality
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare aromatics: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, for about 60 seconds until fragrant and softened.
- Add tomato paste and seasonings: Increase the heat to medium-high. Stir in 2-3 tablespoons of tomato paste, 1 teaspoon of Italian herb mix, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Cook and stir until the tomato paste begins to bubble and caramelize slightly, enhancing its depth of flavor.
- Add liquids and basil: Pour in 2 cans of crushed tomatoes, 1 cup of good quality stock (beef, chicken, or vegetable), 1 teaspoon soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce. Stir well to combine. Add chopped basil and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Simmer the sauce: Reduce the heat to low and cover the pot with a lid. Let the sauce simmer gently for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. During this time, the sauce will thicken, flavors will deepen, and liquid will reduce. Take care not to let the sauce burn. For a thicker sauce (ideal for pizza), simmer longer, adjusting heat as needed.
- Final adjustments and serving: Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if necessary. For pasta use, cook your favorite pasta according to package instructions and add 2-3 tablespoons of reserved pasta water to the sauce if it’s too thick. Serve immediately or store for later use.
Notes
- Use high-quality crushed tomatoes, preferably from an Italian deli, for the best flavor.
- If available, choose fresh Australian-grown garlic for superior taste.
- Soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce add umami without a noticeable soy flavor; they are optional but recommended.
- This sauce pairs well with any pasta or as a pizza base.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days or freeze in zip-lock bags for several months.
- Nutrition information is based on one cup of sauce and yields about 2 cups depending on simmering time.
Find it online: https://deliciousyum.com/easy-homemade-marinara-sauce-recipe/
