Description
A rich and flavorful homemade marinara sauce made from stewed and crushed tomatoes, sautéed onions and garlic, fresh herbs, and a blend of seasonings. Perfect as a base for pasta dishes, pizzas, or any Italian-inspired meal, this sauce simmers gently to develop its robust taste and can be blended to your preferred consistency.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 6 cloves garlic, pressed
- 29 ounces stewed tomatoes (2 cans)
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (1 large can)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Sauté Onions: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely diced onions and sauté until they become translucent, signaling they are softened and releasing their sweetness.
- Add Garlic: Add the pressed garlic to the onions and stir constantly for 30 to 60 seconds to avoid burning and to release its aroma into the oil.
- Combine Ingredients: Pour in the stewed tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and chicken broth. Stir in the chopped fresh parsley, granulated sugar, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and ground black pepper to evenly distribute the seasonings throughout the sauce.
- Simmer Sauce: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then cover and let it cook for 20 to 30 minutes. For deeper flavor, you can simmer for up to 2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to blend the flavors well.
- Blend Sauce: Use an immersion blender to puree the sauce directly in the pot for a smooth texture. If you prefer a chunkier marinara, skip blending and instead use a wooden spoon to break the larger tomato pieces into your desired size.
Notes
- The longer you simmer the sauce, the more developed the flavors will be, but 20-30 minutes is sufficient for a quick, tasty result.
- Adjust the sugar level if your tomatoes are very acidic to achieve a balanced flavor.
- Fresh herbs can be substituted for dried herbs; use about three times the amount by volume if doing so.
- This sauce freezes well for up to 3 months in an airtight container.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth.
- Use a wooden spoon when breaking tomatoes if you want a chunkier texture without pureeing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes (up to 2 hours if desired)
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: homemade marinara sauce, Italian tomato sauce, marinara recipe, easy pasta sauce, tomato sauce from scratch
