Quick Marinara Sauce

This marinara sauce is quick, easy and full of flavor! Best thing..it only takes 10 minutes to prep this delicious sauce!

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This is a great recipe for an easy weeknight meal. You can even prep it earlier in the day and allow it to simmer on the stove for maximum flavor. This marinara sauce is delicious as a topping on pasta or meatball subs, or use it as a dip for breadsticks or fried ravioli. Make Chicken Parm with my perfect crispy chicken recipe.

Pasta and all of its variety of sauces have such a place in my heart. I am totally in love with bread and pasta and I've tried to break up with them at previous times in my life, but it is just not even worth it. Everything in moderation..am I right? That's my thought as I get older. I just love food way too much to cut anything out.

If you love pasta like I do, be sure to check out my recipes for stuffed shells, pesto tortellini salad, and minestrone soup!

Why You'll Love This Recipe:

• It's so simple to make!
• The flavor is incredible and you will definitely be able to tell the difference between this and a canned sauce.
• Many of the ingredients are most likely already in your pantry and fridge. I love recipes like that!
• Finally, it is a sauce that the whole family will love. It's hearty, but not full of tomato chunks (I know kids are not a fan of that & to be honest, neither am I.)
• You can use this sauce for so many recipes. Try my Turkey Stuffed Bell Peppers. Make some English Muffin Pizzas, Chicken or Eggplant Parm, or Mozzarella Paninis. The possibilities are endless!

Watch the video here:

The Ingredients For Quick Marinara Sauce:

Olive Oil- Adds a robust flavor to the sauce & the perfect cooking oil for Italian food

Onion and Garlic- Adds texture and flavor to the marinara

Thyme, Basil, Oregano, Salt and Bay Leaf- Classic seasonings used in Italian cooking to amplify the flavor.

Red Pepper- For a touch of heat

White Granulated Sugar- For a touch of sweetness. I find the sweet and spicy flavors of sugar and red pepper really make a difference in marinara sauce.

Tomato Sauce: Used as the base in the sauce and is very thin in texture.

Crushed Tomatoes: Adds a bit of texture to the sauce. It is a well blended tomato, that results in a finer textured sauce with no chunks of tomatoes.

Prep and Cook Time:

This recipe only takes about 10 minutes to prep and can be completed start to finish in less than an hour. Personally, I like to allow my marinara sauce to simmer for at least an hour, preferably two hours, for maximum flavor.

How to Make Quick Marinara Sauce:

Begin by mincing the yellow onion and garlic clove.

Place a dutch oven on the stovetop on medium low heat. Add in olive oil and allow to warm up for a minute.

Add in the onion and ½ teaspoon salt. Stir and allow them to soften for about 4 minutes.

Add in the garlic and stir. Cook for 30 seconds.

Pour in the cans of tomato sauce and crushed tomato.

Next, sprinkle in remaining salt, dried herbs of basil, thyme and oregano, sugar, red pepper flakes, and bay leaf. Stir well.

Cover and allow to cook for 4 to 5 minutes. Take cover off and stir. Place cover back on and reduce heat to low.

Cook for 30 minutes up to 4 hours. If you decide to cook for a long period, just stir it every hour or so.

Top with fresh basil or parsley at serving and parmigiano-reggiano cheese. 

Enjoy!

How to Store Leftover Sauce:

You can store in a sealed container, like tupperware, for up to a week in the fridge. You can also freeze the sauce and keep it for up to 6 months. Make sure to get all of the air out of the bag, so it keeps its flavor well and doesn't get freezer burnt.

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