An easy recipe for homemade Italian marinara sauce you whip up quickly for weeknight dinners!
Prep Time10 minutesmins
Cook Time25 minutesmins
Total Time35 minutesmins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Italian Marinara Sauce
Servings: 8
Calories: 61kcal
Author: Kelly Anthony
Ingredients
2tablespoonsolive oil
1red bell pepperseeded and finely diced
1yellow onionfinely diced
3 cloves of garlicminced
1(28 ounce)can of crushed San Marzano tomatoes
1(14.5 ounce)can diced or crushed fire roasted tomatoes
3tablespoonsgranulated sugar
2 ½ teaspoonkosher salt
½teaspoonblack pepper
Generouspinch of red pepper flakes
2 tablespoonsfreshly minced basil(optional)
2teaspoonsfreshly minced oregano(optional)
Instructions
Add the olive oil to an enameled cast iron Dutch oven or a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the pepper and onion, and sauté 5-8 minutes, or until softened. Add the garlic and sauté 1 minute more.
Add the canned tomatoes, sugar, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes and allow to come to a simmer. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer. Simmer for 25-30 minutes with the lid ajar, stirring often. If using fresh herbs, add them after about 20 minutes of simmering.
If desired, puree using an immersion blender or a blender with the feed tube removed and a dish towel covering its place.
If Adding Meat:
Add 1 pound of seasoned, cooked ground beef or a batch of Easy Baked Meatballs, and simmer for an additional 15 minutes. Serve over spaghetti noodles or spaghetti squash, and enjoy.