Make Your Own Marinara Sauce: Better Than Rao’s

Are you tired of paying top dollar for store-bought marinara sauce?

Want to impress your friends and family with a homemade version that’s just as delicious (if not better)

Look no further! 

Today, I’m going to show you how to whip up the world’s easiest marinara sauce right in your own kitchen. It’s simple, quick, and packed with flavor.

So grab your apron, and let’s get cooking!

Ingredients Needed

  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ of a yellow onion, minced
  • 28 ounces of crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
  • Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh basil, julienned or minced
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients

First things first, gather all your ingredients.

Next, mince the garlic and finely chop half of a yellow onion.

Measure out your olive oil and crushed tomatoes.

Set everything aside so it’s ready to go!

Trust me, having everything prepped makes the cooking process so much smoother.

Step 2: Start Cooking

Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat.

Heating olive oil in frying pan

Add in the minced garlic and chopped onion.

Adding minced garlic and chopped onion to the pan

Sprinkle in a teaspoon of kosher salt and several cranks of black pepper.

Adding salt and pepper to the pan

If you want to add some extra flavor, now’s the time to add dried oregano or Italian seasoning.

Adding dried oregano to the sauté

Stir everything around for about five minutes until the onions become translucent.

Stirring ingredients in the pan

Step 3: Add the Tomatoes

Once the onions are ready, dial the heat down to low.

Lowering heat on the stove

Open a standard 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes and pour it into the pan.

Pouring crushed tomatoes into the pan

Stir it gently to combine with the sautéed onions and garlic.

Let it simmer on low heat for about fifteen minutes, stirring occasionally.

Simmering the sauce on low heat

This is the perfect time to taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning.

Step 4: Season to Taste

After simmering, it’s time to season the sauce. Add salt to taste.

Remember, the saltiness of canned tomatoes can vary, so taste as you go!

Once it’s well-seasoned, stir in a tablespoon of fresh basil.

Adding fresh basil to the sauce

Mix everything well, and your marinara sauce is ready!

This sauce will have a bright red color and a fresh, tangy flavor.

Finished marinara sauce in the pan

Step 5: Serve or Store

You can use this sauce immediately over pasta, on pizza, or as a dip for mozzarella sticks.

Serving marinara sauce over pasta

If you have leftovers, this sauce freezes wonderfully!

Freezing marinara sauce for later use

Simply defrost when you’re ready to enjoy it again.

Labeled container of frozen marinara sauce

And there you have it! A quick and easy homemade marinara sauce that rivals even the best store-bought options.

Now you can impress your friends and family with your culinary skills!

Tips for Enhancing Your Marinara

  • Swap onions for shallots for a refined flavor.
  • Use animal fat for a richer sauce.
  • Add red pepper flakes for some heat.
  • Try San Marzano tomatoes for a sweeter taste.
  • Add a parmesan rind while simmering for extra umami.
  • Stir in fresh basil stems for added flavor and then remove.

Capisce? Enjoy your homemade marinara sauce!

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