I’ve tried all the different brands of bottled sauce but none are as tasty as homemade. And the good news is that homemade is almost as simple as opening a jar. You can double the batch and refrigerate or freeze for later.
Homemade Marinara
Ingredients:
- 1-28 oz. can San Marzano or other Italian whole tomatoes
- 4 cloves of garlic – minced
- 1 Tbs butter (optional)
- 1 Tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil (use 2 Tbs if not using butter)
- 1 pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 Tbs tomato paste (I like the paste that comes in a tube)
- 3 or 4 leaves of fresh basil
- Italian Seasoning to taste (optional)
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pour the canned tomatoes in a bowl and mash them by hand. Do this gently so the juice stays in the bowl and not all over you. Add 1 Cup of water to the can washing remaining tomato juice down the sides. Set tomatoes and water aside
- In a deep skillet add the olive oil and butter and heat
- When the butter is melted, Add the garlic and sauté for 1 or 2 minutes, until you smell them
- Add the red pepper flakes
- Add the tomatoes and water and stir
- Lay the Basil leaves on top of the sauce, allowing them to sink on their own.
- Stir and simmer until thickened and oil on surface is a deep orange.
- Season to taste
Tell Me What You Think
I hope you try this simple Marinara recipe. If so, let me know and/or share your own recipe in the comments section. I’d love to hear from you.
Note: This blog is sponsored by me, Karen J Adams. Any recommendations or suggestions are my own without the exchange of money.
Unpublished work © 2025 Karen J Adams
