Marinara Sauce Recipe

This homemade Marinara Sauce Recipe is rich, flavorful, and surprisingly easy to make with pantry staples. Made with tomatoes, garlic, onion, carrot, herbs, and a buttery basil finish, this classic Italian-inspired sauce simmers into the perfect topping for pasta, meatballs, lasagna, and more.

Course Sauce

Cuisine Italian

Keyword How Do I Make Marinara Sauce Recipe, How To Make Marinara Sauce Recipe, Marinara Sauce Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 1 10

Total Time 1 20

Servings servings

Calories 204kcal

Author Kathleen

Ingredients

1/4 cup olive oil
1 cup yellow onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup carrot, finely grated
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, with juices
2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning
1/1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed between your fingers
2 bay leaves
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon butter
2-8 fresh basil leaves, chopped

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Cook the onion: Heat the olive oil (1/4 cup) in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the onion (1 cup) and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-6 minutes.
Add the carrot: Stir in the grated carrot (1/4 cup), salt (1 1/2 teaspoons), and pepper (1 teaspoon). Continue cooking until the carrot softens and begins to melt into the onions, about 3-4 minutes.
Bloom the aromatics: Add the garlic (1 tablespoon) and red pepper flakes (1/4 teaspoon) and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Cook the tomato paste: Stir in the tomato paste (1 [6-ounce] can) and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until it darkens slightly in color.
Build the sauce: Add the crushed tomatoes (1 [28-ounce] can), Italian seasoning (3 teaspoons), bay leaves (2), and water (1/2 cup). Stir well to combine.
Simmer: Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and cook uncovered for 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and rich.
Adjust the consistency: Remove and discard the bay leaves. If the sauce becomes too thick, stir in additional water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
Finish the sauce: Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the butter (1 tablespoon) until melted, then add the fresh basil (6-8 leaves, chopped).
Season and serve: Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed before serving.

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