Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Basic Italian Tomato Sauce (Marinara)

Basic Italian Tomato Sauce (Marinara

This fast and flavorful sauce is perfect for weeknight pasta

Looking for quick and delicious? We’re here to help.

Our basic Italian tomato sauce (sometimes called marinara) cooks in half an hour or less. It also has a lighter, fresher flavor than meat-based ragù.

It’s great with almost any pasta shape. You can also use it as a sauce for dishes like chicken or veal parmigiana. Or even as a topping when you make pizza.

Weeknight quick, company ready. Perfecto!


Basic Italian Tomato Sauce (Marinara

Recipe: Basic Italian Tomato Sauce (Marinara)

Although we love a hearty, rich ragù that simmers on the stove for hours, we often want something quicker and easier. This recipe is simplicity itself: Sauté some onions and garlic in olive oil, add tomatoes and seasoning, then cook until tasty. The whole process takes maybe half an hour.

Should you use fresh or canned tomatoes in this dish? Both work, but we almost always use canned, because good-quality fresh ones rarely are available. You can use crushed or whole canned tomatoes (if it’s the latter, we crush them in our hands before adding them to the cooking pot). More about canned tomatoes in the Notes.

Prep time for this recipe is about 5 minutes. Cooking time adds 20 to 30 minutes.

This recipe makes enough to sauce for 1 to 1½ pounds of dried pasta, depending on how saucy you like to be.

This sauce freezes quite well, too. So you may want to make a big batch and freeze it in portion-size containers. They’ll keep for weeks in the freezer.

Ingredients
  • 1 medium onion (¾ to 1 cup when diced)
  • 2 cloves garlic (or more to taste)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (or more to taste)
  • salt to taste (about ½ teaspoon kosher salt for us; see Notes)
  • ¼ teaspoon red-pepper flakes (very optional; increase to ½ teaspoon if you like spicy)
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano (or marjoram; see Notes)
  • 1 28-ounce can whole or crushed Italian-style tomatoes (preferably San Marzano; see Notes)
  • cooked pasta for serving (3 to 4 ounces of dried pasta makes a main-course serving for us)
  • freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Romano cheese for garnish (optional)
  • chopped parsley or parsley sprigs for garnish (optional)
Procedure
  1. Peel the onion and cut it into ½-inch dice. Set aside.
  2. Peel the garlic and mince it finely or cut it into thin slices. Set aside.
  3. Place a 4-quart cooking pot over medium stovetop heat. When the pot is heated, add the olive oil. When the oil is hot (about 15 seconds; it’ll shimmer), add the chopped onion. Add salt to taste. Sauté until the onion is translucent (5 to 8 minutes).
  4. Add the chopped garlic to the cooking pot and sauté for 30 seconds. Then add the red pepper flakes, if using, and the oregano. Cook for an additional 30 seconds.
  5. Add the tomatoes (if using whole tomatoes, crush them in your hands before adding them to the cooking pot). Add a cup of water (perhaps a bit more) to thin the sauce. Stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 15 to 25 minutes (up to 40 minutes), until the sauce is tasty. 
  6. Adjust the seasoning if necessary. Add the sauce to cooked (drained) pasta, then toss together. Dish up and serve. We usually garnish each plate with grated cheese and/or parsley.
Basic Italian Tomato Sauce (Marinara

Notes
  • We often reserve a bit of this sauce, then top each serving of pasta with a dollop of it after plating.
  • You can make this dish with fresh tomatoes if you wish. We usually don’t because good fresh tomatoes are available for only a couple of months in the summer. If using fresh tomatoes (plum tomatoes would be our recommendation), use 2½ to 3 pounds.
  • If using canned tomatoes, should you go with whole tomatoes or crushed? Or diced? Canned plum tomatoes tend to have a “brighter” flavor than crushed or diced tomatoes. Plum tomatoes do break down as they cook, though they retain a somewhat chunky texture. We use plum, crushed, or diced tomatoes, depending on our mood.
  • San Marzano tomatoes are considered the best canned variety for Italian red sauce. They originated in the town of San Marzano sul Sarno, close to Naples. They have fewer seeds and thicker flesh than many other tomatoes, plus a more pronounced flavor and less acidity. Imported San Marzano canned tomatoes can be expensive (and difficult to find). Tomatoes grown from San Marzano seeds are produced in the US, and are less expensive (although some people think their flavor is inferior to the Italian original).
  • BTW, “authentic” canned San Marzano tomatoes are available whole only, not crushed.
  • Other canned tomatoes can make really good sauce, too. We like Muir Glen and Redpack, two US brands. We suggest you buy several brands at your supermarket, then see which one pleases your taste buds.
  • Use good-quality olive oil in this dish, and don’t skimp on the quantity (you can even use more than we specify). The flavor of olive oil is part of the charm of this dish.
  • We use kosher salt in cooking. It’s less salty by volume than regular table salt (because the flakes are larger, they don’t pack a measure as tightly). If using table salt, start with about half as much as we recommend. But always season to your own taste.
  • We generally use oregano in this dish. Some people find its flavor too strong, and prefer marjoram (which is a bit less pungent).
  • If you have fresh basil on hand, you could add some to the sauce shortly before it’s ready to be served (roll it in a cigar shape and cut it into fine strips – a technique known as chiffonade).
  • This sauce is ideal for long-strand pastas like spaghetti or linguine, though we prefer the more tubular pastas (rigatoni, ziti, or penne). 
  • Our marinara sauce is nice with fresh pasta, of course. But we think it works even better with dried.
  • We call our recipe “basic Italian tomato sauce” or “marinara sauce.” But some cooks differentiate between the two. As best we can tell, those cooks claim that marinara sauce should have fewer ingredients and cook more quickly (20 minutes or so) – which gives it a lighter, fresher flavor. Whereas “tomato sauce” may cook at least twice as long and tends to have more ingredients (such as carrots and celery – although we almost never use either in Italian tomato sauce).  
  • Some cooks also claim that marinara sauce should contain only garlic, never onion (while Italian tomato sauce tends to contain onion and no garlic). Well, we like both, so we include both.
  • Our sauce is quick cooking and fairly light in flavor, so we call it marinara. But call it Italian tomato sauce if you like. We just call it good.
  • And where did the “marinara” part come from, anyway? Well, marinara means “from the sea.” One story says the sauce is so called because it’s simple, made from ingredients that sailors would have on hand. Sounds like made-up etymology to us, but we’ll go with it.
Basic Italian Tomato Sauce (Marinara

Mamma Mia!

“Here we go again!” said Mrs. Kitchen Riffs. “How can I resist this sauce?”

“I’ll always take a chance on this,” I said. “Easy to make, too.”

“Knowing me, knowing you,” said Mrs K R. “We’ll be having this quite often.”

“And you don’t have to be a super trouper to make this sauce,” I said. “Anyone can do it.”

“Light too,” said Mrs K R. “So I can keep on being a dancing queen.”

Only seventeen! Plus a few decades.

You may also enjoy reading about:
Pasta with Quick Tomato and Bacon Sauce
Penne alla Vodka
Italian Meat Sauce for Pasta
Italian Pork Ragu for Pasta or Polenta
Pasta Cacio e Pepe
Pasta Puttanesca
Pasta with Shrimp and Fennel
Homemade Noodles
Or check out the index for more

74 comments:

Angie's Recipes said...

Besides meat sauce, Marinara is another my favourite! The plate of pasta looks mouthwatering.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Angie, we make meat sauce a lot, but probably make this one more often. So good! Thanks for the comment.

Shashi at SavorySpin said...

I enjoyed finding out about the tidbit about the garlic/onion debate when it comes to Italian sauce vs Marinara sauce! And... I see why y'all keep coming back for more of this sauce - it sounds delicious!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Shashi, we like both onion and garlic so we use both! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Abbe@This is How I Cook said...

There is nothing like a simple tomato sauce. So much better than a jar. You are right about tomatoes. My son and I once did a taste test and you can definitely taste a difference. I can't live without onion and garlic so this is perfecto!

Evelyne CulturEatz said...

A must basic sauce for sure, and liked you sad good to have a bit in the freezer. I would go for whole plum canned too.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Abbe, we do a taste test every few years -- just in case. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Evelyne, so nice to have some of this in the freezer! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Mae Travels said...

We have been trying some Marcella Hazan recipes lately — she also favors simple sauces, but I think her most famous tomato sauce is even simpler than this. Just tomatoes butter onions! We plan to try it. But yours sounds like another good one to try.

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Mae, I've made that sauce of hers! In fact I've made all of her simple sauces, and they're all good. This is a little more complicated -- more in the Italian-American tradition. Thanks for the comment.

Pam said...

There's nothing quite as delicious as a simple sauce and this one sounds great. Most of the time though, I add a pinch of sugar to balance the tomato acidity in a sauce. Mine is pretty similar to this. Thanks for sharing!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pam, a lot of people do like to add a bit of sugar to their sauce -- really good point. I actually like a bit a acidity, so I usually don't. Thanks for the comment.

Valentina said...

I always need a tomato sauce like this on hand. If I had a dime for every time I wished there'd been a jar at the ready . . . Happy you're okay with canned tomatoes -- I really only use fresh during the summer when they're much sweeter. San Marzano is my favorite brand too. :-) Thank you!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Valentina, fresh tomatoes are wonderful, but just not an option most of the year. And canned whole tomatoes are processed with minimal processing at their peak of ripeness -- assuming it's a good brand -- so they're pretty good. Thanks for the comment.

Eha said...

I agree this is almost an essential recipe for any week and multiple dishes. Am lucky Down Under to be able to access fresh tomatoes all year since I avoid anything tinned if at all possible for multiple health reasons. My two 'always' additions are some tomato paste and quite a bit of parley: have just looked at half-dozen 'local' recipes and all include such . . . horses for courses. Oh, oregano definitely :) !!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Eha, we always skip tomato paste for a short-cooked tomato sauce, and always include it when making a sauce that's going to cook at least 45 minutes. But we also change things up all the time. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Merryn said...

This certainly is a beautiful and super quick dish to cook, with a perfect blend of ingredients. With just a pinch of chilli flakes this is divine 8)

savorthebest said...

A good tomato sauce is essential to any kitchen. I do love the San Marzano tomatoes, they make such a great tomato sauce

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Merryn, we love those chilli flakes! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Dahn, they're such a yummy tomato, aren't they? :-) Thanks for the comment.

Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes said...

Being Italian, you’re speaking my language here. Love pasta and sauce! I also always used canned tomatoes. I like the consistency it gives me in always ensuring my sauce tastes the same each time.

Natalia said...

My favourite one, so versatile☺☺

Frank said...

It's always good to get back to basics every once in a while, if only to remind ourselves just how good the basics can be. And a good tomato sauce is very good indeed! And I'm with you on the canned tomatoes. 9+ times out of 10, they'll give you better flavor (if you're using the right brand) even in the summer.

GiGi Eats said...

I don't want to call myself basic or anything but... When it comes to food, I totally am. I like it simple and easy and with not too many ingredients. So this sauce, yes I am attracted to it because it's just so BASIC ;)

Healthy World Cuisine said...

From scratch pasta sauce is a must and tastes so much better than that from a jar. When the weather is cold a plate of pasta is just what we need to warm up from the inside out!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ashley, fresh tomatoes can certainly give us the "freshest" flavor, but canned --if you use a good product -- are really good. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Natalia, it really is, isn't it? :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Frank, you really do have to find a decent brand, don't you? But when you do, gold. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi GiGi, we're pretty BASIC too! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Bobbi, we could eat pasta almost every single day of the year! Love the stuff. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen said...

You just can't beat homemade marinara! I love how quickly this comes together!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Kelsie, quick and really good -- our favorite combo when it comes to food! Thanks for the comment.

Chef Mimi said...

This is a wonderful recipe. I like switching things up sometimes, because a good tomato sauce is a good tomato sauce! Sometimes all I do is heat up lots of minced garlic in olive oil, and add good tomatoes! Not traditional, but really nice and flavorful.

Deb|EastofEdenCooking said...

I like onion and garlic too! Canned tomatoes means that this classic recipe can be enjoyed all year round. fabulous!

Juliana said...

I love the simplicity of this pasta...light and so flavorful...specially with freshly grated cheese...indeed perfect for weekday meal. Thanks for the recipe John, I hope you are enjoying your week!

Tricia Buice said...

I'm always on the lookout for my next favorite marinara sauce! I am giving this a try - sounds perfect to me. Thanks John!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Mimi, that sounds wonderful! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Deb, that's the nice thing about canned tomatoes -- most of us have them in the pantry all the time, so we can make this whenever the mood strikes. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Juliana, hard to resist freshly grated cheese with this! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Tricia, one can never have too many different recipes for marinara sauce! Even though most of them are pretty similar. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Fran @ Gday Souffle said...

Thanks for the heads-up on the San Marzano tomatoes- I'll keep an eye out for them. This recipe screams out 'starch and flavor'- especially with the extra toasted bread on the side. Who could go wrong with that? Plus, 'mama mia' is my favorite expression- I especially use it in my French conversation class when I flub up.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Fran, given my rudimentary French, the only thing I'd be saying in a class like that is mama mia! Mrs KR, on the other hand, has excellent French and would never say it! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Ron said...

This is a solid tomato sauce for sure. Yours is very similar to what we make, but I like to add a bit of grated carrot. We always make a big batch of tomato sauce and freeze it in 2 cup containers. We then have a great building block for many recipes. With a sauce like yours, I say just put it on simmer, then put on some Boccelli and take Mrs KR for a dance on the kitchen floor. We do it all the time.

Kelly | Foodtasia said...

A delicious sauce and so full of flavor! We like the onions and garlic both in the sauce as well!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ron, we freeze ours in 2 cup containers too! Don't dance on the kitchen floor, though -- gotta start. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Kelly, onions and garlic play so nicely together, don't they? :-) Thanks for the comment.

Laura Dembowski said...

Marinara isn't quite my thing, because cooked tomatoes freak me out. But my dad would devour this.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Laura, make it for your dad. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Vicki Bensinger said...

Delicious & Simple - those are the best sauces in my opinion!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Vicki, simple is SO appropriate for us. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Gerlinde de Broekert said...

Your sauce is comfort food at its best. Thanks for another good recipe

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Gerlinde, we're supposed to get a bunch of snow tomorrow -- we'll need this comforting dish! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Cocoa and Lavender said...

Love the ABBA references! John - this is definitely the kind of thing we love for weeknights! And I agree - so fresh tasting. All I can say is, “Gimme, Gimme, Gimme” this Pasta - before midnight, please!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi David, :-) Thanks for the comment.

Food Gal said...

This is a recipe everyone should have in their arsenal. It is wicked easy and comes in so handy for so many things.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Carolyn, quick and tasty -- our favorite kind of recipe! Thanks for the comment.

sherry said...

ok you might think i'm crazy but i am not a huge fan of pasta and especially not of a tomato-based sauce. that's not to say i won't eat them, but i prefer not to:=) I must be missing the italian gene that most people seem to have when it comes to pasta... but i'm sure this tastes great... cheers sherry

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

Perfection!! I'm going to make a double batch and parcel it out in small containers for the freezer. It's great for chicken parm, spaghetti pie and more!! Plus, my daughter does not like meat in her sauces :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Sherry, there are always cream sauces. :D Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Liz, we DO like meat sauces, but sometimes that's just too heavy or inappropriate for whatever dish you're making. We love to freeze this! Thanks for the comment.

Hotly Spiced said...

I'd like to be 17! We have a lot of tomato plants and because the weather has been so hot, all the tomatoes on the vines have ripened at once. I didn't know what to do with so many tomatoes but decided to make a basic tomato sauce. I served the sauce with pasta and parmesan and my husband said it was the best pasta sauce ever! Our recipes are very similar xx

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Charlie, we've stopped planting tomatoes because the squirrels always get them. :-( But we used to love making sauce from our own tomato plants! Thanks for the comment.

Jeff the Chef said...

I've never heard that there's a difference between "tomato sauce” and “marinara," but once you called out what it is, I could easily see why there'd be a distinction. Your sauce sounds really bright and fresh - and easy to throw together. Thanks for the recipe!

Kitchen Riffs said...

HI Jeff, whatever you call it, it's good stuff. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Amy (Savory Moments) said...

Perfect! Homemade tomato sauces are really do delicious! I need to take the time to make them more often.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Amy, so simple, so satisfying. :-) Thanks for the comment.

mjskit said...

It's always the simple dishes that are the best! Thanks for reminding me that a great pasta sauce doesn't have to be difficult. :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi MJ, we really like quick, easy, and tasty. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Rocquie said...

I have never understood the popularity of the jarred sauces when a delicious homemade version is so simple to make. Yours looks perfect. Thank you, Rocquie

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Rocquie, this is ridiculously easy and fast to make, isn't it? Thanks for the comment.

amira said...

I love marinara sauce and I never made it at home .. out of laziness I guess. Thanks for sharing such a nice recipe.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Amira, it's easy to get lazy, isn't it? Fortunately this recipe doesn't take much work. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Emma @ Bake Then Eat said...

It's hard to beat a good Marinara sauce, perfect for so many dishes.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Emma, Marinara is so simple yet SO satisfying. Love it! Thanks for the comment.