Monday, October 13, 2008

Make It Don't Buy It: Marinara Sauce


I like a really good red sauce; something that tastes like tomatoes not like tomato paste. I also like it to be easy to make. Here is the easiest and tastiest recipe I have found:

1 T olive oil
1/2 onion chopped
4-6 garlic cloves (depending how garlicky you like it)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp pepper
2 cans diced tomatoes ( I like petite diced)
2 cans crushed tomatoes

Heat the olive oil and sautee the onions and garlic until soft. Add the rest and simmer for 30 minutes.

You can double or triple this recipe, cook in in the crockpot and then freeze several batches. Or if you are really looking to make ahead, you can can it! That's my plan eventually.

This sauce works great with spaghetti, lasagna, pasta bakes or pizza!

3 comments:

Sarah said...

I love making my own sauce. Since we've been married we've never ever bought a jar of sauce. If you grow your own tomatoes like I did it is even cheaper!! In these economic times this is what I like to hear!

sugaryfrogs.blogspot.com said...

I have been looking for a great red sauce. Thanks!

Jeff and ReAnn said...

I recently took a trip to Italy and found out their secret to red sauce. They use only cherry tomatoes or the smaller varieties in their sauce. And although it can be pricey if you grow your own you can have a hay day. Cherry tomatoes are naturally sweeter and packed with flavor. A recipe I had calls for cherry tomatoes (quartered), olive oil, a clove of garlic and fresh basil. Cook the garlic in the oil and then add the tomatoes.. They reduce down in only 20 minutes depending on how much you have... oh and one very important ingredient used in all Italian cooking.. Sea Salt. Add the taste. This sauce is so fresh.. I just love it!!