Classic Italian Marinara Sauce Recipes

Steps:

• Pour tomatoes into a large bowl and crush with your hands. Pour 1 cup water into can and slosh it around to get tomato juices. Reserve.
• In a large skillet (do not use a deep pot) over medium heat, heat the oil. When it is hot, add garlic.
• As soon as garlic is sizzling (do not let it brown), add the tomatoes, then the reserved tomato water. Add whole chile or red pepper flakes, oregano (if using) and salt. Stir.
• Place basil sprig, including stem, on the surface (like a flower). Let it wilt, then submerge in sauce. Simmer sauce until thickened and oil on surface is a deep orange, about 15 minutes. (If using oregano, taste sauce after 10 minutes of simmering, adding more salt and oregano as needed.) Discard basil and chile (if using).

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until it just turns golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the tomatoes, Italian seasoning, basil, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of fresh pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, for 7 minutes. Take off the heat and stir in the butter until melted. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Steps:

• In large pan over medium heat saute chopped garlic and onion in olive oil until translucent.
• Add cans of tomato.
• Sprinkle on black pepper.
• Add bay leaves.
• Let sauce simmer for about 30 minutes to reduce and intensify flavors stirring occassionally.
• Add basil and parsley and stir well.
• Allow sauce to simmer at least another two hours (can simmer all day if desired)stirring occassionally.
• After two hours taste sauce, if acidic or if you want more sweetness add 1/2 tsp baking powder (or sugar) to cut acidity. Only do this if necessary.
• Pull out both bay leaves before serving/storing.
• Sauce can be served over pasta now or stored in freezer or refridgerator. If adding in meat add at the begining when adding tomatos.

Steps:

• Heat oil in a medium heavy pot over medium. Cook onion, stirring occasionally, until very soft, 8-10 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until very soft, about 5 minutes; stir in basil. Add tomatoes, crushing with your hands as you go; season with salt and pepper and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat; simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thick, about 1 hour. Season with salt and pepper. Let cool.
• Do Ahead
• Sauce can be made 1 week ahead. Cover and chill, or freeze up to 3 months.