Classic Marinara Sauce with Fresh Basil
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 23 min
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Level
- medium
- Cuisine
- Italian
A traditional Italian marinara built on sauteed garlic and fresh herbs. Whole stewed tomatoes simmer low with bay leaf, onion, and parsley, finished with bright basil. Ready in under 30 minutes for pasta, pizza, or any tomato-based dish.
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Method
5 steps- 1
Heat olive oil and garlic on medium heat, sauteing for 3 minutes
- 2
Add parsley, onions, and tomatoes, stirring well
- 3
Add bay leaf, salt, pepper, and sugar, then bring to a boil
- 4
Cover and simmer on low heat for 20 minutes
- 5
Garnish with basil before serving
Good to Know
Refrigerate in airtight container up to 5 days. Freeze up to 3 months.
Prepare through step 3, refrigerate, and reheat gently before garnishing.
Use as base for pasta, pizza, dipping sauce, or soup.
Common Mistakes
Do not skip the initial 3-minute garlic saute to avoid flat, raw garlic flavor
Do not omit the sugar to avoid excessive acidity from tomatoes