Recipe: Marinara Spaghetti Sauce (makes 5 1/2 cups)

Marinara Spaghetti Sauce
Tomato based sauces are often referred to as either spaghetti or marinara. While there very similar the two main differences are that marinara is traditionally always meatless (spaghetti is often made with or without meat). The following marinara recipe can be a great starting base for any spaghetti sauce that contains meat such as sausage or ground beef.

2 cups diced tomatoes (drained canned tomatoes)
3 cups canned tomato sauce
2 tablespoons minced fresh garlic
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoon sliced sun dried tomatoes
1/4 cup diced yellow onions
1 tablespoon fresh minced oregano
1 tablespoon fresh minced basil
pinch of red chile flakes
salt and ground black pepper to taste

When cooking any recipe it is important to start out with quality ingredients. It is easy to understand that when you start our with good ingredients and treat them with care your finished product will be of a higher quality. That being said a basic tomato sauce or marinara sauce is an excellent example. Try several different types of tomatoes until you find the best canned tomatoes available in your area. Other ingredients such as the olive oil, and sun dried tomatoes and fresh herbs will have a big impact on the sauce you prepare.

Strain the canned diced tomatoes and reserve. Heat a large sauce pan over a medium flame for 1 minutes. Once the pan is heated add the olive oil, chile flakes, garlic and diced yellow onion and saute for one minute. Once the onion and garlic have turned translucent add the canned diced tomatoes as well as the tomato sauce and sun dried tomatoes. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes.

After the sauce has simmered for 15 minutes add the remaining fresh herbs and simmer another 10 minutes, adjust the seasoning as needed with salt and ground black pepper.

Makes Approximately 5 1/2 Cups Of Sauce