Avoid the artificial chemicals and additives of processed spaghetti sauces using this quick and easy recipe. All natural, this marinara contains only what you put into it, and can be adapted using vegetables according to your family's taste.
The sauce can take as little as twenty minutes to prepare, although it tastes better the longer it simmers. Use over pasta or with any Italian dish.
Ingredients for Natural Marinara Sauce:
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 1 medium tomato, diced
- Opened bottle of hearty red wine, such as burgundy, though any red wine will work
- 2 16oz cans of Crushed Tomatoes (For extra chunky sauce, substitute 1 lb fresh diced tomatoes for one of the cans of crushed tomatoes. For a thinner sauce, substitute 1 16oz can of tomato sauce for one of the cans of crushed tomatoes.)
- 1 teaspoon Basil
- 1 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
- Salt as needed
- Oregano or other Italian Seasoning to taste
- Shredded spinach (optional)
- Parmesan cheese (optional)
Directions for Making Natural Marinara:
- Put olive oil in large skillet and let skillet heat up on medium heat.
- Sauté onions and garlic until they turn brown around the edges.
- Add a little red wine until onions and garlic are barely covered. Let garlic and onions soak in all the wine.
- Add diced, fresh tomatoes and stir until tomatoes are covered in wine and onion mixture. Let skillet simmer for about thirty seconds and stir as needed.
- Carefully add desired combination of crushed tomatoes and tomatoes for extra chunky or thinner sauce if applicable. Stir tomatoes into wine and vegetable mixture until uniformly mixed. Add shredded spinach, if using.
- Turn heat down to low and cover skillet. Allow sauce to simmer for at least five minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure the sauce is not sticking to pan. Season with salt and Italian seasonings to taste.
Suggestions for Using Natural Marinara in Italian Cooking
Adding a layer of fat-free cheese or low-fat parmesan between pasta and marinara creates a comforting and tasty texture. Serve natural marinara sauce hot over pasta or chicken, or allow sauce to chill if using as a pizza sauce or in a lasagna or other layered pasta dish.
This natural marinara sauce recipe makes enough to serve four over pasta, make two medium round pizzas or one lasagna and is easily adapted into any Italian dish requiring marinara sauce. Note, that one can serve an additional two people by adding another can of crushed tomatoes and season the sauce again to taste. Use as dip for garlic bread or to spice up vegetable soup also. Enjoy.
For another easy and natural recipe, try Low-Fat Refried Beans from Scratch.
Melissa Roberts - A trained hospital chaplain, Melissa is a freelance writer, teacher, retreat leader, and spiritual director.
