Recipe ~ Quick & Easy Marinara

 

As always, if you just want the recipe, without the story behind it, click here.

This is my cheater version of marinara, and an edited version of the first recipe I ever used to make homemade marinara. It has nowhere near the depth and flavour explosion of my my full marinara recipe, but it is still good enough to rival most of the chain restaurants, and is ready in under 20 minutes. 

 The original recipe I found used butter, instead of olive oil, garlic powder instead of minced garlic (which is easy to keep on hand - I actually use dried, minced garlic, which I reconstitute in a small jar and keep in my fridge. Even professional chefs say there is minimal difference in cooked sauces and simmered/stewed dishes), no wine or wine vinegar, and just some dried oregano and either parsley or basil (can't remember which), instead of Italian seasoning. This takes the same amount of time and effort.. maybe an extra minute or less, and tastes way better, which is why it's posted here, instead of just letting people find that other one when searching. The OG tasted decent, for sure, but it was more like sauce packet marinara, vs chain restaurant marinara, if that makes sense. 

 

If you want to make something more like the little hole in the wall, authentic, family owned Italian restaurant, or nonna would serve, then you'll have to put in the extra time and effort for this recipe. Trust me. It's WORTH IT! But if you just want a darn good sauce for some pasta or mozzarella sticks right now, follow the instructions below. 

 Quick & Easy Marinara

Equipment:

• Medium saucepan.
• Something to stir with.
• Measuring cups/spoons/good eyeball.

Ingredients: 

     • 2 Tbs extra virgin olive oil 
    • 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1(6 oz) can tomato paste
    • 1 1/2 cups water 
    • 1 Tbs red wine vinegar or 2 Tbs dry, red wine
    • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
    • a dash each of Salt and pepper, to taste
    • Pinch of sugar

Directions: 

     1. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a medium saucepan. Add garlic and cook 1-2 minutes, until tender.

    2. Add remaining ingredients, bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

    3. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Taste, and adjust seasoning as desired.