Quick and Simple Marinara
You can serve this over simple spaghetti noodles or cheese tortellini, or use it as a base of a meat sauce in lasagna. Dipping breadsticks warm from the oven would be delicious, also!
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 2 28-ounce cans whole, peeled plum tomatoes, such as San Marzano
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn by hand
- 2 bay leaves, dried or fresh
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1-2 tablespoons excellent-quality balsamic vinegar, to taste
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a Dutch oven or stock pot over medium heat.
- Once the oil is hot, add the garlic and stir for 30 seconds.
- Begin adding the canned tomatoes, crushing them by hand as you add them. Add any additional tomato sauce or juice from the cans.
- Add the basil, bay leaves, salt and pepper. Stir gently to combine.
- Turn the heat down to low and simmer for at least 20 minutes, uncovered. Simmer longer if you want a thicker sauce.
- Add the balsamic vinegar and stir well.
- Taste for seasoning (salt and pepper) and adjust as desired. Remove the bay leaves.
- Your marinara is ready to use.
Notes
The nutritional chart is calculated with 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar.
Feel free to use “no salt” or “lower sodium” products to cut down on the sodium. Some people want a lower sodium product, either for health reasons or flavor preferences.
Nutrition Facts
Quick and Simple Marinara
Amount per Serving
Calories
120
% Daily Value*
Fat
7.16
g
11
%
Saturated Fat
0.99
g
6
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.76
g
Monounsaturated Fat
5.2
g
Sodium
885
mg
38
%
Potassium
14.43
mg
0
%
Carbohydrates
11.5
g
4
%
Fiber
2.79
g
12
%
Sugar
10.61
g
12
%
Protein
2.83
g
6
%
Vitamin C
54.53
mg
66
%
Calcium
7.43
mg
1
%
Iron
1.42
mg
8
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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