This homemade marinara sauce is a classic Italian tomato sauce made with fresh Roma tomatoes, garlic, onion, and fresh basil. Simmered to perfection and blended until smooth, it makes a versatile and delicious addition to your favorite pastas, pizzas, and more.
Total Time:45 minutes
Yield:6 servings
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
2 lbs fresh Roma tomatoes (or San Marzano)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Prepare Ingredients: Wash the Roma tomatoes thoroughly and quarter them. Chop the yellow onion and mince the garlic cloves carefully to release their flavors.
Sauté Onion and Garlic: Place a large pot over medium heat, add the extra virgin olive oil, and sauté the chopped onion until it becomes translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and stir for another minute until fragrant.
Cook Tomatoes: Add the quartered tomatoes to the pot along with salt and black pepper. Stir the mixture well and allow it to simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
Blend Sauce: Use an immersion blender or transfer the sauce to a regular blender to puree until smooth, ensuring a silky texture.
Finish with Basil: Return the blended sauce to low heat. Stir in the chopped fresh basil leaves and let it simmer gently for an additional 5 minutes to infuse the flavor before serving.
Notes
For a chunkier sauce, blend only half the tomatoes or skip blending entirely.
San Marzano tomatoes can be used for a sweeter and richer flavor if Roma tomatoes are unavailable.
Add a pinch of sugar if the sauce tastes too acidic.
This sauce freezes well; store in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
Use fresh basil at the end to preserve its flavor and aroma.
