Marinara

Name: Marinara
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian (Neapolitan)
Ingredients: San Marzano tomatoes, crushed (or canned) — 800 g (28 oz can); Extra-virgin olive oil — 60 ml (1/4 cup); Garlic cloves, sliced — 4; Fresh basil leaves — 10; Salt — 5 g (1 tsp); Red pepper flakes (optional) — 1 g (1/4 tsp)

The Quirky Foodster Team

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5 min

Prep

25 min

Cook

Ingredients

San Marzano tomatoes, crushed (or canned) — 800 g (28 oz can)
Extra-virgin olive oil — 60 ml (1/4 cup)
Garlic cloves, sliced — 4
Fresh basil leaves — 10
Salt — 5 g (1 tsp)
Red pepper flakes (optional) — 1 g (1/4 tsp)

Method

Heat olive oil in a wide saucepan over medium heat; add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute, without
browning.
Add crushed tomatoes and salt; bring to a gentle simmer.
Cook uncovered 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
Tear in basil leaves during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
Adjust seasoning and add red pepper flakes if using.

Cultural Background: A quick tomato sauce named for Neapolitan sailors ('marinari') who valued its simple, shelf-stable ingredients on long voyages, marinara relies on ripe tomatoes, garlic and olive oil without meat, making it one of Italy's most widespread everyday sauces.

Tips: • Don't let the garlic brown — it turns bitter and dominates the sauce. • High-quality canned San Marzano tomatoes make a noticeable difference in sweetness.

Variations: • Add anchovy fillets for extra umami depth. • Blend smooth for a silkier restaurant-style finish.

Storage: Refrigerate up to 5 days, or freeze up to 3 months.

Reheating: Reheat gently over low heat, stirring occasionally. Nutrition (per serving) Approx. 60 kcal, 1.5 g protein, 4.5 g fat, 5 g carbohydrate per 100 ml serving. FAQs Is marinara the same as spaghetti sauce? It's a base for many tomato sauces, but 'spaghetti sauce' in the US often includes meat or extra herbs marinara doesn't traditionally have. Can I use fresh tomatoes? Yes, in peak season; blanch, peel and crush ripe plum tomatoes as a substitute for canned.

FAQs: Is marinara the same as spaghetti sauce? It's a base for many tomato sauces, but 'spaghetti sauce' in the US often includes meat or extra herbs marinara doesn't traditionally have. Can I use fresh tomatoes? Yes, in peak season; blanch, peel and crush ripe plum tomatoes as a substitute for canned.