I really don’t like store bought pasta sauce. Most of them have this sweet preservative flavor that makes me dislike it more with every bite. So, several years ago I decided to try and make my own marinara sauce. I came up with this recipe and I have been making it ever since. It is versatile, fast, easy and delicious. You can put it over cheese ravioli as I have it pictured or any pasta of your choice. (Like angel hair. Angel hair is always my choice.)
You don’t have to, but I like to add some vegetables to increase the healthy factor. My favorites are zucchini and mushrooms, but I have also used carrots and spinach- whatever I happen to have on hand… except broccoli. Definitely don’t use broccoli. 😉 My children, however, do not love zucchini and mushrooms and wouldn’t eat it. So, I started blending up my sauce to hide the vegetables and it worked! Now they eat it with no problems. So, here is a great basic, easy, homemade marinara sauce recipe to turn any pasta you have into deliciousness!
- 1 zucchini diced (optional)
- 5 mushrooms diced (optional)
- 1/2 an onion diced
- 2 cloves of garlic minced
- 1-2 Tbsp. of olive oil
- 2 14.5 oz. cans of diced tomatoes (I prefer petite diced)
- 6 leaves or more of fresh basil sliced in ribbons or 1-2 tsp. of dried basil
- Garlic Salt to taste.
- Parmesan Cheese
- Dice your zucchini, mushrooms, and onion and mince your garlic.
- Add your olive oil to a saucepan over medium high heat.
- Saute' your vegetables in the olive oil until they are tender.
- Add one can of diced tomatoes, drained, and your basil.
- Add a sprinkling of garlic salt.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and let it simmer for at least 10 minutes.
- Pour the sauce into your blender if you don't want a chunky texture. (especially helpful for kids)
- Blend it until you get your desired texture and pour it back in your pan.
- Drain your second can of tomatoes and add it to the sauce.
- Taste the sauce and adjust the flavor using garlic salt.
- Sprinkle in some parmesan cheese.
- Serve over your favorite pasta.
- Parmesan toast is a great accompaniment for for this dish. Just slice some french bread, butter it or sprinkle it with olive oil. Then sprinkle on a little garlic salt and parmesan cheese and broil it until the cheese bubbles and it is golden brown. Easy and so tasty!
