The Perfect Marinara Sauce

I've been making a version of this marinara sauce for years and have perfected it. It works great with meat in it (ground beef seasoned a little first or my favorite mild Italian ground sausage) or with these Baked Meatballs.

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Ingredients

• 1 white onion, diced

• 3 cloved garlic, minced

• 2 Tbsp Olive Oil

• 45 oz tomato sauce

• 30 oz diced tomato (do not drain)

• 1/4 cup brown sugar

• 1 Tbsp dried oregano

• 1 Tbsp dried basil

• 1/2 - 3/4 tsp red pepper flakes (I like mine spicy so ease into this if you aren't sure how spicy you want it)

• 3/4 tsp Italian seasoning

• Salt and Pepper to taste

Steps

1. Put the onion, garlic and olive oil in a large pot (I like my Le Creuset for this) and sauté for 3 - 5 minutes or until fragrant.

2. If adding meat, add it at this time and cook in the same pan before adding the other ingredients.

3. Add all the remaining ingredients to the pot, stir together well and bring to a low boil. Then simmer on low heat covered for at least 20 minutes stirring occasionally.

4. Serve over spaghetti noodles and top with parmesan cheese and dried parsley for garnish.

   
   

Tips

• I will often add diced zucchini since it adds a little more texture, vegetables and does not change the flavor at all.

• Be sure to keep the juices from the diced tomatoes.

• This is pretty thick on its own but if you want a slightly thicker texture add a small amount of tomato paste.

Nutrients

This is based on My Fitness Pal calculations for 10 servings with NO meat

120 calories / serving

20.7g Carbs / 2.8g Fat / 3.4g Protein