Garlic Herb Marinara
This homemade garlic herb marinara sauce combines crushed tomatoes, plenty of garlic, and fresh basil, oregano, and thyme. It simmers uncovered until thick and makes about four pints to use right away or freeze for later.
Servings: 24 servings
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 onions chopped
- 8-10 garlic cloves minced
- 2 (28 ounce) cans canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons Fresh thyme
- 3 tablespoons fresh oregano chopped
- 2 bay leaves
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 to 2 anchovies mashed, optional
- 1 cup chopped basil leaves
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for about 1 minute. Add the crushed tomatoes with their juices, water, thyme, oregano, bay leaves, salt, pepper, and anchovies, if using.
- Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the fresh basil and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, discard the bay leaves, and taste for seasoning.
- Let the sauce cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe jars or containers. Leave about 1 inch of headspace for expansion and freeze.
Notes
Adjust thickness: The sauce will naturally thicken as it simmers. If you prefer it looser, stir in a splash of water or broth until it reaches your desired consistency.
Freezing tips: Fill jars or containers with the sauce, leaving about 1 inch of headspace for expansion. Freeze uncovered until solid, then add lids.
Storage: Keeps well in the fridge for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Make it smoother: For a silky marinara, use an immersion blender (or transfer carefully to a blender) to puree after cooking.
Herb timing: Add delicate herbs like basil at the very end of cooking for the freshest flavor.
Multi-use sauce: This marinara isn’t just for pasta. Try it on pizza, in lasagna, over chicken Parmesan, or as a dipping sauce for breadsticks.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 61kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1.5g | Fat: 1.7g | Sodium: 8mg
