Authentic Italian Marinara Sauce Recipe

Taste the tradition! This Authentic Italian Marinara Sauce recipe, passed down through generations, captures the vibrant flavors of Sicily. While Nonna used fresh tomatoes from her garden, this version uses high-quality canned tomatoes for convenience. This versatile sauce is perfect on its own with pasta or as a base for your favorite meatballs or Italian sausage. Learn the secrets to a rich, deeply flavorful sauce that will transport you to the heart of Italy! (Optional: Elevate it with slow-simmered meats for an even heartier meal!)

Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 155 mins
Calories 230.6 kcal
Protein 15g
Rating 3.5 (4 Reviews)
Authentic Italian Marinara Sauce 71

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Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Authentic Italian Marinara Sauce

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How to Make Authentic Italian Marinara Sauce

  1. In a large pan over medium heat, sauté minced garlic and chopped onion in olive oil until translucent (about 5 minutes).
  2. Add crushed tomatoes to the pan.
  3. Sprinkle in black pepper and add bay leaves.
  4. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, to reduce and intensify the flavors.
  5. (Optional) If using meat: Brown the Italian sausage, pork chop, and neck bones in a separate pan before adding them to the sauce. Add browned meats to the sauce.
  6. Stir in chopped basil and parsley.
  7. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let the sauce simmer for at least another 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  8. After 2 hours, taste the sauce. If it's too acidic or you prefer a sweeter flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder. Stir well and simmer for 5 more minutes.
  9. Remove bay leaves before serving or storing.
  10. Serve your delicious marinara sauce over your favorite pasta or store it in the refrigerator or freezer for later use.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

22 g

Sugar

4g

Fat

7g

Carbs

11g