I feel like one thing anyone who cooks strives for is to have their own sauce recipe. After years of eating sauce from the jar, my eyes were opened to the freshness of homemade sauce when I attempted to make it myself.
Even the first attempt with just some tomatoes and herbs, something clicked. I needed to figure this out. Any good sauce is made with different layers of flavor and how people get there is all up to them.
I’ve heard everything from veggies, butter, wine, and even fish sauce… yes, fish sauce in marinara, make it great. I personally skipped the fish sauce and went for a good dry red wine. Another key to this sauce is grating the onion. It’ll come out as an applesauce texture, but this ensures that you won’t get full bites of onion in the sauce. I’d like to thank my Italian co-worker for that tip.
Remember that pasta from the last post and those Baked Turkey Meatballs from the post before that…. ? It’s perfect for a Sunday afternoon when you have the time to relax and make this awesome meal.
Slow Simmered Marinara Sauce
Slow simmered marinara that's full of layers of flavor
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, grated with small grate
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup dry red wine
- 2 28oz crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 tablespoon oregano
- 1 tablespoon parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme
- 1/2 tablespoon basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large sauce pan. Add onion and garlic. Cook until aromatic and onions start to brown between 3-5 minutes. Add red pepper flakes and cook another minute.
- Add wine and scrape up any browned bits. Allow to simmer 5 minutes so wine reduces in half so little liquid is left.
- Mix in tomatoes, oregano, parsley, thyme, basil, and salt and pepper. Let simmer on low, uncovered for three hours.
Ann
Saturday 23rd of February 2019
I made this, it’s absolutley amazing. The spice lvl for me wad on point. This recipe will probably be my go to recipe from now on- albeit slightly different. In the spagghetti I just made, the only thing where I deviate from the recipe was adding chilli flakes instead of red pepper and using powder garlic instead of fresh due to lack of availabilty of those ingredients at my house.in terms of cooking,
Sam
Thursday 28th of February 2019
Hi Ann!
I'm so glad to hear that you made and love the sauce! Your substitutions sound delicious and I hope you continue to enjoy!
Caroline @ Pinch Me, I'm Eating!
Tuesday 19th of January 2016
The sauce sounds delicious and looks amazing with those meatballs! I never thought to grate the onion. My Italian grandmother would be so ashamed, I always make sauce from a jar. I will have to try this soon! Yum!
Also, thanks for following me on pinterest! You have a beautiful site.
Sam
Monday 25th of January 2016
Thanks Caroline! I had never considered it either until my co-worker told me about it. It makes a world of a difference and I definitely recommend it!