Hearty and Easy Marinara Sauce

why this recipe works

• Easy to make
• Healthy:- it is keto, gluten-free, free from added sugars, vegan, paleo-friendly, whole30-friendly, and made with wholesome ingredients. It also does not contain any artificial ingredients; as they say, homemade is indeed best!
• Convenient:- this hearty marinara sauce can easily be made from scratch using canned or fresh tomatoes, making it absolutely convenient.
• So many uses:- use this tasty tomato sauce for your pizzas, casseroles, pastas, meatloaf, meatballs or for other flavorful meals that call for tomato or spaghetti sauce.

ingredients

You don't need much for this recipe! Just a handful of items from the local farmers' market or grocery store.

• Extra Virgin Olive oil - I like to use olive oil but any kind of neutral keto or low carb compliant oil such as avocado oil, is okay to use.
• Fresh Garlic cloves.
• Tomatoes - Roma, and cherry tomatoes are the most common varieties that I use when making tomato sauce, but simply use any type of tomatoes you have in hand. If making this recipe using canned tomatoes, then use a good-quality brand such as San Marzano (not sponsored).
• Onion - I like to use an onion to lend some flavor to the sauce. Add it quartered to the simmering sauce then remove it once cooked. This means you do not have to worry about it increasing your net carb count and spoiling your keto diet.
• Fresh Basil - similar to the onion, add a large sprig of basil, which you can then remove later once the spaghetti sauce is cooked through. I also like to reserve a few leaves which I then finely slice into ribbons, and use as garnish.
• Oregano - If you can, use fresh oregano to deliver the best flavor, but the dried spice also works well.
• Red chilli pepper flakes.
• Half a cup of water.
• Salt.

how to make hearty marinara sauce

Making your own hearty marinara sauce from scratch has never been easier. And while easy marinara sauce is traditionally made using fresh peeled tomatoes, you can still make them using canned tomatoes as follows:-

Method 1: Using Fresh Tomatoes

1. We start by peeling the tomatoes. Boil some water, give each tomato a little X-shaped scar at the top, then give them a quick dip in the hot water for about a minute.

2. While the tomatoes boil, we prepare a bowl of icy water. Once done, use tongs to move the tomatoes into the cold bath for easier peeling.
3. Let them cool a bit, then move to a board. Peel, deseed, and quarter them. The skin should slide right off!
4. Put the peeled tomatoes in a bowl and crush by hand. Then, heat a saucepan on medium, adding olive oil and slivered garlic.

5. Once the garlic has briefly sizzled, we then add the crushed tomatoes, water, salt, chili flakes, oregano, onion, and basil; stir. Cover and simmer on low, stirring occasionally.
6. Add more salt if needed, garnish with some thinly sliced basil leaves and serve.

Method 2: Using Canned Tomatoes

1. Crush the canned tomatoes in a bowl with your hands, following the Italian tradition of hands-on cooking (see useful tips below).
2. Once the tomatoes are crushed, continue from the '' the rest of the steps in Method 1 above (i.e., beginning with sautéing the garlic, followed by adding the tomatoes and seasonings, simmering until cooked, garnishing, and then serving).

Related recipes: For more flavorful and healthy recipes like this, try our air fryer salmon bites, pilau masala spice, or this brussel sprouts with bacon, next!

useful tips

• I do not recommend using a cast iron skillet or a metalic pot as the tomato sauce may end up having an acidic taste.
• Don't skimp on the olive oil. Olive oil is essential for flavor and texture.
• This is a true Italian recipe where the use of hands in cooking is very common. Just think about all the wonderful dishes that we make using our hands, starting with pizza!
• For a non-traditional marinara and considering tomatoes' varied acidity, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of sugar, sugar-free sweetener (for keto), or a cup of grated carrots to cut the acidity of the tomatoes. Similarly, thicken the sauce by using grated carrots or half a teaspoon xanthan gum (for those on a low-carb diet).
• For variation, throw in some anchovies, capers, olives or your favorite seasonings and herbs for a variation in the flavor! Add about half a cup of red wine for a depth in flavor, but keep an eye on the net carb count, if on a low-carb diet! This sauce is even tastier when made a day ahead.

serving suggestions

Let's start with the classic ways of serving it:-

1. pasta: toss it with your favorite pasta, be it spaghetti, penne, or ziti, and sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
2. meat: use as a base for meatballs or pour over grilled chicken or fish for added depth and flavor.
3. Use it when making your homemade pizza.
4. Serve it warm as a dipping sauce alongside some garlic bread, breadsticks, or mozzarella sticks.
5. For a hearty meal, use it as a filling for lasagna, stuffed bell peppers, or eggplant rollatini.

For those on special diets, it goes well with mashed cauliflower, spiralized vegetables, such as zucchini and carrots. As always, do not let this limit you, feel free to serve it with your favorite dishes!

frequently asked questions

other tasty recipes to try

• Ninja Pressure Cooker Tomato Soup
• Traditional Shirazi Salad
• Kachumbari Salad
• Keto Ketchup
• Keto Tomato Soup