How to Make Fresh Tomato Marinara Sauce - A Step-by-Step Guide

There's nothing quite like the aroma of a homemade marinara sauce simmering on the stove. The rich, velvety texture and robust flavor of a good marinara can elevate any meal, whether it's tossed with pasta, drizzled over pizza, or used as a dipping sauce for warm, crusty bread. And when it's made with fresh, ripe tomatoes, it's all the more satisfying.

This recipe for Fresh Tomato Marinara Sauce is a celebration of the season's bounty. It's simple, straightforward, and allows the natu...

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Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ onion, chopped
  • 8 large tomatoes, peeled and cut into big chunks
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ½ cup red wine
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon fennel seed
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar, or more to taste

Information

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 1 hr 10 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr 25 mins
  • Servings: 6

  • Heat olive oil in a stockpot over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, garlic, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until tomatoes are soft, about 30 minutes.
  • Stir in red wine, honey, basil, oregano, marjoram, salt, black pepper, fennel seed, and crushed red pepper; simmer and cook until herbs have flavored the sauce, about 30 minutes more.
  • Add balsamic vinegar; still well to combine. Discard bay leaf.
  • Nutrition

    147 cal.

    • Total Fat: 7g
    • Saturated Fat: 1g
    • Sodium: 403mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 17g
    • Dietary Fiber: 4g
    • Total Sugars: 11g
    • Protein: 3g
    • Vitamin C: 34mg
    • Calcium: 52mg
    • Iron: 1mg
    • Potassium: 666mg