Description
This vibrant and delicious Marinara Sauce combines fresh tomatoes, garlic, aromatic herbs, and a touch of apple cider vinegar to create a bright, well-balanced Italian classic. Ready in under 30 minutes, this versatile sauce is perfect for pasta, pizza, dipping, and more, bringing fresh, comforting flavors to your kitchen with ease.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinara Sauce Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh tomatoes, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 10 fresh basil leaves, torn
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano (natural)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Optional: 1 teaspoon natural gelling agent
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Finely chop the garlic cloves and rinse the fresh tomatoes. For a smoother sauce, blanch and peel the tomatoes to remove their skins easily.
- Sauté Garlic and Herbs: Heat extra virgin olive oil in a wide skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and dried oregano (natural), stirring frequently until fragrant and lightly golden. This infuses the oil with deep flavors that form the sauce’s foundation.
- Add Tomatoes and Simmer: Add the chopped fresh tomatoes to the skillet, stirring everything together. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for about 15-20 minutes, allowing the tomatoes to break down naturally. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Season and Add Apple Cider Vinegar: Sprinkle salt and black pepper to taste, then pour in a splash of apple cider vinegar. This adds brightness and balances the sauce’s sweetness, creating harmonious flavor.
- Finish with Fresh Basil and Optional Thickener: Tear fresh basil leaves and stir them in just before turning off the heat to preserve their vibrant aroma. If a thicker sauce is preferred, sprinkle in the natural gelling agent and stir well to dissolve evenly.
Notes
- Use ripe tomatoes for natural sweetness and richer flavor.
- Slow simmering allows flavors to meld and intensify perfectly.
- Add apple cider vinegar gradually to control acidity and balance.
- Add fresh basil at the end to keep its bright, fresh flavor.
- Use the natural gelling agent sparingly to achieve desired texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 270mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: marinara sauce, Italian sauce, tomato sauce, quick marinara, fresh tomato sauce, plant-based sauce
