Quick Marinara Spaghetti with Basil
Quick Marinara Spaghetti with Basil
Ingredients
For the Marinara Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, small, finely chopped
- 3 garlic, cloves, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, can
- 14 1/2 ounces diced tomatoes, can, undrained
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped, plus more for garnish
For the Spaghetti
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water
For Serving (Optional)
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- 1
Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the finely chopped yellow onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min
- 2
Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to let it brown or burn.
⏱️ 1 min
- 3
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes (with their juice), tomato paste, dried oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), and granulated sugar. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
⏱️ 2 min
- 4
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the marinara sauce simmer for at least 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld and deepen.
⏱️ 20 min
- 5
While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente.
⏱️ 10 min
- 6
Before draining the pasta, reserve about 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta cooking water. This can be used to adjust the sauce consistency if needed.
⏱️ 1 min
- 7
Drain the cooked spaghetti thoroughly and set aside.
⏱️ 1 min
- 8
Once the marinara sauce has simmered, stir in the 1/2 cup of chopped fresh basil. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 2 min
- 9
Add the drained spaghetti directly to the marinara sauce in the pot and toss gently to combine, ensuring all the pasta is coated. Alternatively, serve the sauce over individual portions of spaghetti.
⏱️ 1 min
- 10
Garnish each serving with additional fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Quick Marinara Spaghetti with Basil
Ingredients
For the Marinara Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, small, finely chopped
- 3 garlic, cloves, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, can
- 14 1/2 ounces diced tomatoes, can, undrained
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped, plus more for garnish
For the Spaghetti
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water
For Serving (Optional)
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- 1
Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the finely chopped yellow onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min - 2
Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to let it brown or burn.
⏱️ 1 min - 3
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes (with their juice), tomato paste, dried oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), and granulated sugar. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
⏱️ 2 min - 4
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the marinara sauce simmer for at least 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld and deepen.
⏱️ 20 min - 5
While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente.
⏱️ 10 min - 6
Before draining the pasta, reserve about 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta cooking water. This can be used to adjust the sauce consistency if needed.
⏱️ 1 min - 7
Drain the cooked spaghetti thoroughly and set aside.
⏱️ 1 min - 8
Once the marinara sauce has simmered, stir in the 1/2 cup of chopped fresh basil. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 2 min - 9
Add the drained spaghetti directly to the marinara sauce in the pot and toss gently to combine, ensuring all the pasta is coated. Alternatively, serve the sauce over individual portions of spaghetti.
⏱️ 1 min - 10
Garnish each serving with additional fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 1 min