Classic Spaghetti Marinara
Classic Spaghetti Marinara
Ingredients
For the Marinara Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, small, finely chopped
- 4 garlic, cloves, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, can
- 6 ounces tomato paste, can
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
For the Spaghetti
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water
For Serving
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- 1
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the finely chopped yellow onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min
- 2
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
⏱️ 1 min
- 3
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, to deepen its flavor.
⏱️ 2 min
- 4
Pour in the crushed tomatoes. Add the dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes (if using), granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Stir well to combine.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for at least 20 minutes, or up to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 25 min
- 6
While the sauce is simmering, 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
- 7
Drain the spaghetti, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water. You can add a splash of this water to the sauce if you prefer a thinner consistency.
⏱️ 1 min
- 8
Taste the marinara sauce and adjust seasoning (salt, pepper, or sugar) as needed. You can either toss the drained spaghetti directly with the sauce in the skillet or serve the sauce over individual portions of spaghetti.
⏱️ 2 min
- 9
Garnish generously with fresh chopped basil and grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Classic Spaghetti Marinara
Ingredients
For the Marinara Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, small, finely chopped
- 4 garlic, cloves, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, can
- 6 ounces tomato paste, can
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
For the Spaghetti
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water
For Serving
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- 1
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the finely chopped yellow onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min - 2
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
⏱️ 1 min - 3
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, to deepen its flavor.
⏱️ 2 min - 4
Pour in the crushed tomatoes. Add the dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes (if using), granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Stir well to combine.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for at least 20 minutes, or up to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 25 min - 6
While the sauce is simmering, 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 - 7
Drain the spaghetti, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water. You can add a splash of this water to the sauce if you prefer a thinner consistency.
⏱️ 1 min - 8
Taste the marinara sauce and adjust seasoning (salt, pepper, or sugar) as needed. You can either toss the drained spaghetti directly with the sauce in the skillet or serve the sauce over individual portions of spaghetti.
⏱️ 2 min - 9
Garnish generously with fresh chopped basil and grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
⏱️ 1 min