Toasted Garlic Marinara Sauce

Brighten up your kitchen with the irresistible flavors of Toasted Garlic Marinara Sauce, a homemade masterpiece that brings depth and warmth to any dish. This recipe highlights the rich aroma of golden, toasted garlic infused in extra virgin olive oil, paired with the sweetness of San Marzano tomatoes and a subtle kick of optional red pepper flakes. Enhanced by layers of tomato paste, dried herbs, and a touch of sugar, this marinara sauce achieves the perfect balance of robust and comforting flavors. Finished with a sprinkle of fresh basil, it’s an ideal companion for pasta, pizza, or as a dipping sauce. Simple to make in under an hour, this versatile sauce will quickly become a staple in your culinary rotation.

Nutriscore Rating: 79/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
• 8 cloves Garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 0.25 teaspoons Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 28 ounces Canned whole San Marzano tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon Dried basil
• 1 teaspoon Sugar
• 0.5 teaspoons Salt
• 0.25 teaspoons Black pepper
• 0.25 cups Fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 0.5 cups Water

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the thinly sliced garlic to the pan. Toast it gently, stirring constantly, until the garlic turns golden brown and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to burn it.

Step 3

If using, stir in the crushed red pepper flakes and cook for another 30 seconds to release the flavors.

Step 4

Add the tomato paste to the pan and stir to combine. Cook for 1-2 minutes to caramelize the paste slightly.

Step 5

Pour the canned San Marzano tomatoes into the pan along with their juices. Use a wooden spoon to crush the whole tomatoes into smaller pieces.

Step 6

Add the dried oregano, dried basil, sugar, salt, and black pepper to the sauce. Stir to distribute the seasonings evenly.

Step 7

Pour in the water and stir to combine. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. The sauce should thicken and develop a deep flavor.

Step 8

Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

Step 9

Stir in the chopped fresh basil leaves just before serving for a burst of fresh flavor.

Step 10

Serve the Toasted Garlic Marinara Sauce immediately with your choice of pasta, pizza, or as a dipping sauce, or let it cool and store it in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1084.5 grams (1084.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	587

Total Fat 44.00g	56%
Saturated Fat 6.00g	30%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1281mg	56%
Total Carbohydrate 50.90g	19%
Dietary Fiber 10.90g	39%
Total Sugars 28.10g
Protein 11.10g	22%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 207mg	16%
Iron 8mg	46%
Potassium 1901mg	40%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 61.5%

Protein: 6.9%

Carbs: 31.6%