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Simple Tomato Sauce

5.0(3010)

The simplest of tomato sauces, this quick-cooking marinara is fresh-tasting and bright. It freezes well if you want to double up on the quantities, though you might have to cook it a bit longer to make up for the extra volume. In the accompanying picture, it's used in a recipe for cauliflower Parmesan.

by Melissa Clark·published 2015-02-04

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American, ItalianEasy, Sauces And Gravies

Servings

About 5 cups

Total time

45 min

Calories / serving

79 kcal

Ingredients (7)

serves

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oilolive-oil
4 garlic cloves, thinly slicedgarlic
1/4 teaspoon red chile flakes (optional)
2 (28-ounce) cans whole or diced plum tomatoestomato
2 sprigs basil or 1 bay leafbasil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon black pepperpepper

Instructions (3 steps)

01In a large, straight-sided skillet over medium heat, warm the oil. Add garlic and cook until just lightly golden. Add chile flakes if desired and cook 30 seconds.
02Stir in tomatoes and juices, basil or bay leaf, and salt and pepper.
03Bring sauce to a simmer and cook until sauce is thick and tomatoes have mostly fallen apart, about 30 to 40 minutes. Adjust heat as needed to keep at a steady simmer. If using whole plum tomatoes, mash them up with the back of a wooden spoon or a potato masher to help them break down. Remove sauce from heat and discard basil or bay leaf.

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Rich recipe — supports nutrition-aware planning.