Spaghetti Marinara Recipe
A classic Spaghetti Marinara featuring a simple, flavorful tomato sauce made by sautéing garlic and simmering crushed tomatoes in olive oil, finished with fresh basil, perfect for a quick and delicious Italian meal.
- Author: Cleo
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Spaghetti Marinara Ingredients
- 200g spaghetti
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 400g crushed tomatoes (1 can)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Handful of fresh basil leaves, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Prepare the garlic: Peel and finely mince the garlic cloves to release their aroma and flavor for cooking.
- Sauté the garlic: Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté gently for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden, but not burnt.
- Add the tomatoes and simmer: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir to combine with the garlic oil. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens slightly and flavors meld.
- Cook the spaghetti: While the sauce simmers, cook the spaghetti in a large pot of boiling salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well.
- Toss pasta with sauce and basil: Add the drained spaghetti to the pan with the marinara sauce. Toss well over low heat to coat the pasta thoroughly. Remove from heat and stir in the chopped fresh basil just before serving to maintain its fresh flavor.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic for best flavor and avoid burnt garlic as it turns bitter.
- Simmering the sauce helps develop deeper flavors; low and slow is best.
- Fresh basil should be added last to preserve its aroma and bright flavor.
- Optionally, add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- Top with grated Parmesan cheese if not vegan.
Keywords: Spaghetti Marinara, Tomato Sauce, Italian Pasta, Easy Pasta Recipe, Garlic Tomato Sauce