Homemade Marinara Sauce

Homemade marinara sauce is easier to make than you think!  Here is my simple go-to recipe and it comes out delicious every time!

Homemade Marinara Sauce (perfect for one 1lb of pasta)

Ingredients:

- 1 large can crushed tomatoes (use fresh if they're in season- San Marzano are the best if you have to use canned)

- 1 regular can plain tomato sauce

- 2 tbsp olive oil

- 5 cloves garlic, minced

- 1/2 vidalia onion, chopped

- 1/4 cup fresh basil, minced

- 1 cup red wine (use whatever kind you like)

- 1 tbsp sugar (sounds weird but it brings out the sweetness of the tomatoes)

- 1 tsp red pepper flakes

- Freshly cracked salt and pepper

Preparation:

- Heat olive oil on medium.

- Add onion; season with salt and pepper.

- Saute onion until almost translucent.

- Add garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes.  Stir often so as not to burn the garlic.

- Add red wine and cook down until wine is evaporated

- Stir in tomatoes, sauce, hot pepper flakes and sugar.

- Simmer for 20 minutes on low heat.

- Remove from heat and add basil.

*It is important to taste your sauce before serving.  Sometimes tomatoes can be sweet or sour, depending on when they were canned.  Adjust your seasonings accordingly.

- Always use fresh basil.  It makes a huge difference.

Late in the game, I usually toss in a bunch of freshly grated Parmesan cheese to give the sauce sharpness and creaminess.  Basic marinara doesn't have to have cheese, so cater it to your tastes.

Enjoy!