Simple Spaghetti Marinara

Here’s how I put together a simple spaghetti marinara. If you’re looking for an easy spaghetti marinara recipe, this isn’t a long-cooked sauce, it comes together pretty quickly and it’s a regular meal in my kitchen, much like our comforting easy homemade baked ziti.

Ingredients

• ○ Yellow onions, finely chopped
• ○ Extra virgin olive oil
• ○ 1 clove garlic, cut in half
• ○ Canned crushed or plum tomatoes (or home-canned tomatoes)
• ○ Fresh basil
• ○ Salt
• ○ Spaghetti (or any pasta you like)
• ○ Cheese, for serving (optional)
• ○ Bread, for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Grab a large skillet and add some extra virgin olive oil. Toss in your finely chopped yellow onions.
2. Sauté the onions until they’re nice and tender, becoming translucent. You don’t want them to brown.
3. Add the garlic clove, cut in half, and let it sauté for about 30 more seconds.
4. Now it’s time for the tomatoes. If you’re using whole or cherry tomatoes, give them a gentle squeeze with the back of a wooden spoon to help them break down.
5. Let the tomatoes cook gently for about 20 minutes, or until their flavor gets deeper. This hearty sauce pairs wonderfully with a side like a fresh garden salad with dressing.
6. Clean your fresh basil, tear it up to release its flavor, and add it to the sauce.
7. Keep the sauce simmering gently for another 15 to 20 minutes, making sure to add plenty of salt.
8. While the sauce simmers, get your pasta water boiling.
9. Once the water is boiling, add your pasta. If you’re using spaghetti, cook it in the boiling water for a solid minute first. This helps release starch so it doesn’t stick together. For another convenient meal that requires minimal cleanup, try a simple one-pan ground beef and rice dish.
10. Transfer the pasta straight from the pot into the pan with your marinara sauce.
11. Toss the pasta really well in the sauce. You want every strand coated and glossy. Doing this at the end of the cooking time helps the pasta absorb the sauce’s flavor.
12. Serve it up as you like, maybe with some cheese and delicious homemade garlic bread on the side.

Consider serving this delightful pasta with a flavorful appetizer like our creamy spinach and artichoke dip.