Imagine twirling your fork into a steaming plate of perfectly cooked pasta, draped in a rich, aromatic marinara sauce that tastes like it was crafted by an Italian grandmother. This isn't just another pasta recipe - it's a culinary journey that transforms simple ingredients into a mouthwatering masterpiece that will have your family and friends begging for seconds. Whether you're a busy home cook or a passionate food lover, this special marinara pasta promises to elevate your dinner game with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 400g pasta
- 1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for cooking
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients: 400g of pasta, 1 can (400g) of crushed tomatoes, 2 cloves of garlic (minced), 1 onion (chopped), 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, salt and pepper to taste, olive oil for cooking, and fresh basil for garnish.
- Fill a large pot with water, add a generous pinch of salt, and bring it to a boil over high heat. This will be used to cook the pasta.
- While the water is heating, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chopped onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes, or until it becomes translucent.
- Next, add the minced garlic to the skillet with the onions and sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent the garlic from burning.
- Once the garlic is fragrant, pour in the can of crushed tomatoes. Stir to combine with the onion and garlic mixture.
- Add 1 teaspoon of dried oregano to the sauce, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir well to incorporate the spices.
- Let the marinara sauce simmer on low heat for about 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- While the sauce is simmering, add the pasta to the boiling water. Cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes.
- Once the pasta is cooked, reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta in a colander.
- After draining the pasta, add it directly to the skillet with the marinara sauce. Toss the pasta in the sauce, adding a bit of the reserved pasta water if necessary to achieve your desired consistency.
- Cook the pasta in the sauce for an additional 2-3 minutes to allow it to absorb the flavors.
- Once everything is well combined, remove the skillet from heat. Serve the pasta hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves for an aromatic touch.
- Enjoy your delicious pasta with special marinara sauce!
Tips
- Salt Your Pasta Water: Always add a generous amount of salt to your boiling water. This is your first chance to season the pasta and enhance its overall flavor.
- Reserve Pasta Water: The starchy cooking water is liquid gold! It helps create a silky sauce and helps the pasta and marinara sauce bind together perfectly.
- Cook Pasta Al Dente: Slightly undercooked pasta continues to cook when mixed with the hot sauce, ensuring a perfect texture.
- Fresh Herbs Matter: While dried oregano works great, adding fresh basil at the end brings a bright, aromatic finish to the dish.
- Low and Slow Sauce Cooking: Simmering the marinara sauce on low heat allows the flavors to develop and intensify, creating a more complex taste profile.
- Quality Ingredients: Use good quality canned tomatoes and extra virgin olive oil for the best possible flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: mg
