Easy Meal Prep Marinara Sauce
This simple marinara sauce is a must have meal prep recipe! It makes a big batch and freezes beautifully. Delicious with spaghetti, chicken parmesan, or as a dipping sauce. Minimal prep time!
Servings: 16 servings
Equipment
- Large pot
- Immersion blender, optional
- Potato masher, optional
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion
- 8-10 cloves fresh garlic
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 3 28-ounce cans whole peeled tomatoes
- 2 cups water
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Handful of fresh basil leaves
- Parmesan cheese rind, optional
Instructions
- PREP: Finely chop onions and mince garlic.
- SWEAT: Heat a dutch oven or large pot over medium heat and add olive oil. Sweat onions with a pinch of salt until soft and translucent, about 8-10 minutes. Add in garlic and cook another minute.
- CARAMELIZE: Add in tomato paste, and cook for 2-3 minutes until it darkens (caramelizes), while stirring.
- BLEND: Add in tomatoes, water, oregano, thyme, and another few pinches of salt and mix together. For a smoother sauce, purée with an immersion blender. For a chunkier sauce, break up tomatoes with a potato masher.
- SIMMER: Add in whole basil leaves, and parmesan rind if using. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook covered for about 20-30 minutes.
- FINISH: Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Discard the parmesan rind. Serve with pasta, as a dipping sauce, or with chicken parmesan.
Notes
- If using a food processor or blender, blend the tomatoes first before adding them to the sauce.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Store in the freezer for 6-8 months.
- Reheat in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stovetop. Thaw frozen sauce first.
Nutrition
Calories: 30kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 1gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0.3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 86mgPotassium: 128mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 172IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 1mg