Are you a pasta lover but tired of store-bought marinara sauce that is loaded with preservatives and excessive amounts of salt? Then, this easy homemade whole foods marinara sauce recipe is perfect for you. In this post, we will introduce you to a simple recipe that requires only a few simple ingredients and can be customized to your liking. With this recipe, you can enjoy the taste of delicious sauce while knowing you are consuming a healthy option.Making your own marinara sauce at home is a great way to control the amount of sodium and preservatives in your meal. Plus, the taste is unbeatable compared to store-bought options. By following this recipe, you’ll learn how to make a healthy and tasty marinara sauce that you can enjoy with your favorite pasta dish or even on pizza. So, let’s get started!
This whole foods marinara sauce recipe is perfect for everyone. You can customize it to your liking, adding different spices or vegetables based on your preferences. It is easy to make and requires just a few simple ingredients that are most likely already in your pantry. By making this recipe, you can create a healthier, tastier version of your favorite marinara sauce that will take your pasta and other Italian dishes to the next level. Are you excited yet? Let’s proceed to what you will need to make this delicious sauce.When it comes to making marinara sauce from scratch, it may seem overwhelming at first. However, as you’ll see, the recipe is quite simple to execute. All you need is a few ingredients and some patience. So, let’s get started with what you will need to make this homemade whole foods marinara sauce.
What You Will Need
To make a delicious whole foods marinara sauce, you need to start with the right ingredients. Begin by selecting the ripest tomatoes available – they should be firm yet soft and free of bruises or blemishes. If you’re not sure which variety to choose, try San Marzano or Roma tomatoes. These tomatoes are meatier and have fewer seeds than other types, making them perfect for sauce-making.When it comes to making a marinara sauce from scratch, using quality olive oil is essential. It enhances the flavor of the sauce and adds a smooth texture to it. You don’t want a sauce that is too oily, so be careful not to add too much. Additionally, it’s important to let the sauce simmer for at least 30 minutes to ensure that all the flavors are fully developed. After this time, you can adjust the seasoning and add more salt or pepper, depending on your taste preferences.
While the traditional marinara sauce recipe often calls for white sugar, we recommend using brown sugar or honey instead. These natural sweeteners not only add a unique depth of flavor to the sauce, but they also provide additional health benefits that refined sugar lacks. All you need is a tablespoon of sugar or honey to balance the acidity in the tomatoes, and voila! Your sauce will be perfectly sweetened.
If you’re someone who loves a little bit of heat in your marinara sauce, you can add a pinch or two of crushed red pepper flakes. This ingredient adds a zingy kick to the sauce and complements the sweet tomato base very well. Plus, red pepper flakes are known to contain capsaicin, a compound that has numerous health benefits, such as reducing pain and inflammation in the body. It’s a win-win situation!
How to Make Whole Foods Marinara Sauce
To begin making homemade marinara sauce, start with heating olive oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Use extra-virgin olive oil for a more authentic and rich flavor. Once heated, add minced garlic and diced onion to the pan and sauté them until they turn fragrant and tender. This should take around three to four minutes.Continue to stir the ingredients to avoid burning them. After the garlic and onion are properly sautéed, add the diced tomatoes. To add more sweetness to the sauce, you can add a tablespoon of brown sugar or honey. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix in any other spices or herbs you prefer, like thyme, rosemary, or bay leaf. Let the mixture simmer for 30 minutes over low heat to deepen the flavor.
After the sauce has simmered for thirty minutes, it is time to puree it to achieve a smooth and silky texture. Use a blender or a food processor to puree the mixture. If you like your sauce to be chunky, you can skip this step. If you prefer a creamier sauce, you can add cream or cashew paste to it. At this point, you can taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. Once the sauce is pureed, return it to the saucepan and let it simmer for another ten to 15 minutes. You can also add fresh basil leaves to it for a fragrant and refreshing note.
Tips and Tricks
When selecting tomatoes for your marinara sauce, do not settle for anything less than whole, high-quality tomatoes. They may be more expensive than other tomatoes, but the end result of your sauce will be worth it. Also, be sure to check the label of any canned tomato products that you use to ensure they do not contain any preservatives that could alter the taste of your sauce.In addition to using high-quality whole tomatoes, using fresh herbs can make all the difference in the taste of your marinara sauce. If you have access to fresh basil or oregano, add them at the end of the cooking process or use them as a garnish. The fresh herbs will enhance the flavor profile and give your sauce a delicious aroma.
If you do not have access to fresh herbs, you can also use dried herbs in your marinara sauce. Dried basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary are all great options that can be easily found in any grocery store. However, be cautious of how much dried herbs you use as they can be overpowering and alter the taste of your sauce. Always start with a small amount, and gradually add more until you achieve the desired taste.When using canned tomatoes, try to find tomato products that have minimal additives, salt, or sugar. One way to ensure this is to buy canned whole peeled tomatoes without added calcium chloride. Calcium chloride is often used to help the tomatoes keep their shape, but it can also make them taste tough and sour. Look for tomatoes packed in purée or juice, without added salt.
Conclusion
To give your marinara sauce a sweetness boost, you can add a small amount of brown sugar or honey. This is particularly helpful if your tomatoes are too acidic. Start by adding a teaspoon of brown sugar or honey, and taste the sauce before adding more. Keep in mind that over-sweetening can ruin the sauce, so use these ingredients sparingly. If you want more heat, add crushed red pepper to your sauce. It will give it a spicy kick and balance out any sweetness.
When preparing your marinara sauce, it is important not to overcook it. If you cook the sauce for too long, it can become too thick or the flavors can become dull. To avoid this, cook the sauce on medium-low heat for no more than 30 minutes. Keep an eye on the pot and stir occasionally to avoid burning or sticking. If your sauce turns out too thick, you can always thin it out by adding a small amount of water.To thin out the sauce, add a very small amount of water (a tablespoon or two) and mix well. Then, let the sauce simmer for several more minutes on low heat, while stirring occasionally. Keep in mind that this will only work if the sauce is not already overcooked. So, be sure to keep a close eye on it while it is simmering. Another trick is to add some white wine to the sauce to help thin it out. This will add a hint of extra flavor to the sauce and keep it from becoming too thick.
Hi there! I’m Astrid Ogley, a passionate foodie and avid cook. With a love for all types of cuisine, from classic comfort food to exotic international dishes, I’m always looking to expand my culinary horizons. Through this blog, I share my tips and inspiration for cooking delicious meals and exploring new flavors.
