Best 14 Basic Red Gravy Marinara Recipes

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In the realm of Italian cuisine, few dishes hold a more central and beloved place than pasta. And when it comes to pasta, there's no better companion than a luscious, flavorful red gravy marinara. This classic sauce, with its rich red hue and tantalizing aroma, has the power to transform a humble bowl of pasta into a culinary masterpiece. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a novice cook, mastering the art of making a basic red gravy marinara is a culinary pursuit that will reward you with endless possibilities in the kitchen.

Here are our top 14 tried and tested recipes!

CLASSIC MARINARA SAUCE



Classic Marinara Sauce image

Homemade marinara is almost as fast and tastes immeasurably better than even the best supermarket sauce - and it's made with basic pantry ingredients. All the tricks to a bright red, lively-tasting sauce, made just as it is in the south of Italy (no butter, no onions) are in this recipe. Use a skillet instead of the usual saucepan: the water evaporates quickly, so the tomatoes are just cooked through as the sauce becomes thick. (Our colleagues over at Wirecutter have spent a lot of time testing skillets to find the best on the market. If you're looking to purchase one, check out their skillet guide.)

Provided by Julia Moskin

Categories     quick, condiments, dips and spreads, sauces and gravies

Time 25m

Yield 3 1/2 cups, enough for 1 pound of pasta

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 28-ounce can whole San Marzano tomatoes, certified D.O.P. if possible
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
7 garlic cloves, peeled and slivered
Small dried whole chile, or pinch crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 large fresh basil sprig, or 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, more to taste

Steps:

  • Pour tomatoes into a large bowl and crush with your hands. Pour 1 cup water into can and slosh it around to get tomato juices. Reserve.
  • In a large skillet (do not use a deep pot) over medium heat, heat the oil. When it is hot, add garlic.
  • As soon as garlic is sizzling (do not let it brown), add the tomatoes, then the reserved tomato water. Add whole chile or red pepper flakes, oregano (if using) and salt. Stir.
  • Place basil sprig, including stem, on the surface (like a flower). Let it wilt, then submerge in sauce. Simmer sauce until thickened and oil on surface is a deep orange, about 15 minutes. (If using oregano, taste sauce after 10 minutes of simmering, adding more salt and oregano as needed.) Discard basil and chile (if using).

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 94, UnsaturatedFat 7 grams, Carbohydrate 6 grams, Fat 8 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 1 gram, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 275 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams

BASIC RED SAUCE



Basic Red Sauce image

Tomato paste, red onion, and fresh basil add a hint of sweetness to this quick-cooking marinara. Pile our meatballs on spaghetti and you have a familiar favorite.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Healthy Recipes     Gluten-Free Recipes

Yield Makes 2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 can (28 ounces) peeled plum tomatoes with juice, pureed
12 basil leaves, torn
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
Pinch of crushed red-pepper flakes (optional)
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

Steps:

  • Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook onion and garlic, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste.
  • Add pureed tomatoes, basil, oregano, red-pepper flakes, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Season with pepper, and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat, and gently simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thick, 25 to 30 minutes.

AUTHENTIC ITALIAN AMERICAN MARINARA SAUCE/ RED GRAVY



Authentic Italian American Marinara Sauce/ Red Gravy image

If you are Italian, or were lucky enough to grow up with some, this is the red sauce that you knew. you may have called it "gravy", or "red sauce". whatever you called it, you loved it. it is a marinara sauce, and look for my meatball recipe, as this is what you should be cooking them in.

Provided by An Italian Jew

Categories     Sauces

Time 4h20m

Yield 46 CUPS, 46 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

10 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes, use ones from Italy if you can, but any will really do as all crushed tomatoes are canned when the t
1 large white onion
1/2 head garlic
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/16 cup salt
1/16 cup pepper
3/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup dried oregano
8 bay leaves, dried

Steps:

  • Rough chop onion and garlic.
  • Heat up a large pan on medium heat.
  • Pour in all of olive oil.
  • Dump in onion and sauté until soft.
  • Add garlic, bay leaf, oregano, salt and pepper.
  • Stir all together into a mess and continue to cook, if it seems to hot, turn down the heat, you don't want to burn anything.
  • Once everything is well mixed and cooked, turn up the heat for about 1 minute. I tell you to do this as you are about to add the balsamic vinegar to "deglaze" and you will want the pan hot.
  • Add balsamic, stir quickly while hot steam rises. the vapors should make you eyes water, and nose run, so be careful to remain hygienic. when vapors stop remove from heat.
  • Open all the cans of crushed tomato.
  • Stir in one can at a time with wooden spoon or rubber spatula.
  • Once all cans are in, stir well again so you don't see any oil on the top of sauce. return to heat. Cook on low heat uncovered, stirring whenever you walk into the kitchen for some other reason. You don't need to stir it every hour, but do it whenever you get around to it. although you do need to stir it from time to time.
  • Cook for at least five hours. If you want to do this while you go to work, you can transfer everything to a crock pot, but you must start in a big metal pot. Your choice.
  • Serve over your favorite pasta, or use to cook my meatball recipe, which is highly recommended ( look at the reviews). doing my meatballs is particularly easy if you have transferred gravy to a crock pot, but if you do you may need to remove some sauce to fit the balls in the sauce.
  • Freeze left over sauce, just pour cooled sauce in zip-lock bags and throw in freezer.

RECIPE FOR MARINARA SAUCE



Recipe for Marinara Sauce image

Mom's Sunday Gravy Marinara Sauce - serve with pasta sprinkled with parmesan cheese and minced parsley, meatballs, or Bracioli

Provided by Deb Clark

Categories     Sauces

Time 2h15m

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 medium onion (chopped)
4 cloves garlic chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 6 oz. can tomato paste
½ cup red wine
3 cups water
1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes*
1/2 cup fresh basil (or if using dried substitute with 2 tablespoons dried)
1 bay leaf
4 tablespoons sugar (sugar sweetens the acid in the tomatoes)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1 tsp garlic powder

Steps:

  • Begin by dicing the onion and mince the garlic.
  • In a large heavy bottom pan over medium heat, sauté the onion and garlic in 2 tablespoons good olive oil.
  • When it's lightly browned - about five minutes - add the tomato paste and 3 cups water. Increase the heat to high. Stir together well, bring to a boil then reduce to medium low.
  • Simmer for twenty minutes on medium low heat, stirring frequently. This makes a rich base and concentrates the onion/garlic flavors.
  • Next add the remaining ingredients; 1 can of crushed tomatoes, the fresh or dried basil, bay leaf, sugar, salt, pepper, chili powder, red wine & garlic powder.
  • Continue to cook, stirring occasionally until well blended. Simmer on the stove for 1 1/2 hours. Adjust seasonings to your taste.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 76 kcal, Carbohydrate 8 g, Fat 3 g, Sodium 299 mg, Sugar 6 g, ServingSize 1 serving

CLASSIC MARINARA SAUCE



Classic Marinara Sauce image

Provided by Valerie Bertinelli

Categories     condiment

Time 25m

Yield 8 cups

Number Of Ingredients 7

1/3 cup olive oil
6 cloves garlic, minced
Three 26-ounce cartons chopped tomatoes
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 large basil sprig
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons unsalted butter

Steps:

  • Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until it just turns golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the tomatoes, Italian seasoning, basil, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of fresh pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, for 7 minutes. Take off the heat and stir in the butter until melted. Add salt and pepper to taste.

BASIC MARINARA SAUCE



Basic Marinara Sauce image

This is a light version of my Sunday gravy (can't give up the family recipe, top secret). Though this version is much faster than the 3-4 hours most Sunday gravies take. I NEVER measure herbs for gravy but this is about right for the amount of tomatoes used here. Hope you enjoy!

Provided by Diamond Joe

Categories     European

Time 1h

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

28 ounces crushed tomatoes
2 -3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 small onion, diced (optional)
1 ounce dry red wine (not cooking wine)
1 teaspoon dried oregano (give or take 1/2 tsp)
10 -12 basil leaves, cut fine (julienned)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
olive oil, to fry garlic and onion

Steps:

  • On low light, put tomatoes in saucepan.
  • In a frying pan, fry garlic in extra virgin olive oil, just enought to coat the pan. Once they start to sizzle, add to tomatoes and stir. If using the onion, saute in olive oil as well and add to tomotoes and stir.
  • Add wine to frying pan and scrape pan with a wood spoon. Once wine starts to boil, about 30 seconds, add to tomatoes and stir.(Be careful, do this on a low light or shut the gas off).
  • Once the gravy starts to bubble, add and stir oregano, then the basil, then season with salt and pepper.
  • Simmer on low light for about 45 minutes, stirring frequently.
  • The sky is the limit, serve over any pasta you wish. Can be used in lasagnas and parmigianas too.Leftovers can be frozen for up to 3 weeks.

MARINARA SAUCE



Marinara Sauce image

Make classic marinara sauce at home with this easy recipe by Giada De Laurentiis from Everyday Italian on Food Network.

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Time 1h20m

Yield 2 quarts

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 small onions, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 stalks celery, finely chopped
2 carrots, peeled and finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 (32-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
2 dried bay leaves

Steps:

  • In a large casserole pot, heat the oil over a medium-high flame. Add the onions and garlic and saute until the onions are translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the celery, carrots, and 1/2 teaspoon of each salt and pepper. Saute until all the vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes. Add the tomatoes and bay leaves, and simmer uncovered over low heat until the sauce thickens, about 1 hour. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Season the sauce with more salt and pepper, to taste. (The sauce can be made 1 day ahead. Cool, then cover and refrigerate. Rewarm over medium heat before using.)

RED SAUCE BASE - MARINARA



Red Sauce Base - Marinara image

Provided by Robert Irvine : Food Network

Categories     condiment

Time 1h

Yield 1 1/2 gallons

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 large yellow onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, peeled and thinly sliced or minced
2 cups minced or grated carrots
1/2 cup dry red wine
3 tablespoons fresh minced thyme
Salt and freshly ground pepper
120 ounces canned whole peeled tomatoes, crushed
1 cup fresh basil leaves

Steps:

  • In a saucepan over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and heat. Add the onions and garlic to the pan, cooking until the onions have softened. Next, add the carrots, stir, and then add the wine to deglaze. Next, reduce the heat to medium and add the thyme, cooking for an additional 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes and juices, bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Finally, add the basil and continue to cook over low heat, 20 to 30 minutes. Taste to season and remove from the heat.

CHUNKY MARINARA SAUCE



Chunky Marinara Sauce image

You'll love this Marinara sauce! This is great with fried eggplant or meatballs. I'm sure you could add ground meat if you wanted to make a meat sauce.

Provided by CALEIGHSMOM

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes     Pasta Sauce Recipes     Tomato     Marinara

Time 35m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 (14.5 ounce) can peeled and diced tomatoes
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 teaspoon white sugar
½ teaspoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and cook 2 to 4 minutes until crisp-tender, stirring frequently.
  • Mix in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, sugar, oregano and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer 15 to 20 minutes or until flavors are blended, stirring frequently.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 54.3 calories, Carbohydrate 6.9 g, Fat 2.4 g, Fiber 1.4 g, Protein 1.3 g, SaturatedFat 0.3 g, Sodium 442.7 mg, Sugar 4.7 g

SIMPLE MARINARA SAUCE



Simple Marinara Sauce image

This is a simple marinara sauce, good over any pasta or on lasagna.

Provided by EIORE

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes     Pasta Sauce Recipes     Tomato     Marinara

Time 50m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (28 ounce) can tomato puree
2 ½ tablespoons dried oregano
2 ½ tablespoons dried parsley
¼ cup grated Romano cheese
⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon onion powder

Steps:

  • Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Saute garlic until aromatic and tender. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato puree, oregano, parsley, Romano cheese, Parmesan cheese, bay leaves and onion powder. Reduce heat to low and simmer for at least 40 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 135.4 calories, Carbohydrate 18 g, Cholesterol 6.8 mg, Fat 6 g, Fiber 4.5 g, Protein 6 g, SaturatedFat 1.8 g, Sodium 618.5 mg, Sugar 5 g

HOMEMADE ITALIAN RED GRAVY



Homemade Italian Red Gravy image

A tradition homemade red gravy should be made with meat, specifically pork and veal. I use pork and veal neck bones for added flavor. Instead of sugar and water, I use a little more tomato paste than usual plus Chianti and minced onion. Fresh herbs are vital to the outcome of the flavor, so throw away any of your dried herbs, they're crap. I also use grated cheese, it's a nice touch, especially if you're using the sauce for pasta. (Note: The amount of meatballs depends on how much meat you use and how big you make them. I use a little over a pound of meat and that usually translates to 8-16 meatballs.) VARIATION: Instead of frying neck bones, and if you have more time on your hands, you can braise a couple of good pork and veal shanks in red wine and let them soak in the sauce.

Provided by brru25

Categories     Sauces

Time 4h20m

Yield 20-25 cups, 40-50 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 18

12 uncooked meatballs, Italian Meatballs
5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 medium vidalia onion, minced
1 pork neck bones
1 veal neck bones
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
1 (28 ounce) can tomato puree
1 (18 ounce) can tomato paste
1 cup chianti wine
1 cup vegetable broth
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
1 teaspoon fresh parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped
2 fresh bay leaves
2 teaspoons sea salt
2 teaspoons fresh ground black pepper
1/2 cup parmigiano-reggiano cheese, grated

Steps:

  • Cook meatballs in 2 tbsp olive oil, set them aside, keep leftover oil.
  • Add remaining olive oil to left over oil from meatballs.
  • Sautee onion for 5 minutes on medium heat.
  • Add pork and veal neck bones, continue cooking for 3 minutes.
  • Add garlic and continue cooking for 2 minutes.
  • Stir in cans of tomatoes one at a time, wine, herbs, salt and pepper.
  • Cook on medium-high until the sauce boils, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 2 hours, stirring frequently.
  • Add cheese and meatballs and continue simmering for another 2 hours, stirring frequently.
  • Remove and discard neck bones and bay leaves.
  • Adjust seasoning to taste.

BASIC MARINARA



Basic Marinara image

For great results, finish cooking pasta in the sauce, adding a little pasta water.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Quick & Easy Recipes

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 5

1/4 cup olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium yellow onion, diced small
Salt and pepper
1 can (28 ounces) whole peeled tomatoes, pureed

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan, heat oil and garlic over medium until fragrant. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is very soft, 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add tomatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce to a rapid simmer and cook until slightly thickened, 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with 3/4 pound cooked pasta.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 179 g, Fat 14 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 2 g, SaturatedFat 2 g

MARINARA



Marinara image

My mother, who was Italian American, called marinara sauce "gravy." She made this marinara sauce recipe in big batches several times a month, so it was a staple on our dinner table. A mouthwatering aroma filled the house each time she cooked it. -James Grimes, Frenchtown, New Jersey

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h20m

Yield 5 cups

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 cans (28 ounces each) whole tomatoes
1 large onion, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1-1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onions; cook and stir until tender, 3-5 minutes. Add garlic; cook and stir 1 minute longer. Stir in remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until thickened and flavors are blended, 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally and breaking up tomatoes with wooden spoon.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 44 calories, Fat 4g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 178mg sodium, Carbohydrate 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 0 protein.

WORLD'S BEST MARINARA



World's Best Marinara image

The only marinara you'll ever need! Serve with your favorite pasta.

Provided by SunnyDaysNora

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes     Pasta Sauce Recipes     Tomato     Marinara

Time 55m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 sweet onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 (8 ounce) package fresh mushrooms, chopped
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, torn
2 tablespoons oregano
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
½ teaspoon dried sage
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
½ teaspoon salt
ground black pepper to taste
1 (28 ounce) can tomato sauce

Steps:

  • Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat; cook and stir onion and garlic until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add mushrooms, red bell pepper, and parsley; cook and stir until mushrooms are slightly softened, about 2 minutes. Add oregano, sugar, basil, rosemary, sage, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper; stir to combine, 2 minutes.
  • Stir tomato sauce into seasoned onion-mushroom mixture; cook over low heat until flavors have combined, 30 minutes.
  • Transfer half the sauce to a blender; blend until smooth. Return to saucepan with the remaining sauce; stir to combine.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 75.1 calories, Carbohydrate 13 g, Fat 2.2 g, Fiber 2.7 g, Protein 2.9 g, SaturatedFat 0.3 g, Sodium 666.2 mg, Sugar 8.8 g

Tips:

  • Use ripe, fresh tomatoes: The quality of your tomatoes will make a big difference in the taste of your sauce. Choose ripe, juicy tomatoes that are free of blemishes.
  • Sauté your onions and garlic: Sautéing your onions and garlic in olive oil will help to release their flavor and create a flavorful base for your sauce.
  • Add some herbs and spices: A few well-chosen herbs and spices can really elevate the flavor of your sauce. Try adding some basil, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. If you like a little heat, you can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
  • Simmer your sauce for at least 30 minutes: Simmering your sauce allows the flavors to meld and develop. The longer you simmer it, the better it will taste. Aim to simmer your sauce for at least 30 minutes, but you can simmer it for longer if you have time.
  • Taste your sauce and adjust the seasonings as needed: Before you serve your sauce, taste it and adjust the seasonings as needed. Add more salt, pepper, or herbs as desired.

Conclusion:

This basic red gravy marinara is a delicious and versatile sauce that can be used on a variety of dishes. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. Whether you are serving it over pasta, chicken, or vegetables, this sauce is sure to be a hit.

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