Marinara is such a versatile sauce. There are so many variations that use this delicious tomato sauce base. The classic sauce is really simple, just tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, basil, salt, and pepper. From there you can go in just about any direction—classic, vegetarian, full carnivore, smooth, chunky…the sky’s the limit! To me there’s nothing better than using all kinds of fresh vegetables and either turkey or hamburger to make my marinara sauce really hearty. What goes in on any particular day depends on what I have in my garden–bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, zucchini, basil, and oregano—or what sounds good to me that day. If I don’t have all of the fresh veggies on hand, off to the store, I go! I usually like to add fresh sliced mushrooms, along with a tomato paste, and a bit of wine. One thing to remember is that you don’t always have to use fresh tomatoes. I usually use canned San Marzano tomatoes, but any good quality, canned or fresh tomatoes will work.
Once I’ve gathered everything I want for that day’s sauce, I chop it all up and throw it in a big pot (go big or go home right?). Then, just let it cook on the stove for hours. It’s so savory and amazing. I tend to make a big batch and freeze the extra amount I don’t need that night in quart-sized containers for future dinners. Meal prep can be a savior on those days that you run out of time to breathe, let alone cook dinner!
However, we all know life gets hectic, either taking kids to different after-school activities, running errands, or just something comes up. If you have a quart of delicious sauce tucked away in your freezer, that’s the perfect time to pull it out, but you know there are many times that you reach for something only to discover that you’re all out! Not to panic! I have the perfect solution for a quick marinara that tastes like it’s been cooked for hours, but it only takes about thirty minutes to prepare. Start off with whatever veggies and herbs you have available, then add meat, a jar of store-bought marinara sauce, and wine. Then, let it simmer for 30 minutes. Even after that short amount of time, it tastes like you’ve been cooking it all day! It’s just a little quicker and easier. So, the next time you’re in a hurry, try this recipe. Enjoy!
