How to Make the Perfect Classic Marinara Pasta
Italian · Easy · 35 min · 4 servings
A vibrant and flavorful tomato sauce tossed with spaghetti and finished with fresh basil. This is a foundational Italian recipe that every home cook should master.
Why this recipe works
This Classic Marinara Pasta recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 35 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 450 calories with 14g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 8 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 400 g spaghetti
- 800 g canned whole San Marzano tomatoes
- 4 cloves garlic
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 10 leaves fresh basil
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Saute garlic
Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add thinly sliced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for 2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden. Do not let the garlic burn.
Step 2: Add tomatoes
Pour in the canned tomatoes and crush them by hand as they go into the pan. Add salt and sugar, then stir everything together. Bring to a gentle simmer.
Step 3: Simmer the sauce
Cook the sauce uncovered on medium-low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce should thicken and deepen in color. Adjust seasoning as needed.
Step 4: Cook the pasta
While the sauce simmers, cook spaghetti in a large pot of heavily salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 240ml of pasta water before draining.
Step 5: Combine and serve
Add the drained spaghetti directly to the sauce and toss over medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes. Add pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce. Finish with torn fresh basil and a drizzle of olive oil.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- San Marzano tomatoes → any high quality canned crushed tomatoes
- spaghetti → penne or rigatoni
- fresh basil → dried oregano or fresh parsley
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Burning the garlic gives the entire sauce a bitter and unpleasant flavor
- Not simmering the sauce long enough leaves it watery and lacking depth
- Salting the pasta water too lightly results in bland pasta that does not complement the sauce
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 450 calories, 14g protein, 75g carbs, 10g fat, 6g fiber.
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