Easy Marinara Sauce

By barbsjustagirl

This is a sauce I make a double batch of and freeze in freezer bags in the freezer for a quick sauce night! I used this sauce over my Zoodles (zucchini noodles) and it was excellent with sauteed shrimp.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 carrot, diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• Pinch of fennel seed
• 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 2-28 oz. cans diced crushed tomatoes
• 1/4 teaspoon sugar
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/3 cup freshly chopped basil

Details

Servings 4
Preparation time 10mins
Cooking time 50mins
Adapted from twopeasandtheirpod.com

Preparation

Step 1

1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over a medium-high heat. Add the onions and garlic and saute until the onions are translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the carrots and celery. Saute until the vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes. Add in the fennel seed, crushed red pepper, and bay leaf.

2. Stir in the tomatoes. Add the sugar, salt and pepper, and basil. Simmer uncovered for about 30 minutes. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Taste the sauce and season with more salt and pepper, if necessary.

Note-I like to make big batches of this sauce and freeze it. You can also can this sauce. Serve with pasta, lasagna, polenta, chicken or eggplant parmesan, etc.