This recipe for marinara sauce is one that my son always tells my husband that he should bottle it and market it. I have to admit, it is always in our weekly rotation because it is so delicious and so versatile. My husband grew up with family friends that owned an Italian restaurant. The owner was Piero, and Piero would invite my husband to the kitchen to learn his Italian recipes. Piero also would come and cook at their home on occasion and so his influence was a gift to our future selves. :) This sauce is meatless and then we add the meat that we prefer~ this makes it a staple in a variety of our recipes. In this post, I am going to share my husband's recipe for Marinara Sauce with Pasta and Meatballs. As a follow-up, I will show you how to use the marinara sauce to make another of our favorites, Penne Trovatore, in my next recipe post. These recipes work well for a dinner party theme of That's Amore or any other Italian-themed night! It also is fabulous for week night meals.
Marinara Sauce
3 TBSP Olive oil
1 small sweet onion
3 cloves garlic
1/2 cup white wine
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil ((add more if you like))
2 tsp salt ((add another teaspoon of salt if you like it saltier))
2 14 oz. cans petite diced tomatoes
26.46 oz. carton finely diced tomatoes ((Pomi Brand is our favorite))
Cook onion for a few minutes in olive oil.
Add garlic and continue to saute' until garlic is barely turning golden.
Add wine and cook until reduced about half in volume.
Add all other ingredients and cook on low while stirring occasionally for about 10 or 15 min.
Serve with spaghetti, ravioli, manicotti, lasagna, trovatore, etc.
Fabulous Homemade Italian Meatballs
1 - 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
10- 15 large, fresh basil leaves (finely chopped)
3 eggs
1 tsp salt
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 small sweet onion (finely diced)
3 cloves garlic (finely diced)
Except the ground beef, thoroughly mix all of the ingredients together.
Next, add the ground beef and thoroughly mix again.
Shape mixture into meatballs
Place in cast iron skillet and cook over medium-low heat until cooked. Turn meatballs every few minutes while cooking.
Serve with pasta and marinara sauce.
Enjoy!
We really hope you enjoy our family recipe! Let me know if if becomes one of your family's favorites, too! It is so good on so many Italian dishes!!
Cheers,
Lydia xo
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