Craving a mouth-watering dipping sauce that'll make your taste buds dance? Look no further! This incredibly easy Marinara Dipping Sauce is about to become your new secret weapon in the kitchen. In just 20 minutes, you'll transform simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy sauce that'll have everyone asking, "Who's the chef?" Whether you're planning a pizza night, preparing appetizers, or just want a delicious condiment, this foolproof recipe is your ticket to culinary success.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- Canned crushed tomatoes
- Garlic
- Olive oil
- Italian seasoning
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients and prepare your cooking equipment, including a medium saucepan, wooden spoon, and measuring spoons.
- Peel and finely mince the garlic cloves, ensuring they are chopped uniformly to distribute flavor evenly throughout the sauce.
- Place the saucepan on the stovetop over medium heat and add the olive oil, allowing it to warm for about 30 seconds.
- Add the minced garlic to the heated olive oil and sauté gently, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Cook until the garlic becomes fragrant and turns a light golden color, approximately 1-2 minutes.
- Pour the canned crushed tomatoes into the saucepan with the garlic, stirring to combine.
- Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, mixing thoroughly to distribute the seasonings throughout the sauce.
- Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Allow the sauce to cook for 12-15 minutes, which will help develop deeper flavors and slightly reduce the liquid.
- Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings if needed, adding more salt, pepper, or Italian seasoning to suit your preference.
- Remove from heat and let the sauce cool slightly for 2-3 minutes before serving warm with your favorite dipping items.
Tips
- Use high-quality canned crushed tomatoes for the best flavor base
- Mince garlic finely and avoid burning for a smooth, rich taste
- Low and slow simmering is key to developing deep, complex flavors
- Taste and adjust seasonings gradually - you can always add more
- For extra richness, consider adding a small pinch of sugar to balance the tomatoes' acidity
- Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days
- For a smoother texture, you can blend the sauce briefly after cooking
- Experiment with fresh herbs like fresh basil or oregano for added freshness
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 93kcal
Carbohydrates: 7g
Protein: g
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
