
Classic Marinara Spaghetti
Slow-simmered San Marzano tomato sauce with garlic, basil, and olive oil. The mother sauce of Italian cooking.
Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
25 min
Servings
4
Calories
350
Ingredients
- 400 g pasta (your choice of shape)
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (796ml) San Marzano crushed tomatoes
- 0.25 cup fresh basil leaves
- 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
- 1
Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- 2
Prepare the Base
While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- 3
Build the Sauce
Add the main sauce ingredients to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until the flavours meld together, about 3-5 minutes.
- 4
Combine
Add the drained pasta to the sauce and toss vigorously, adding pasta water as needed to achieve a silky consistency that coats every strand.
- 5
Serve
Plate immediately and garnish with fresh herbs and freshly grated cheese. Serve hot with crusty bread on the side.
Chef's Notes
βI add a pinch of sugar to tomato sauce only if the tomatoes taste acidic. Good San Marzanos shouldn't need it.β
β Chef Luca Bianchi
Nutrition Facts
350
cal
20g
Protein
12g
Fat
63g
Carbs
4g
Fiber
424mg
Sodium
Tips & Tricks
- β’Always salt your pasta water generously β it should taste like the sea.
- β’Reserve a cup of starchy pasta water before draining. It's liquid gold for emulsifying sauces.
- β’Cook pasta 1 minute less than the package says if finishing it in the sauce.
Reviews (3)
Made this last night and my family loved it! The sauce was perfect and so easy to make. Will definitely be adding this to our regular rotation.
This recipe is a keeper. Great balance of flavours and the cooking times are spot on. My new favourite pasta dish.
So glad I found this recipe. The instructions are clear and the result is consistently great. I've made it four times already.
Chef Luca Bianchi
Head Chef & Recipe Developer
Red Seal Certified Chef


