Description
A classic and simple Spaghetti Marinara recipe featuring al dente spaghetti tossed in a flavorful garlic and crushed tomato sauce infused with fresh basil and olive oil. This quick and easy Italian favorite is perfect for a weeknight dinner or whenever you crave a comforting pasta dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz spaghetti
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside, reserving a small cup of pasta water.
- Sauté garlic: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden, being careful not to burn it.
- Simmer the sauce: Pour in the crushed tomatoes into the skillet with garlic. Season with salt and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently on low heat for 10-15 minutes to meld the flavors, stirring occasionally.
- Toss the pasta with sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the marinara sauce. Toss well to combine, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce and coat the pasta evenly.
- Add fresh basil: Stir in the chopped fresh basil just before serving to infuse bright herbal notes.
Notes
- For a richer sauce, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing garlic.
- You can substitute fresh tomatoes if in season; just blanch, peel, and crush them.
- Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese or vegan cheese if desired.
- Leftover marinara sauce can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: spaghetti, marinara sauce, Italian pasta, garlic tomato sauce, basil pasta
