Homemade Spaghetti Sauce (Marinara & Vodka)

Recipe

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

(Marinara & Vodka)

(14 – ½ cup servings)

Ingredients:

2 tsp. Olive Oil (EVOO)

2 large cloves Garlic, minced or pressed

1 medium Yellow Onion, small diced

2 28 oz. cans Crushed Tomatoes

1 6 oz. can Tomato Paste

2 Bay Leaves

¼ cup Dry Parsley

1 tbsp. Dry Oregano

1 tbsp. Dry Basil

½ tsp. Crushed Rosemary

2 tbsp. Brown Sugar

2 tsp. Chili Powder

1 tsp. Salt

½ tsp. Black Pepper

¾ cup Red Wine (1 small bottle from a 4-pack)

Directions:

Add olive oil to a 3 to 5 quart sauce pan over medium heat.  When oil is ready, add the onion and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes.  Now add the garlic and continue another 2 minutes.  The ingredients from crushed tomatoes through black pepper can be mixed in and stirred until well combined.  Heat the mixture until it comes to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low and continue for 15 minutes.  Stir in the wine, turn heat to simmer and cook an additional 45 minutes.  Remember to stir the mixture from time to time.  Taste and adjust seasoning if needed and serve over cooked warm pasta.  If it is too thick for you, thin with a little tomato juice, water or some more red wine.  Just remember to taste and adjust flavor if needed.

Note:   If you use fresh herbs (parsley, oregano, basil and rosemary) be sure to double the amount.

Note:   If you don’t like using wine in your cooking, it can be replaced with water or tomato juice.  You may need to adjust some seasonings because of this change.

Note:   You can make this recipe in a slow cooker.  Just mix all the ingredients together in the slow cooker and heat on low for 7 to 9 hours.

Note:   This recipe can be doubled or halved.  It also freezes well for future

               use.

Note:   Just add ground beef or Italian sausage if you want to make this
               marinara into a meat sauce.

Note:   I use this recipe as the base for my “Vodka Sauce.”  To the base recipe I add ½ cup of vodka, 1 cup heavy cream and ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese.  I continue heating the sauce for another 30 minutes.  Taste and adjust seasonings before serving.  You will get about 16 – ½ cup portions from this recipe.  If it is too thick for you, thin with a little tomato juice, water or some more red wine.  Just remember to taste and adjust flavor if needed.

Ideas for Future Efforts

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