Instant Creamy Marinara Sauce (Printable)

Velvety tomato sauce made quickly with pantry staples, perfect for pasta or pizza.

# What You'll Need:

→ Sauce Base

01 - 2 cups tomato sauce, plain and unsalted if possible

→ Dairy

02 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

→ Seasoning

03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - ½ teaspoon salt, adjust to taste
05 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Optional Additions

06 - 1 tablespoon heavy cream for extra creaminess
07 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs, such as basil and oregano

# How to Make It:

01 - In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine tomato sauce, butter, and garlic powder.
02 - Stir continuously until butter melts and sauce starts to simmer, approximately 5 minutes.
03 - Incorporate salt and black pepper, stirring well to blend flavors.
04 - If desired, mix in heavy cream and dried Italian herbs for a richer profile.
05 - Simmer the sauce for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally for uniform consistency.
06 - Adjust seasoning if necessary and serve hot over pasta, as a dipping sauce, or pizza base.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Its ready in ten minutes flat using things already in your pantry
  • The butter transforms ordinary canned sauce into something restaurant worthy
  • You can customize it endlessly with whatever you have on hand
02 -
  • The sauce thickens as it cools so do not worry if it looks slightly thin in the pan
  • Quality tomato sauce matters more than anything else here so buy the best brand you can afford
  • This recipe doubles beautifully but you might need a bigger pot
03 -
  • Room temperature butter melts faster and incorporates more smoothly
  • Stir with a wooden spoon to avoid scratching your saucepan
  • Make a double batch and freeze half for another night
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