Nettuno, Italy where I spent some time in the early 90’s. It’s an hour from Rome.
Many years ago (early 90’s), I had the pleasure of spending some time in Italy (sort of long story that I won’t go into now). And, I got to eat with the locals & learn a little bit about how they cook & do things over there. In my mind, I had always thought that the spaghetti sauce that they make must take hours to make (after all, that’s how most “real” Italian cooks did it over here, or so I thought). I was very surprised to learn that they use very simple ingredients & it only simmers for 30 min. or so & then they serve it over fresh pasta. I watched & learned from some of those local ladies & brought home my own recipe for fresh pasta sauce. It does help that my mama cans her tomatoes out of their garden too, so she keeps me stocked up on the most flavorful canned tomatoes. I just brought home a new box after our last visit, so I’m good to go. 
Our very first tomato from our little backyard garden. I think I picked it too early, cause it wasn’t quite juicy enough yet. We are going to let them sit on the vine now until they are good and ripe. 
My mama’s canned tomatoes. What would I do without these? I use them in my pasta sauce, chili, & anything that calls for chopped tomatoes. They are SO good! “Rhoda red sauce” So, I thought I’d share with you this simple, fresh marinara sauce that is served at our house at least once a week. A fresh green salad & bread if you’d like, and it’s a meal….a very delicious meal! You can add anything to this too…I sometimes add black olives or mushrooms. I don’t care for meat sauce & like to keep it simple.Rhoda’s Marinara Sauce
1 large can of chopped/diced tomatoes (32 oz. from the store?) you know the large ones or crushed tom. works too
1 can tomato paste
2-3 TBL EV olive oil
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1 TBL dried basil (Add chopped fresh basil leaves too if you have them)
1 TSP dried oregano
1/4 TSP dried red pepper flakes (to taste)
Salt & Pepper to taste
In saucepan, drizzle olive oil in bottom & heat to medium, press garlic or mince & saute in olive oil for couple of minutes. Add large can tomatoes, along with the tomato paste. Add rest of ingredients, bring to a boil, then lower & simmer for 30 minutes. Serve over fresh pasta. I use thin spaghetti or penne pasta most of the time. Of course, freshly grated Parmesan is best, but I’m not opposed to canned. Enjoy!
I think you’ll like this! I never have complaints when I’ve served this pasta sauce & once you make your own, you’ll never do canned again. Beats the heck out of Prego or Ragu. Those are so sweet to me now.
Buon Appetito, Ya’ll!
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Hello Rhoda! Can I say YuMMO! Thank you for sharing this recipe. I have been searching for a good homemade pasta sauce….Hubby “HATES” store bought sauce. I just know he is going to love this. 🙂 Can’t wait to make it. Thanks agaiN!!
Happy Cooking! Nicole from Cedar Creek Texas
That sounds delish! I’m putting it on my shopping list for next week. I love your new background. I need to do some “maintenance” myself.
Mmmmmm . . . yummy. And what gorgeous photos Rhoda. My DIL is Italian and makes delicious sauces. I especially love her lasagna.
That does sound yummy, Rhoda! I know what you mean about Ragu or Prego, tasting too sweet! I much prefer, from scratch sauce!
That jar of tomatoes, took me back to my canning days! I really enjoyed canning.
Are ya gonna have a ‘mater samich, with those fresh tomatoes?;-)
I love the leopard print!
Pat
Back Porch Musings
That’s my delete. I remember hitting publish once, but it came up twice!!
Pat
Gonna have spaghetti for supper now!
…love the new look too.
I’m ready for lunch, and that looks delicious!
You already have red tomatoes! Mine are just teeny and green. All your recipes are delish and I will definately try this one!
Manuela
Hi Rhoda,
That is so close to my own recipe.
I am Italian. I think it depends on what part of Italy you are from.
My mom cooks the sauce all day as my grandmother did. I prefer the quicker method like you.
I add meat to mine sometimes.
Rosemary
I grew up in the backwoods of Florida between the orange groves, strawberry fields and tomato farms. We always had a seemingly endless supply of mom’s home canned tomatoes. Delicious 🙂
Home canned tomatoes, I am so GREEN with envy! We grow our own tomatoes but I never seem to have the time or the inclination to can.
I’m going to try that sauce for sure, but I am guilty of liking Ragu.
Love that leopard print…last night it was a black-whiteprint, and tomorrow Missy…what will it be!??!! Have fun changing it. I love to see what you come up with.
Yummy! I admit I do use store-bought spaghetti sauce as a base, but I doctor it up so much it tastes like homemade! I’ll have to try your recipe someday.
Oh Rhoda there is just no need for you to put those pictures on your blog for ALL to see!! Good night a livin!! I want to twirl my fork in that pasta so bad!! I declare I believe I can smell it….or maybe its the bacon I smell to go with that BLT…you know the one I want to stick that fresh tomatoe on!!! Good NIGHT!! Someone please get my draw string pants! YUMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!! PS I’m on my last 5 jars of tomatoes. I’m gettin a little scared I might run out before the new ones are ready! I had some on my grits tonight for supper!! YES!
Yum! I’ve always wanted to try homemade recipe, and yours sounds wonderful and not too complicated. You were sweet to share it, too.
I’d love to hear about Italy sometime.
I wish I could see your new background…it sounds great!
xoxo,
Andrea
I love marinara sauce the most. I’d rather not have the meat either. Your sauce is a little different from mine so I’ll have to try it. I looooove fresh basil!
I sure wish someone canned tomatoes for me. You lucky girl!
Your background looks very cool!
Hi Rhoda,
Your recipe is very much like mine, my Mum is Italian. We add pepperoni & red onion to the garlic & olive oil….no red pepper flakes. Then we add the toms. etc. My grandmother & grandfather used to have a garden and put up their own jarred tomatoes. I sure miss those days !!
Mangia Mangia
Kathy =)
Oh Italy…*sigh* and we are big pasta eaters here. I have copied your red sauce to try and it does sound so good. Thank you for sharing!
Love your backgrounds! Fun! I still have not figured out how to do that…yours looks great!
Hugs,
Sue
I’m LMBO @ Tina Leigh’s comment…she’s right, your pictures make my mouth water for tomatoes! Thanks for sharing your sauce recipe…I’m anxious to try it!
I’m assuming you use the small can of tomato paste?
Looks a lot like how I make my sauce but I have never added paste. I bet that deepens the flavor! Yum Yum Yum!
Mmmm. That looks delicious! Italy is fabulous isn’t it? We took the boys over and travelled by car from Piscara to Rome and it is gorgeous and the food is so good. Thanks for sharing your recipie ~ can’t wait to try it out.
Love the new background as well ~ very animalistic!