Marinara Noodles Recipe
Make Marinara Noodles Recipe in just 45m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Marinara Sauce
Noodles & Assembly
Method
Marinara Sauce
- 1
Sauté aromatics
Heat a large sauté pan or medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the olive oil and let it warm until shimmering but not smoking. Add the diced onion and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and translucent, 6–8 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook 30–60 seconds more until fragrant, taking care not to brown the garlic.
- 2
Build the tomato base
Stir in the tomato paste and cook 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly, to caramelize slightly and deepen flavor. Add the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, sugar, red pepper flakes (if using), bay leaf, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Stir to combine.
- 3
Simmer
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Let the sauce simmer, partially covered, stirring occasionally, for 20–30 minutes to meld flavors and thicken slightly. If the sauce becomes too thick, add up to 1/4 cup water or reserved pasta water later to adjust consistency.
- 4
Finish sauce
Remove the bay leaf. Stir in the butter (if using) and torn fresh basil leaves. Taste and adjust seasoning with remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and remaining black pepper as needed. Keep sauce warm over the lowest heat while you cook the pasta.
Noodles & Assembly
- 5
Boil pasta water
Bring 4 liters (about 4 quarts) of water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add 1 tablespoon of salt to the water.
- 6
Cook pasta
Add the dried spaghetti or linguine and cook according to package directions until al dente (typically 8–10 minutes). Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta, leaving it slightly wet — do not rinse.
- 7
Combine pasta and sauce
Add the drained pasta directly to the pan with the warm marinara. Toss over medium-low heat to coat. Add 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water and continue tossing; add more reserved water in 1/4-cup increments if needed to loosen the sauce and help it cling to the noodles. Cook together 1–2 minutes so the pasta absorbs some sauce.
- 8
Finish and serve
Turn off the heat and stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan (reserve remaining for serving) and chopped parsley if using. Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Transfer to serving bowls or a large serving platter, garnish with the remaining Parmesan and an extra drizzle of olive oil or a few torn basil leaves if desired.