Pasta Marinara Recipe
Marinara sauce tossed with pasta & your choice of protein
Was this page helpful?
Help improve this recipe for others.
Send this recipe to your inbox.
We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.
Ingredients
Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Pasta
Marinara Sauce
Protein (optional)
Garnish
Method
Cooking Pasta
- 1
Boil Water
In a large pot, bring 4-6 quarts of water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt to the water.
- 2
Cook Pasta
Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally.
- 3
Drain Pasta
Once cooked, reserve about 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta in a colander and set aside.
Making Marinara Sauce
- 4
Sauté Garlic
In a large skillet over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Once hot, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- 5
Add Tomatoes and Seasonings
Pour in the canned crushed tomatoes, and stir in the dried oregano, dried basil, sugar, and salt and pepper to taste. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
- 6
Simmer the Sauce
Allow the sauce to simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. If the sauce gets too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
Cooking Protein (optional)
- 7
Cook Protein
If using ground beef or turkey, cook in a separate skillet over medium heat until browned, about 7-10 minutes. Drain excess fat. For chicken or tofu, simply prepare them as desired (shredded or cubed).
Combining and Serving
- 8
Combine Pasta and Sauce
Add the drained pasta to the marinara sauce in the skillet. If using protein, add it now as well. Toss to combine and coat evenly.
- 9
Garnish and Serve
Top with chopped fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese. Serve hot and enjoy!
