I was having an “I should have been Italian” moment last week…

I made this gigantic meal of Prosciutto and Fontina Chicken, Garlicky Sauteed Spinach, and this delicious pasta (all on the same night).

…and then I realized it was just me and the hubs for dinner. 

Ya, to say “I had leftovers for days” would be an understatement! hah

I stopped buying store-bought spaghetti & marinara sauce years ago when I learned how SIMPLE it was to make my own. The beautiful thing about this sauce is you can serve it simply as is, OR you can use it as a base and to add all sorts of wonderful things to: a little basil, a splash of red wine, some mushrooms? Perhaps some cream or olives or other veggies? Got a bunch of meat eaters in your life?? Add something like Italian sausage or ground turkey!  The possiblities are endless.

Seem like way to much pasta for your small family? Cook only half of the spaghetti and set aside half of the sauce to freeze for a later use. 2 meals out of one! Jack. Pot. 

Anyhow, this pasta is simple, fresh, and tasty as all get out! 

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Simple Pasta Marinara

Yield: 6-8 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

The sauce can double as a basic marinara sauce for pizza, chicken/eggplant parmesan, cheese sticks etc... DELICIOUS.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 of a small onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, grated
28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
14.2 ounce can diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon oregano

1 pound whole wheat thin spaghetti (or other pasta)
freshly grated parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
freshly chopped basil, for serving (optional)
crushed red pepper flakes, for serving (optional)

Directions:

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium high heat. Add the onions and saute for 3-5 minutes until softened. Add the garlic saute (stirring constantly) until fragrant (1-2 more minutes).

Add the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, salt, sugar, and oregano and stir to combine well. Bring to a low boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for at least 30 minutes (or until ready to use).

Boil pasta according to package instructions, drain, and then place into sauce and toss to combine. Top with a heafty amount of freshly grated parmesan cheese, freshly chopped basil, and/or crushed red pepper flakes.