Marinara

Marinara (Italian salsa alla marinara — “sailor's sauce”) is a simple, bright Italian tomato sauce of tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and aromatic herbs. It is one of the cornerstones of Italian cuisine, a model of how from a few simple ingredients a deep, rich flavour is born.

Marinara is made quickly, and therein lies its charm: garlic is lightly fried in olive oil, tomatoes (fresh or tinned) are added, along with basil or oregano, a pinch of salt, and sometimes chilli, and it is simmered for quite a short time — until the sauce thickens and the tomatoes give up their flavour, keeping meanwhile a fresh, bright tang. Unlike complex meat ragùs, marinara is a clean, light, “lean” sauce (the name means “sailor's style”, but the stories of sailors inventing the sauce are only folk theories). Its versatility makes it indispensable: marinara is served with pasta and spaghetti, used as a base for pizza, dipped into with bread, and cooked with seafood, vegetables, bakes, and meatballs. It is a simple, fresh, and exceptionally tasty sauce, a true classic of home Italian cooking.