Instant Creamy Marinara Hack (Printable)

Velvety tomato sauce crafted swiftly with simple staples for versatile use in meals.

# Ingredient List:

→ Sauce Base

01 - 2 cups tomato sauce, plain and unsalted if available

→ Dairy

02 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

→ Seasoning

03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - ½ teaspoon salt, adjust to taste
05 - ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Optional Additions

06 - 1 tablespoon heavy cream
07 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (basil, oregano)

# Steps:

01 - In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine tomato sauce, butter, and garlic powder.
02 - Stir continuously until butter fully melts and sauce begins to simmer, approximately 5 minutes.
03 - Incorporate salt and black pepper, stirring thoroughly to blend flavors.
04 - Optionally, stir in heavy cream and dried Italian herbs for enhanced richness and aroma.
05 - Allow sauce to simmer an additional 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
06 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, then serve hot over pasta, as a dip, or on pizza.

# Tips from the Pros:

01 -
  • Ready in 10 minutes with pantry ingredients you probably already have.
  • Tastes like you spent an hour stirring a pot, but you didn't.
  • Works as pasta sauce, pizza base, dipping sauce, or soup starter depending on your mood.
02 -
  • Salt matters more than you'd think—taste as you go because underseasonedness makes even great sauce taste flat and forgettable.
  • The sauce thickens slightly as it sits, so if you're making it ahead, thin it with a splash of pasta water or cream when you reheat.
03 -
  • San Marzano or fire-roasted tomato sauce adds noticeably deeper flavor without extra time—worth seeking out if you have access.
  • Stir occasionally instead of constantly; letting it sit for 30 seconds between stirs helps flavors meld without overworking the sauce.
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