Classic Marinara Sauce - Oil Free - from the Nutmeg Notebook Kitchen

canned tomatoes

🥗Healthier: fresh tomatoes

💰Cheaper: crushed tomatoes

Fresh tomatoes can enhance flavor, while crushed tomatoes are often less expensive.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Avocado oil offers a similar flavor, while canola oil is typically less expensive.

Heat a pot over medium heat and add a little bit of water.

Add 3 cloves of finely minced garlic to the pot and sauté briefly to remove the raw flavor, adding more water as needed to prevent burning.

Add 2 cans of Italian crushed tomatoes (28.2 ounces each) to the pot.

Stir in 3 tablespoons of tomato paste and 2 tablespoons of date paste for sweetness.

Add 3 tablespoons of nutritional yeast, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1 tablespoon of dried basil, and a pinch of red pepper flakes; stir well to combine.

Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

After 30 minutes, taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as needed, such as substituting fresh herbs if preferred.

Serve the marinara sauce over zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary