Paraben Free Classic Marinara Sauce

There is something deeply satisfying about a marinara sauce made entirely from scratch with ingredients you can actually recognize. Parabens are synthetic preservatives that sneak into a surprising number of jarred and processed foods, so making your own sauce from whole, simple ingredients is one of the easiest ways to sidestep them entirely. This recipe keeps things beautifully clean — extra-virgin olive oil, fresh garlic, San Marzano tomatoes, a pinch of salt, and torn basil are all you need to build something genuinely delicious. The technique is low-fuss but intentional: slowly blooming the garlic and red pepper flakes in olive oil before the tomatoes go in creates a depth of flavor that no store-bought jar can replicate. Crushing the whole tomatoes directly in the pan gives the sauce a rustic, uneven texture that clings perfectly to pasta. A short simmer brings everything together into a sauce that's rich but still bright, finished with fresh basil for that unmistakable garden-fresh lift. It's the kind of recipe you'll come back to every week once you realize how easy it is.

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