Turmeric Free Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce
Classic Italian-American comfort food doesn't get much more satisfying than a bowl of spaghetti in a rich, slow-simmered tomato sauce — and this version is completely free of turmeric in every single component. San Marzano tomatoes are the real star here, crushed by hand and cooked down with golden garlic and a pinch of red pepper flakes until the sauce thickens beautifully and the olive oil rises to the surface. That slow simmer is what separates a truly great marinara from a flat, rushed one, and the technique here is simple enough for a weeknight but impressive enough to serve to guests. Finishing the pasta directly in the sauce — with a splash of starchy cooking water — helps everything cling together in that glossy, restaurant-style way. Torn fresh basil and a drizzle of good olive oil at the end keep the flavors bright without any added spices to second-guess. A shower of freshly grated Parmesan on top is optional, but honestly, it's hard to skip. This is the kind of bowl that makes you want to tear off a piece of bread and get every last drop.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the pasta
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1 tbsp kosher salt
For the sauce
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 5 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 can (28 oz) whole peeled san marzano tomatoes
- ½ tsp sugar
- salt and pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, torn
For serving
- 1–2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, for finishing
- parmesan cheese, freshly grated (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the kosher salt, then the spaghetti, and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente — tender with a slight resistance at the center, about 1–2 minutes less than the package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining. Drain the spaghetti through a colander and set aside.
- 2
While the pasta water heats, pour the canned tomatoes into a large bowl and crush them by hand, breaking them into rough, uneven pieces. Set aside.
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