Nitrate & Nitrite Free Tomato Sauce (Marinara)
A great marinara is one of those recipes that proves simple ingredients, treated well, can outshine almost anything. Garlic slowly coaxed in olive oil until pale golden and fragrant, hand-crushed San Marzano tomatoes, a pinch of red pepper flakes, and fresh torn basil — that's really all it takes to build something deeply satisfying. For anyone avoiding processed meats and cured products that commonly sneak nitrates and nitrites into weeknight dinners, this sauce is a clean, wholesome anchor for pasta night. Every ingredient here is exactly what it says it is: no cured additions, no mystery preservatives, just real pantry staples. The 20-minute simmer transforms the tomatoes from bright and sharp to a deeper, brick-red richness that coats pasta beautifully. A finishing drizzle of olive oil and those basil leaves stirred in at the end give it that restaurant-quality lift without any extra effort. Keep a batch on hand and you've got a reliable, fuss-free base for everything from spaghetti to homemade pizza.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 can (28 oz) whole peeled san marzano tomatoes
- ½ tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
- ½ tsp granulated sugar (optional)
- 6 fresh basil leaves, torn
For finishing
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, for finishing
Instructions
- 1
Pour the tomatoes and their juices into a large bowl and crush them by hand until broken into rough, uneven pieces — some chunks are fine.
- 2
Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the sliced garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring occasionally, until the garlic is pale golden and fragrant, about 3–4 minutes. Watch closely, as the garlic can brown quickly.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!