One of my favorite places to go for date nights is Olive Garden. Bring on the soup, salad and breadsticks please! Oh and the gorgeous pasta! HELLO YUM!
Today we are sharing a copycat Olive Garden Marinara Sauce Recipe. Some days you want the flavors of your favorite restaurant without having to get dressed and do your hair.
There is just something so nice about sitting in your yoga/pj pants and enjoying your favorite meal at home. Plus this way you can catch up on the Bachelorette or whichever tv show is your favorite.
I may or may not be a closet Bachelorette watcher and enjoy curling up on the couch watching it each week when we are home. There is just something about those rose ceremonies and the drama that draws me in. I know I can't be the only one...
Note this recipe makes about 3-4 jars of sauce and it freezes great so whip up a batch and save some it for a night you have no time to cook.
Ingredients
Crushed Tomatoes (either regular or with basil, oregano and garlic) OR fresh tomatoes
Cloves of garlic
Dried basil
Black pepper
Sugar (optional) โ this takes out the bitterness from the acidity of the tomatoes and makes it a little sweet
Extra Virgin Olive oil
Grated Parmesan or Romano Cheese
Minced Green Peppers (optional)
Optional additions - Italian Seasoning Blend, Red Pepper, salt and pepper, fresh herbs
Directions
Heat the olive oil in a 5+ qt. pot over medium heat, and add the chopped or pressed garlic.
Heat for one to two minutes, making sure not to burn the garlic, then add all the tomatoes, black pepper, basil and sugar. Stirring often, bring to a low boil.
Reduce heat to low and simmer
For the first half of the simmer time, do so with the pot uncovered, then cover.
Add the cheese, stir in and simmer
Recipe Tips
Nutrition information, including calories, protein, calcium, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, vitamin c, potassium, cholesterol, sodium, trans fat, monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, and more, will vary depending on the products used.
84ozCrushed Tomatoeseither regular or with basil, oregano and garlic 28 oz. sized cans OR 12-15 fresh tomatoes (peeled, chopped and blended in a food processor)
Heat the olive oil in a 5+ qt. pot over medium heat, and add the chopped or pressed garlic.
Heat for one to two minutes, making sure not to burn the garlic, then add all the tomatoes, black pepper, basil and sugar. Stirring often, bring to a low boil.
Reduce heat to low and simmer for 2-3 hours stirring often.
For the first half of the simmer time, do so with the pot uncovered, then cover.
Add the cheese, stir in and simmer for an additional 5 minutes or so.
Lifestyle blogger who travels the world and drinks too much Chai tea. Travel blogger, award winning photographer, sunset hunter, Birkenstock girl, bird nerd
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Reader Interactions
Comments
MaryAnn
Made it last night, and pronounce it excellent! Lots of basil..good canned tomatoes, and the cheese puts it over the top. I know Italian cooks save the crust of their Parm/Reg cheese to throw in, but never tried it. Now, it's mine forever.
Doesn't hurt to add an inch of anchovies paste..from the tube, of course. And capers, I just learned how to FRY them before adding! Who knew?
Thanks for this, so much!
MaryAnn, I am so happy you enjoyed the recipe! I love your suggestions for add ins to boost the flavor even more! Thank you so much for sharing with me your joy over the recipe. That means a lot!
MaryAnn
Made it last night, and pronounce it excellent! Lots of basil..good canned tomatoes, and the cheese puts it over the top. I know Italian cooks save the crust of their Parm/Reg cheese to throw in, but never tried it. Now, it's mine forever.
Doesn't hurt to add an inch of anchovies paste..from the tube, of course. And capers, I just learned how to FRY them before adding! Who knew?
Thanks for this, so much!
Tammilee
MaryAnn, I am so happy you enjoyed the recipe! I love your suggestions for add ins to boost the flavor even more! Thank you so much for sharing with me your joy over the recipe. That means a lot!
valmg
I don't think I've actually had their Marinara yet but I do like marinara. This would be great for dipping the bread sticks in!
Jen
I love good copycat recipes. Perfect for when you want a certain something but don't want to go out. This looks really good.
Kerri
I bet this would be a tasty treat to have at home. I want to try it next time I make sauce!