Marinara Sauce

Marinara sauce is one type of pasta sauce that is especially popular. "Marinara sauce" translates into "sailor style sauce" in Italian. Marinara sauce is made from the basic ingredients of tomatoes, olive oil and garlic, with additional special ingredients depending on preference and recipe. Common additional ingredients include vegetables (such as onions, carrots or green peppers), spices, or sweet ingredients (brown sugar or jelly) to help reduce the acidity of the tomatoes. Typically marinara sauce is prepared as a meatless tomato sauce, though adding meatballs is a common variation.
     Below: Marinara is as versatile as any other red sauce, possibly moreso: it's used for spaghetti, seafood pastas, more exotic Italian dishes, pizza. It's commonly made and canned at home, and is made by many food makers for the grocery shelf.

Originally developed in the Mediterranean area, marinara sauce was initially developed in the Naples region of Italy. The Spanish introduced tomatoes to the New World in the 1600s, making tomato sauces popular in non-European countries. Marinara sauce is a common offering on dinner tables around the world today.

There are many different ways to make a homemade marinara sauce, and most families have favorite recipes that have been handed down for generations. For those who prefer ready made options, there are dozens of different commercially available marinara sauces that are available in virtually every food market and make for a simple, nutritious and tasty family meal for any night of the week.