World's Best Marinara

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and red pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3. Add crushed tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Stir in basil and season with salt and pepper.
5. Serve over your favorite Italian dish.

Interesting Facts

• Marinara sauce originated in Naples, Italy in the 16th century.
• The word ‘marinara’ means ‘of the sailor’ in Italian, referring to the fact that the sauce was often made with salt-preserved ingredients common in sailor’s diets.
• Tomatoes were not added to marinara sauce until the 19th century.