How To: Make classic Italian marinara sauce with 6 ingredients

Six. It's the magical number for marinara sauce. A great sauce doesn't need a huge list of ingredients, only a handful, and six ingredients are all it takes to make Christine and Carla Pallotta's marinara. The nebo ristorante chef/owners' recipe makes a large batch of vibrant tomato sauce which is a great idea. Use what you need and the rest will freeze perfectly for up to 3 months. That way you'll always have a hearty red sauce available when you've got a craving for the Pallotta sisters' 5-Cheese Lasagna.

INGREDIENTS:

Makes 1¼ gallons (5 quarts) of sauce

* 1 cup canola oil
* 1 medium onion, sliced
* six 28-oz cans of whole peeled tomatoes (San Marzano recommended)
* salt & pepper to taste
* fresh basil leaves, whole or chopped

Special Equipment

* food processor
* large saucepan
* sauté pan

HOW-TO:

1. Add canola oil to a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onions and sauté onions until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside. Do not discard pan with oil
2. Meanwhile in food processor, blend tomatoes for about 30 seconds or until just smooth
3. Add the pureed tomatoes to the pot with the oil. Add the cooked onions. Season with salt and pepper
4. Bring to a boil then lower heat and let simmer for approximately 45-60 minutes over medium-low heat, adding a few (whole or chopped) basil leaves after 45 minutes
5. Can be used immediately or put in individual containers to use at a later time. Leftovers can be frozen for up to 3 months

Classic Marinara is Christine & Carla Pallotta's choice for layering their 5-Cheese Lasagna.