Instant Creamy Marinara Sauce (Print Version)

A rich tomato sauce with butter and Italian herbs, ready in minutes for versatile use.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Sauce Base

01 - 2 cups tomato sauce, plain and unsalted if possible

→ Dairy

02 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

→ Seasoning

03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - ½ teaspoon salt, adjust to taste
05 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Optional Additions

06 - 1 tablespoon heavy cream
07 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (basil, oregano)

# How to Make It:

01 - In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine tomato sauce, butter, and garlic powder.
02 - Stir continuously until butter melts fully and sauce begins to simmer, approximately 5 minutes.
03 - Add salt and black pepper; stir to incorporate evenly.
04 - If desired, stir in heavy cream and dried Italian herbs to enrich the sauce.
05 - Allow sauce to simmer gently for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
06 - Taste and modify seasoning as needed; serve warm over pasta, as a dip, or pizza topping.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It comes together faster than delivery arrives, yet tastes like you've been simmering it all day.
  • The butter transforms canned tomato sauce into something so velvety it feels like a secret ingredient was involved.
  • It works as a pasta sauce, pizza base, or dipping sauce—practically a kitchen Swiss Army knife.
02 -
  • Don't skip the initial simmer time—that's when the butter and tomato properly meld instead of just sitting together awkwardly.
  • If your sauce ever breaks or looks greasy, add a tiny splash of water and whisk it back together; emulsions are forgiving if you catch them early.
03 -
  • Cut your butter into small pieces before adding it; it melts faster and emulsifies more evenly than dropping in a whole pat.
  • Taste constantly—this sauce comes together so fast that the line between perfectly seasoned and slightly off is just one extra pinch away.
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