Basic Marinara Sauce

Here is a simple recipe for a basic marinara sauce that I made from my Giada De Laurentiis 'Everyday Pasta' cookbook.  This is a great cookbook that I highly recommend for the simple and delicious pasta recipes.  The marinara sauce is great as a base for Giada's Arrabiata Sauce recipe.

Yum.  Salivating.  Sexy.

 

Basic Marinara Sauce

Makes:  About 8 cups

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 small onions, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and finely chopped
• 1/2 tsp sea salt, plus more to taste
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
• 1 (28-oz) cans crushed tomatoes
• 2 dried bay leaves

Directions
In a large pot, hear the oil over medium heat.  Add the onions and garlic and saute until the onions are translucent, about 10 minutes.  Add the celery, carrots, and 1/2 teaspoon each of the salt and pepper.  Saute until all the vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes.  Add the tomatoes and bay leaves, and simmer uncovered over medium heat until the sauce thickens, about 1 hour.  Remove and discard the bay leaves.  Season the sauce with more salt and pepper to taste.

Recipe Source: Giada De Laurentiis' 'Everyday Pasta' Cookbook