How To Make Marinara Sauce with Fresh Yellow Tomatoes

Do you really want to impress your family and friends with a great recipe?

I’m about to show you something that will make them think you are a SUPERSTAR!

That’s if they think someone who makes a delicious tomato sauce with fresh tomatoes is a superstar.

What makes this dish really cool is that I used yellow tomatoes to make it. So I can’t refer to it as a red sauce recipe. Let’s call it a fresh tomato marinara sauce.

I’ll be honest. I usually make my Marinara sauce recipe with canned tomatoes. I always try to buy good tomatoes in a can, usually California or San Marzano tomatoes. That’s how people usually make a classic marinara sauce.

But today let’s make a sauce using fresh tomatoes instead of sodium filled cans of tomatoes and tomato paste.

It’s actually really easy. In fact, it’s such an easy recipe that it doesn’t even seem right.

fresh tomatoes at a farm stand

Now, I do want to make it clear that the best time of year to make this is during tomato season. It’s usually in the late Summer when you have some nice fresh, juicy tomatoes right out of the garden.

In fact, I like making this sauce with some of the ugliest tomatoes from the garden at the end of the season. If you don’t have a garden, stop by the nearest farm stand. Farmers’ markets usually have tons of nice, ugly, juicy tomatoes at the end of the summer. These tomatoes are perfect for making this homemade Marinara sauce recipe.

But, even if you make it with some decent tomatoes you buy at the supermarket it will still be really good. I mean, how could it not be good?

I love making this simple fresh tomato sauce dish with spaghetti. A long thin pasta really soaks up the sauce well.

Pour yourself a glass of red wine and get ready to twirl!

What You’ll Need to Make Marinara Sauce with Fresh Tomatoes

This is a simple tomato sauce with simple ingredients.

Tomatoes. You need whole tomatoes for this recipe. These are going to be the stars of this show, so get some good ones. They don’t have to be pretty.

Heirloom tomatoes are good for this recipe. I like blowing people’s minds by using yellow or purple tomatoes when I can find them. It’s fun!

You can also use roma tomatoes or plum tomatoes. Fresh garden tomatoes are always the best tomatoes, so try to find them.

Garlic. Always use fresh garlic.

Onion. Use a white or yellow onion and dice it.

Olive Oil. Use good extra virgin olive oil. It doesn’t have to be a really expensive olive oil, but use a brand that has a good reputation. When I make a simple recipe like this I prefer using extra-virgin olive oil because the flavor really shines through.

Basil. Use fresh basil. Plant some basil in a pot and leave it on your front steps. It’s nice to have it there when you need it. It’s also nice to get a whiff of it every time you walk by it.

Seasoning. Use Kosher salt and black pepper. Keep it simple.

Pasta. I vote for a simple spaghetti. Not fresh pasta. Not angel hair. Good old fashioned spaghetti in the box. This dish isn’t about being fancy.

How To Make Marinara Sauce with Fresh Tomatoes

boiling fresh tomatoes for marinara sauce

First, get some water boiling on the stove. Make it salty.

Now wash your tomatoes. With the tip of your knife, pop out the little part where the stem was. Cut a little “X” in the bottom of the tomato.

Drop your tomatoes in the boiling water for about 10 minutes. Take them out and let them cool off.

When you can touch them without burning your hands start peeling off the skin. That little “X” you cut on the button makes it easy.

Cut the peeled tomatoes in half and scoop out some of the seeds. It doesn’t need to be perfect, but get as many as you can.

Now make your own tomato puree. Put the tomatoes in a blender or food processor and give them a whirl. You can also use an immersion blender and stick it right into a bowl of the boiled tomatoes.

tomatoes in a food processor

Now heat some olive oil in a skillet on low heat. Add sliced garlic and diced onion. Let it brown, but make sure you don’t burn it!

Pour in your tomatoes from the blender and bring it to a boil on high heat. When it starts to boil Turn it down to medium heat and let it simmer. Add some salt and pepper and let it cook for about 20 minutes.

Your water should still be boiling so cook your spaghetti.

When it’s al dente, drain it and add it to the skillet with your own marinara sauce.

Throw in some grated Romano cheese and basil. Toss it around until all of the spaghetti is coated.

That was easy… wasn’t it?

spaghetti with fresh tomato marinara sauce

Marinara Sauce with Fresh Tomatoes FAQs

Does it matter what type of tomato I use?
Not really. A good ripe tomato during tomato season is perfect. If it’s not tomato season I’ve had the best results with plum tomatoes from the supermarket.

Do I need to use spaghetti?
No. Use your favorite pasta. I just think spaghetti soaks up this light and simple tomato sauce perfectly. But this homemade sauce will work perfectly with any pasta shape.

Can I make this sauce and use it in other ways?
Yes! Use it like you would any other tomato sauce. Make chicken parmesan, use it as a pizza sauce or use it as a dipping sauce with homemade mozzarella sticks.

Can I freeze this fresh tomato sauce?
Yes. If you can get your hands on a bunch of tomatoes, make a big batch and store it in the freezer. After you make it, let it cool and put it in an airtight container. It’s night to have this versatile sauce on hand for whenever you need it.

Can I make a homemade spaghetti sauce using cherry tomatoes?
Yes. You can make a homemade sauce using cherry tomatoes. With a cherry tomato sauce the process is different. When I make a sauce using cherry tomatoes I don’t blanch and peel the tomatoes. I cut the cherry tomatoes in half and toss them right in the pan with the olive oil and garlic.

Can I use fresh tomatoes with my usual homemade marinara sauce recipe?
Yes. If you have a marinara sauce recipe that your family loves, try substituting the canned tomatoes with the fresh tomatoes. You can still add whatever ingredients you would normally add. There are so many different methods when it comes to making tomato sauce. Some people add a teaspoon of sugar, some add a pinch of red pepper flakes. You should make your tomato sauce the way you and your family enjoy it.

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Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato Marinara Sauce


  • Author: Mortadella Head
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb of fresh tomatoes

34 clove of garlic

½ of a large onion, diced

3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil

45 leaves of fresh basil

Salt and pepper

1 lb of spaghetti


Instructions

  1. Boil salted water on the stove in a large pot.
  2. Now wash the tomatoes. With the tip of your knife, pop out the little part where the stem was. Cut a little “X” in the bottom of the tomato.
  3. Place your tomatoes in the boiling water for about 10 minutes. Take them out and let them cool off. Keep the boiling water aside.
  4. Peel the skin off of the tomatoes. That little “X” you cut on the button makes it easy.
  5. Cut the peeled tomatoes in half and scoop out some of the seeds. Get as many as you can.
  6. Place the tomatoes in a blender or food processor and puree them.
  7. Heat some olive oil in a skillet on low heat. Add sliced garlic and diced onion. Let them cook for about 10 minutes until the onions are soft and translucent.
  8. Pour in your tomatoes from the blender and bring it to a boil on high heat. When it starts to boil turn it down to medium heat and let it simmer.
  9. Add some salt and pepper and let it simmer for about 20 minutes.
  10. Add the spaghetti to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions.
  11. When the pasta is cooked to al dente, drain it and add it to the skillet with your fresh tomato sauce.
  12. Add some grated Romano cheese and fresh basil. Toss it around until all of the spaghetti is coated.
  13. Transfer it to a plate and enjoy!
  • Prep Time: 5
  • Cook Time: 30
  • Category: Sauces
  • Method: Cooked
  • Cuisine: Italian

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