Ingredients:

– 3 cups diced tomatoes (my favorite is cherry tomatoes cut in half)

– 1 tablespoon of red pepper flakes (optional if you like a little heat)

– ½ cup Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese

– 1 cup chopped onion

– 3 garlic cloves (add more if you like)

– 1 teaspoon of herbs and spices to taste (such as thyme or fresh basil)

– Salt and pepper to taste

– 2 tablespoons olive oil

– Heavy cream (optional)

– ½ cup assorted diced vegetables, such as red or green peppers, carrots, or celery (optional)

Directions :

1. In a 12-inch saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium/low heat. Add the cup of onions and 2-3 chopped garlic cloves. If you are using  1/2 cup assorted chopped vegetables, add them at this time. Cook the vegetables until the onions are translucent, being careful not to burn the garlic to preserve its flavor. Add the 1 tbsp red pepper flakes. 

2. Add the 3 cups diced tomatoes and the herbs and spices of your choice. Let it sauté for about 5 minutes. 

3. If you choose to add 1/2 cup heavy cream for a thicker and creamier sauce, do so at this point. If the sauce becomes too thick, you can thin it out with some vegetable broth. 

4. Add the 1/2 cup Pecorino Romano cheese and stir until melted and combined. At this point, you should have a nice Homemade Marinara Sauce that you can add to your pasta. 

5. You can add additional flavors to your sauce based on your preference. You can also use an immersion blender, food processor, or blender to puree your sauce for even distribution of flavors. If you prefer a chunky sauce, remove any sautéed vegetables before pureeing the sauce and add them back afterward.

Now you have the best homemade Marinara recipe the family will love !