My inspiration for this recipe is very surprising! I spent several days and nights at the hospital with a family member that didn't need to be left alone. The food served to the patient was ghastly. In the hospitals defense, I do realize they are cooking and serving hundreds of people with a variety of preferences. That is not a job I would want. It is unlikely anyone is happy with their food. Because I was staying around the clock with my family member, I was able to ask my husband to bring food to us. Therefore, the hospital food most often went uneaten.
Surprisingly, on the last day we were there, they served spaghetti, which happens to be the patient's favorite food. It smelled delicious! After sampling a few bits, it was declared a good meal. Before they took the tray away, I also tasted the sauce so I could replicate it once we got home. It was very easy to identify the ingredients in the simple sauce. It truly made me wonder why I had not considered making something like it before.
Two nights later, I made my version of that marinara sauce and served it to my family. Would you believe my husband said it was the best he had ever tasted? I was shocked. My entire family loves it and we have eaten twice since then. I have tweaked it slightly, but it is a very basic and easy to make marinara sauce.
Diced Tomato Marinara Sauce on Rotini Pasta
At the hospital, they served the sauce on top of rotini pasta. What a great idea! Rotini pasta is shaped to hold the sauce within its twisted spirals. That makes it perfect for a thin sauce.
Topped with a bit of mozzarella cheese and basil, we hit perfection. A simple sauce almost anyone can enjoy because it is not heavily "flavored". Of course, you can add garlic, onion, or other typical ingredients if desired, but we like it simple.
Ingredients
• 2 cans of 14.5 oz petite diced tomatoes (we prefer Good & Gather brand)
• 2 small cans of Hunts tomato sauce (8 ounces)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• freeze dried basil
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 Tablespoon Butter
• Pinch of sugar (to balance acidity)
Instructions
1. Heat 2 small cans of tomato sauce in a covered skillet or saucepan for 10 min to thicken
2. Stir in the diced tomatoes along with their juice
3. Add oregano, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper
4. Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, then turn the heat to low. Partially cover the pot with a tilted lid and let it simmer for 20 - 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Stir in a pinch of sugar and the butter for flavor. Stir together until butter is completely melted
6. Sprinkle with Mozzarella Cheese & Basil as each dish is prepared
Ready to serve!
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Easy and Delicious Marinara Sauce Served on Rotini Pasta Written by:

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It looks delicious, Sylvestermouse. I am particular about the taste of my spaghetti sauce, so having a simple recipe with ingredients that appeal to me is great. Terrific picture of your finished dish. It makes me hungry for it and it is only 7:00 a.m. as I read this. LOL. Well, why not spaghetti for breakfast! :) Well done with your marinara sauce recipe.
ReplyDeleteHospital food definitely is an unusual source of inspiration for recipes, but it looks like it was a surprisingly good one. How intrepid of you to recreate the recipe successfully just from your memory of the taste! I’m impressed, my talented friend!
ReplyDeleteHow simple and easy this marinara sauce is, it looks delicious. I use a can of crushed tomatoes for my marinara sauce, and I never added butter, I'm going try that next time I make it. Thanks for the recipe.
ReplyDeleteSounds delicious, and easy too which is the best part - my hubby is a pasta fanatic, he makes his sauce and freezes it - I know he'd enjoy this one!
ReplyDeleteCool! Sometimes simple really is best! Thanks for sharing your version of the recipe.
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