Can you use tomato sauce to make marinara sauce?

You can definitely use tomato sauce as a base for marinara sauce! However, it's important to understand that tomato sauce and marinara sauce are not the same thing.

Tomato sauce is a simple sauce made from crushed or diced tomatoes, often with just a few basic seasonings like salt, pepper, and sometimes garlic.

Marinara sauce is a more complex sauce that typically includes:

* Crushed or diced tomatoes (often San Marzano tomatoes for their sweetness and low acidity)

* Onion

* Garlic

* Herbs, such as oregano, basil, parsley, or thyme

* Olive oil

* Salt and pepper

Using tomato sauce as a base for marinara:

1. Start with a good quality tomato sauce. You can even use a homemade tomato sauce for a richer flavor.

2. Add the other marinara ingredients. Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil, then add your herbs and spices.

3. Combine with the tomato sauce. Stir in the sautéed ingredients to the tomato sauce.

4. Simmer and adjust seasoning. Let the sauce simmer for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

By adding the other crucial ingredients, you can easily transform your basic tomato sauce into a flavorful marinara sauce.