Quick Sun-Dried Tomato Marinara
on Jun 04, 2024, Updated Jul 02, 2024
This Quick Sun-Dried Tomato Marinara is a fresh, flavorful, oil-free sauce that’s perfect for any pasta or veggie noodle dish. Made with simple, wholesome ingredients, it’s a delicious way to elevate your meals in no time!
Why I Love This Recipe
Hey there, fabulous foodies! It’s Chef AJ, your Queen of Quick and Easy, here with a delightful new recipe: Quick Sun-Dried Tomato Marinara. This sauce has quickly become a favorite in my kitchen because it’s not only incredibly flavorful but also super easy to make. When I’m not busy creating oil-free, refined sugar-free, and salt-free dishes or interviewing plant-based experts for my YouTube show, I’m always on the lookout for recipes that are both nutritious and quick to prepare, like this plant-based marinara sauce!
What I love most about this recipe is its versatility and simplicity. With just a handful of ingredients and a high-speed blender, you can whip up a delicious, raw marinara sauce in minutes. The sun-dried tomatoes add a rich, concentrated flavor, while the fresh Roma tomatoes, bell pepper, and basil bring brightness and freshness. It’s perfect for those days when you want a healthy, homemade meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Plus, it’s raw, which means you’re getting all the nutrients from the fresh ingredients!
Key Ingredients
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: These add a deep, rich flavor to the marinara sauce. They are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
- Fresh Roma Tomatoes: Provide a fresh, juicy base for the sauce. Roma tomatoes are high in vitamins A and C and add a bright, tangy flavor.
- Red Bell Pepper: Adds sweetness and a pop of color. Bell peppers are rich in vitamins A, C, and B6, as well as antioxidants.
- Garlic: Adds a robust, savory taste. Garlic is known for its immune-boosting properties and contains compounds like allicin, which have anti-inflammatory effects.
- Dates: Add a touch of natural sweetness to balance the acidity of the tomatoes. Dates are high in fiber, potassium, and essential minerals.
- Shallot or Red Onion: Adds a mild onion flavor that complements the other ingredients. Shallots and red onions are rich in antioxidants and vitamins.
- Fresh Basil Leaves: Provide a fragrant, herbal note that enhances the overall flavor of the sauce. Basil is a good source of vitamin K and antioxidants.
- Crushed Red Pepper (Optional): Adds a bit of heat and spice to the sauce. Crushed red pepper flakes are known for their metabolism-boosting properties.
The Process
In a high-speed blender, process all the ingredients until smooth. If you prefer a chunkier consistency, use a food processor fitted with the “S” blade and process all the ingredients until the desired consistency is reached.
Serve over your favorite healthy noodles, such as those made from rice, tofu, sea vegetables, hearts of palm, legumes, sweet potatoes, or zucchini.
Chef’s Tips
- Save time by not chopping up your ingredients. They can go in the blender whole!
- This marinara is a raw recipe, but if you let the blender run for a few minutes, it will heat up the sauce.
- Roasting the garlic before blending it will impart a more mellow, sweeter garlic flavor.
- This sauce freezes quite well. Make a bigger batch and freeze some to keep on hand.
- Our favorite way to enjoy this sauce is over zucchini “zoodles.”
How to Store the Quick Sun-Dried Marinara Sauce
Store the marinara sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. It also freezes well for longer storage—just reheat in the blender or on the stove when ready to enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Stored in an airtight container, this marinara sauce will stay fresh for up to a week.
Yes, this sauce freezes very well. Store it in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to three months.
No need to chop the ingredients—just remove the stems from the peppers and place everything in the blender.
This sauce is versatile and can be used on pasta, as a pizza sauce, or as a dip for veggies.
Serving Suggestion
Serve this Quick Sun-Dried Tomato Marinara over whole wheat pasta, zucchini “zoodles,” or your favorite healthy noodles. Top with fresh basil and a sprinkle of nutritional yeast or my Faux Parmesan for an extra burst of flavor.
Summary
Quick Sun-Dried Tomato Marinara is a fresh, flavorful, and nutritious sauce that’s perfect for any meal. Made with simple ingredients and a high-speed blender, it’s easy to prepare and packed with flavor. Enjoy this raw, plant-based marinara sauce over your favorite noodles.
If you tried this recipe, I’d love to see your results! Share your culinary creation on social media and tag me. As the Queen of Quick and Easy, nothing makes me happier than seeing how my convenient plant-based recipes inspire your kitchen adventures. Let’s celebrate the love of cooking and enjoy the deliciousness together!
Quick Sun-Dried Tomato Marinara
Equipment
- High-speed blender
Ingredients
- 1 cup oil-free sun-dried tomatoes, soaked in water
- 3 or 4 fresh Roma tomatoes
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded
- 1 or 2 cloves of garlic
- 3 or 4 pitted dates
- 1 shallot, or 1 tablespoon chopped red onion
- 3 or 4 fresh basil leaves
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper, optional
Instructions
- In a high-speed blender, process all the ingredients until smooth. If you prefer a chunkier consistency, use a food processor fitted with the “S” blade and process all the ingredients until the desired consistency is reached.
- Serve over your favorite healthy noodles, such as those made from rice, tofu, sea vegetables, hearts of palm, legume, sweet potatoes or zucchini.
This is so good and so easy! Thank you!
Very easy recipe. It doesn’t say to drain the tomatoes so the sauce turned out a little thick as I drained off the water.