Natural Marinara Sauce:

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 1 medium tomato, diced
• Opened bottle of hearty red wine, such as burgundy, though any red wine will work
• 2 16oz cans of Crushed Tomatoes (For extra chunky sauce, substitute 1 lb fresh diced tomatoes for one of the cans of crushed tomatoes. For a thinner sauce, substitute 1 16oz can of tomato sauce for one of the cans of crushed tomatoes.)
• 1 teaspoon Basil
• 1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
• Salt as needed
• Oregano or other Italian Seasoning to taste
• Shredded spinach (optional)
• Parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions:

1. Put olive oil in large skillet and let skillet heat up on medium heat.
2. Sauté onions and garlic until they turn brown around the edges.
3. Add a little red wine until onions and garlic are barely covered. Let garlic and onions soak in all the wine.
4. Add diced, fresh tomatoes and stir until tomatoes are covered in wine and onion mixture. Let skillet simmer for about thirty seconds and stir as needed.
5. Carefully add desired combination of crushed tomatoes and tomatoes for extra chunky or thinner sauce if applicable. Stir tomatoes into wine and vegetable mixture until uniformly mixed. Add shredded spinach, if using.
6. Turn heat down to low and cover skillet. Allow sauce to simmer for at least five minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure the sauce is not sticking to pan. Season with salt and Italian seasonings to taste.