A delightful homemade marinara sauce that is rich in flavor and perfect for any pasta dish.
Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
Using a good quality olive oil enhances the flavor of the sauce.
Add the chopped onion, red bell pepper, and minced garlic to the saucepan. Sauté until softened.
Stir frequently to prevent the garlic from burning.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, dried basil, black pepper, and garlic powder. Mix well.
You can adjust the seasoning to taste at this stage.
Simmer the sauce on low heat, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes.
The longer you simmer, the richer the flavor becomes.
Add the sliced mushrooms and continue to simmer for another 10 minutes.
Ensure the mushrooms are evenly distributed in the sauce.
Serve the sauce over your favorite pasta or use it as a base for other dishes.
Garnish with fresh basil leaves for a touch of color and flavor.