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4.6 from 21 votes

Fra Diavolo Sauce

This fra diavolo sauce is a spicy Italian tomato sauce made with fresh or canned tomatoes, red chili flakes, and oregano. It pairs perfectly with pasta and seafood!

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 4 people (½ cup servings)
Calories: 179 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 teaspoons red chili flakes Use less for a milder sauce
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 4 garlic cloves, diced
  • 2 pounds fresh tomatoes (diced) or 28oz can diced or crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Add the oil, onions, chili flakes and salt to a large, shallow pan. (Use a 12" pan or larger, see recipe notes.)Cook the onions over medium heat until they begin to brown (~5 min). Add the garlic and cook 1 more minute, or until the garlic is fragrant.
  2. Add the tomatoes, water, and oregano to the pan. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer.
  3. Simmer the tomatoes for 20-25 minutes, or until most of the water has evaporated and the sauce has thickened.Taste the sauce and add more chili flakes, salt, or oregano if desired. Simmer 1-2 more minutes if you added more seasoning.Serve immediately along with fresh pasta or with seafood, refrigerate and use within 4-6 days, or freeze and use within a year. 

Notes

  • Yields: ~2 cups tomato sauce.
  • Pan Size: Some readers have reported that their 12" pans were too small for the volume of sauce. You may find a heavy Dutch oven works best for you, although I've always had success with my 12" carbon steel pan.
  • Smoother Sauce with Fresh Tomatoes: Canned tomatoes are peeled, and will yield a smoother sauce with less texture.  If you’re using fresh tomatoes and want an extra-smooth marinara, you have two options:
  •   Peel the tomatoes first.  Use a knife to mark an X on each tomato, and then blanch them in boiling water until the tomato peel loosens (~15-30 seconds).  Peel, and then proceed with the recipe.  Crush tomatoes with your hands instead of dicing.
  • Blend the sauce.  After cooking, add the sauce to a blender or use an immersion blender to blend the peels into the sauce.
  • Varieties of tomatoes: For the thickest sauce, use San Marzano tomatoes (or other varieties of Roma tomatoes).  However, this recipe works well with juicy tomatoes also.

Nutrition Information

Calories 179kcal (9%) Carbohydrates 13g (4%) Protein 3g (6%) Fat 14g (22%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Sodium 178mg (7%) Potassium 609mg (17%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 7g (14%) Vitamin A 2186IU (44%) Vitamin C 34mg (38%) Calcium 42mg (4%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4people (½ cup servings)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 179

% Daily Value*

Calories 179kcal 9%
Carbohydrates 13g 4%
Protein 3g 6%
Fat 14g 22%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Sodium 178mg 7%
Potassium 609mg 13%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 7g 14%
Vitamin A 2186IU 44%
Vitamin C 34mg 38%
Calcium 42mg 4%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.