A basic marinara sauce: (meatless sauce)

I use this sauce over spaghetti noodles for a nice meatless meal. I also use this sauce in several recipes that call for bottled spaghetti sauce - like Eggplant Parmesan, manacotti, etc.

2 cups onions sauteed in small amount of oil
1 large can tomatoes (or about 4 cups peeled) - I cut them with scissors into small pieces
1 340 g. can tomato paste
1 tsp. dried oregano leaves
1 tsp. dried basil leaves
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. sugar (necessary if you use tomato paste because it keeps the sauce from being bitter)
1 or 2 cups of water as needed
Simmer for an hour.

When cooking the onions, you can also add peppers and mushrooms. If you want to add fresh diced garlic, wait to add it until the onions are almost done - it burns easily.