Fresh or canned plum tomatoes, garlic and herbs are the classic components of marinara sauce. This “mariner's style” sauce is so named because a fisherman's wife could assemble it ahead of time to combine with the day's catch—and, indeed, the flavors are wonderful with seafood.
Adding olives, capers, extra garlic, anchovies and crushed red pepper to a marinara sauce makes it alla puttanesca, perfect for tossing with penne or slathering on a pizza crust. The fanciful name means “harlot style,” which may refer to the seductive aroma of the sauce or the idea that a woman could cook it quickly, between clients. Fresh Tomato Sauce with Shrimp and Pine Nuts (pictured) is seasoned simply, but admirably, with basil, oregano and garlic. Another way to vary a tomato-based sauce: Create a distinctive seasoning blend, such as crushed basil and oregano leaves, garlic powder, onion powder, fennel seeds and ground black and red pepper.