Makes: About 4 cups
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes

Why You'll Love This!
Making marinara sauce from scratch is easier than you might think! Using fresh tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and herbs creates a bright, flavorful sauce without unnecessary added sugars or preservatives found in many store-bought varieties.
This versatile sauce is perfect for homemade pizzas, pasta, dipping breadsticks, or even serving alongside roasted vegetables.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
• 2 pounds fresh tomatoes, peeled and coarsely chopped (about 4 cups)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt, to taste

Optional:

• Fresh basil or parsley, chopped
• Pinch of red pepper flakes (for a little heat)

Equipment

• Large skillet or saucepan
• Cutting board
• Chef's knife
• Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
• Measuring spoons

Directions
Step 1: Sauté the Garlic
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the garlic and oregano, stirring frequently for about 1 minute, until fragrant.
Tip: Watch the garlic carefully—it cooks quickly. Burnt garlic can make the sauce taste bitter.

Step 2: Add the Tomatoes
Reduce the heat to low.
Add the chopped tomatoes and a pinch of salt.
Stir everything together until well combined.

Step 3: Simmer
Cover the skillet and simmer gently for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
If the sauce becomes thicker than you'd like, stir in a small splash of water until it reaches your preferred consistency.

Step 4: Taste and Finish
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with additional salt if needed.
For extra freshness, stir in chopped basil or parsley just before serving.

Serving Ideas
Enjoy this homemade marinara sauce with:

• Homemade naan pizzas
• Whole wheat pasta
• Mozzarella sticks
• Breadsticks
• Chicken Parmesan
• Meatballs
• Roasted vegetables
• Lasagna

Kitchen Skills You'll Practice

• Knife safety
• Chopping vegetables
• Measuring ingredients
• Sautéing
• Simmering
• Tasting and adjusting seasoning

Food Safety Tip
Ask an adult for help when working around the stove. Always use oven mitts or pot holders when handling hot cookware, and be careful of steam when removing the lid from the pan.

Nutrition Spotlight
Fresh tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C, potassium, and the antioxidant lycopene, while olive oil provides heart-healthy unsaturated fats. Preparing marinara from scratch is a simple way to enjoy wholesome ingredients and control the amount of sodium and added sugar in your meal.

🍅 Cooking with Dianne Tip
Homemade marinara is one of my favorite kitchen staples because it's simple, flavorful, and incredibly versatile. Make a double batch and freeze extra portions for quick weeknight meals—you'll always have a delicious homemade sauce ready to enjoy!

​Servings: 4 (1 pizza per person)
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
Ingredients
Pizza Base

• 4 naan breads (whole wheat if available)
• 2 teaspoons olive oil (optional)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Sauce

• 1 cup pizza sauce or marinara sauce

Cheese

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Healthy Toppings
Choose your favorites!
Vegetables

• Bell peppers, diced
• Mushrooms, sliced
• Red onion, thinly sliced
• Spinach
• Cherry tomatoes, halved
• Black olives
• Corn
• Zucchini, diced

Protein Options

• Turkey pepperoni
• Cooked chicken breast
• Lean turkey sausage
• Cooked ground turkey
• Ham
• Plant-based crumbles

Equipment

• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Cutting board
• Chef's knife
• Measuring cups
• Spoon
• Oven mitts

Directions
Step 1: Preheat
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2: Prepare the Naan
Brush each naan lightly with olive oil if you plan to use oil.
Sprinkle with:

• Garlic powder
• Italian seasoning

This creates extra flavor and helps keep the crust crisp.

Step 3: Add Sauce
Spread about 2 tablespoons pizza sauce over each naan.
Leave about a ½-inch border around the edges.

Step 4: Add Cheese
Sprinkle each pizza with:

• ½ cup mozzarella
• Parmesan if using

Step 5: Add Toppings
Let everyone create their own pizza!
Encourage using a balance of:

• Colorful vegetables
• Lean protein
• Moderate cheese

Step 6: Bake
Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until:

• Cheese is melted
• Edges are golden brown
• Crust is crisp

Step 7: Cool
Allow pizzas to cool for 2–3 minutes before slicing.
Serve warm.

Healthy Pizza IdeasVeggie Lover

• Spinach
• Mushrooms
• Bell peppers
• Tomatoes
• Parmesan

BBQ Chicken

• Cooked chicken
• Red onion
• Mozzarella
• Drizzle of BBQ sauce after baking

Hawaiian

• Ham
• Pineapple
• Mozzarella

Supreme

• Turkey pepperoni
• Mushrooms
• Peppers
• Onions
• Olives

Mediterranean

• Spinach
• Tomatoes
• Red onion
• Feta
• Grilled chicken

Kitchen Skills Learned

• Knife safety
• Measuring ingredients
• Building balanced meals
• Reading a recipe
• Safe oven use
• Food presentation

Food Safety Tip
Always wash your hands before cooking and after handling raw meat. If using raw chicken or turkey as a topping, cook it to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before adding it to the pizza.

Nutrition Tip
A healthier pizza starts with a nutritious foundation. Build your pizza by including:

• Whole grain naan (when available)
• Plenty of colorful vegetables
• Lean protein
• A moderate amount of cheese

This helps create a delicious, balanced meal that's full of flavor and satisfying.
Cooking with Dianne Tip: There are no "right" or "wrong" pizza toppings—have fun, be creative, and enjoy trying new flavor combinations! 🍕

Makes: 16–20 bars (depending on size)
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 15 minutes
Why You'll Love These! These homemade granola bars are crunchy, chewy, naturally sweetened, and packed with wholesome ingredients. They're perfect for breakfast on the go, after-school snacks, hiking, or a healthy energy boost before sports.
When my son Marcus was on his high school wrestling team, these were one of my go-to snacks to make for him. They were easy to prepare, packed with wholesome ingredients, and provided a convenient snack he could enjoy before or after practice and competitions. They quickly became a family favorite, and they're still one of my favorite recipes to make today.
One of the best parts? You can create your own flavor combination! Swap the cereal, nut butter, nuts, seeds, or dried fruit to make a recipe that's uniquely yours. Every batch can be a new delicious adventure!

Ingredients
Dry Ingredients

• 3 cups Nature's Path Organic Ancient Grains Cereal (or your favorite low-sugar granola)
• ½ cup raw almonds or cashews, roughly chopped
• ¼ cup unsweetened dried apricots or your favorite unsweetened dried fruit, chopped
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds (optional)
• 2 tablespoons hemp hearts (optional)

Wet Ingredients

• ⅓ cup almond butter
• ½ cup agave syrup

For the Pan

• Avocado oil or nonstick cooking spray

Equipment

• 8-inch square baking pan
• Large mixing bowl
• Rubber spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Cutting board
• Chef's knife
• Oven mitts

Directions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Lightly coat an 8-inch square baking pan with avocado oil or cooking spray.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine:

• Almond butter
• Agave syrup

Stir until smooth and creamy.

Step 3: Add the Dry Ingredients
Add:

• Ancient Grains cereal
• Chopped nuts
• Chopped dried fruit
• Chia seeds (optional)
• Hemp hearts (optional)

Mix until every piece is evenly coated.

Step 4: Press into the Pan
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan.
Using a rubber spatula (or the back of a spoon), press the mixture down firmly into an even layer.
Tip: The more firmly you press the mixture, the better the bars will hold together after baking.

Step 5: Bake
Bake for 15 minutes, or until the edges begin turning lightly golden.

Step 6: Cool
Allow the granola bars to cool completely before cutting.
This helps them firm up and makes slicing much easier.
Cut into 16–20 bars or squares.

Build Your Own Granola Bar
Try mixing and matching ingredients to create your own favorite combination!
Choose Your Base

• Ancient Grains cereal
• Low-sugar granola
• Rolled oats
• Crispy brown rice cereal

Choose Your Nut or Seed Butter

• Almond butter
• Peanut butter
• Sunflower seed butter
• Cashew butter

Choose Your Nuts or Seeds

• Cashews
• Almonds
• Walnuts
• Pecans
• Pumpkin seeds
• Sunflower seeds

Choose Your Fruit

• Dried cranberries
• Raisins
• Chopped dates
• Unsweetened dried cherries
• Apricots

Add Extra Nutrition

• Chia seeds
• Hemp hearts
• Ground flaxseed
• Unsweetened coconut flakes
• Cinnamon

Kitchen Skills You'll Practice

• Measuring ingredients
• Mixing wet and dry ingredients
• Knife skills (chopping dried fruit and nuts)
• Baking basics
• Food safety
• Reading a recipe

Food Safety Tip
Always wash your hands before preparing food.
If chopping nuts or dried fruit, keep your fingers curled under ("the claw grip") and always cut on a stable cutting board.
Remember—let the bars cool before cutting to avoid burns.

Nutrition Spotlight
These homemade granola bars provide a balance of:

• Healthy fats from nuts and almond butter
• Fiber from whole grains, fruit, and seeds
• Plant-based protein from nuts, chia seeds, and hemp hearts
• Natural sweetness from agave syrup and dried fruit

Making your own granola bars lets you control the ingredients and reduce added sugars compared to many packaged snack bars.

💡 Cooking with Dianne Tip
There are endless ways to customize these bars! Try a new combination each time you make them and discover your family's favorite. Homemade snacks are a fun way to fuel your body with wholesome ingredients while learning valuable kitchen skills.