Marinara sauce is rich, vibrant, and loaded with flavor. It’s an easy recipe to make with just a few simple ingredients —whole tomatoes are simmered with sautéed onions and garlic, fresh basil, and seasoning. This tomato sauce is delicious served on it’s own as a dip with a side of Garlic Breadsticks, but it also forms an essential ingredient for so many dishes—from pasta and pizzas to stuffed peppers and chicken dinners. If you want to skip the store-bought sauce, save money, and make your own homemade marinara sauce with real ingredients, this recipe is exactly what you need.
Why You’ll Love Marinara Sauce
- Quick and easy. From start to finish, you’ll be done with this homemade marinara in just 25 minutes, and most of that time is spent allowing the tomatoes to simmer. It’s really convenient to make while waiting for other meals to bake in the oven. I recommend baking some Garlic Breadsticks or other crust bread for dipping!
- Tastes way better than store-bought. Store-bought sauce is good, but it’s typically also loaded with preservatives and filler ingredients, and lacks the freshness of a homemade marinara sauce. When you taste this marinara (which is seasoned with fresh ingredients like basil, garlic, onion, and more), you’ll see what I mean. It is bursting with flavor.
- It will save you money. Although this recipe won’t save you the time or convenience of buying pre-made marinara sauce, it will save you money. Canned tomatoes cost about a third the price (or less!) than store-bought sauce. In the long run, those dollars will add up.
Ingredients and Substitutions
To make this easy homemade marinara sauce, you will need the following ingredients (full quantities in the recipe card below):
- olive oil
- onion
- garlic
- dried oregano - you can also substitute this for Italian seasoning.
- red pepper flakes - this is optional, for a kick.
- tomatoes
- basil
- salt and pepper
- sugar - a little sugar helps to balance out the acidity in the tomatoes. You can leave this out if you prefer.
You will also need measuring spoons and a medium pot (I used my 4 qt. Dutch oven).
How to Make the Best Marinara Sauce
- Sauté aromatics. Heat oil in a medium pot or 4 qt. Dutch oven for 2 minutes over medium high heat until the hot oil sizzles. Add onion and garlic. Sauté until tender, about 3-4 minutes. Season with oregano and red pepper flakes (if using) and stir well to combine.
- Add tomatoes and simmer. Add whole tomatoes and use a spatula to gently break them apart. Stir in basil, salt, pepper, and sugar. Cover the lid and bring the mixture to a simmer over low heat. Stir occasionally and let it simmer until thickened to a desired consistency, about 15-20 minutes.
- Puree (optional). Optionally, you can use a potato masher, immersion blender, or food processor to puree the marinara to a smoother texture.
Storing Instructions
- How to store: Leftover marinara sauce will keep for up to 3-4 days in the fridge in an airtight container.
- How to freeze: Freeze leftover marinara sauce for up to six months in an airtight container or freezer bag. I recommend portioning it into serving sizes before freezing.
- How to thaw: Thaw pasta sauce in the refrigerator overnight. If you’re in a rush, you can heat it in a covered pan over medium-low heat until thawed.
- How to reheat: Reheat marinara over medium-low heat in a covered pan on the stovetop until warmed through, about 5 minutes. You can also microwave it in 20-30 second intervals on medium heat in the microwave. It will splatter if microwaved, so don’t forget to cover it.
More Sauce Recipes
- Tahini Sauce
- Buffalo Sauce
- Slow Cooker Applesauce
- Salted Caramel Sauce
- Homemade Enchilada Sauce
- Cranberry Sauce
Did you make this recipe? I would greatly appreciate a comment and rating below, letting me know what you thought of the recipe. You can also snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @aheadofthyme or share it on the Pinterest pin so that I can follow along.
Don't forget to sign up for my email newsletter so that you don't miss any recipes. You can also follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for more recipe updates.
Recipe
Marinara Sauce
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Marinara sauce is rich, vibrant, and loaded with flavor. It’s easy to make with a few simple fresh ingredients. Serve as a dip or in pasta and pizza.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano (or Italian seasoning)
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, to taste)
- 1 (28 oz.) can whole tomatoes
- ¼ cup fresh basil, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper (or to taste)
- ½ tablespoon granulated sugar (optional, to reduce acidity)
Instructions
- Heat oil in a medium pot or 4 qt. Dutch oven for 2 minutes over medium high heat until the hot oil sizzles. Add onion and garlic. Sauté until tender, about 3-4 minutes. Season with oregano and red pepper flakes (if using) and stir well to combine.
- Add whole tomatoes and use a spatula to gently break them apart. Stir in basil, salt, pepper, and sugar. Cover the lid and bring the mixture to a simmer over low heat. Stir occasionally and let it simmer until thickened to a desired consistency, about 15-20 minutes.
- Optionally, you can use a potato masher, immersion blender, or food processor to puree the marinara to a smoother texture.
Notes
How to store: Leftover marinara sauce will keep for up to 3-4 days in the fridge in an airtight container.
How to freeze: Freeze leftover marinara sauce for up to six months in an airtight container or freezer bag. I recommend portioning it into serving sizes before freezing.
How to thaw: Thaw pasta sauce in the refrigerator overnight. If you’re in a rush, you can heat it in a covered pan over medium-low heat until thawed.
How to reheat: Reheat marinara over medium-low heat in a covered pan on the stovetop until warmed through, about 5 minutes. You can also microwave it in 20-30 second intervals on medium heat in the microwave. It will splatter if microwaved, so don’t forget to cover it.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Food Blogger Business School
A step-by-step program that teaches food bloggers how to grow and scale their blogs into a full-time business
in less time and without posting endless content until you burn out.
Leave a Comment