Ready to ditch your store-bought Marinara sauce jars? Our homemade Marinara sauce recipe is so easy yet delicious that once you try it, you’ll never go for the store-bought ones again! It is a delectable combination of tomato, garlic, basil, and other ingredients.

Serve it with your favorite pasta, lasagna, pizza, dinner rolls, sandwiches, fries, or whatever you want. It goes well with any savory dish. Tag along for this Italian-style Marinara sauce recipe.

Easy Marinara Sauce Recipe Key Ingredients:

Looking for a simple pasta sauce? Our homemade Marinara sauce is simple to make. Plus it’s vegan and gluten-free. This authentic Marinara sauce is made with just a few basic ingredients. Seasoned with a perfect amount of herbs that complement the rich tomatoey flavor but don’t overpower them.

It’s totally hassle-free and convenient for weeknight dinner preparations.  Let the sauce simmer on the stove and prepare different dishes side by side. It’ll remind you of your childhood comfort foods. Let’s know the ingredients in detail:

Olive Oil:

Olive oil is used to saute garlic and onion in the Marinara sauce recipe. Butter or margarine can also be used. But olive oil is the healthiest option. Use 2 tablespoons of olive oil of any brand of your choice.

Onion:

Onion mellows nicely in the olive oil and gives the sauce a mildly spicy, caramel-like flavor. I used white onion in the recipe. You can use any onion you have on hand. Use ¼ cup diced onions in this traditional red sauce recipe.

Garlic:

Garlic enhances all the flavors in the sauce. The unique aroma and flavor of garlic act amazingly and make the sauce tastier. Don’t skip garlic, otherwise the taste will be different than the original. ¼ cup minced garlic will do.

Red Pepper Flakes:

Red pepper flakes give spiciness and a nice red color to the homemade Marinara sauce. Use good quality pepper for an authentic taste. I used ½ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes in the recipe. Use more if you want spicier sauce. 

Tomatoes:

Our Marinara sauce is tomato-based. Use a good quality canned tomato for marinara sauce. Any brand of your choice will do. Use 1 can (approximately 3 cups) of tomato in this simple pasta sauce.

Fresh Basil:

Wanna make your Marinara sauce herby? Fresh basil gives such a freshness in the flavors of the sauce. Use 1 teaspoon of fresh basil in the Marinara sauce recipe.

Dried Oregano: 

Oregano is a must-use herb in Italian savory recipes. 1 teaspoon of dried oregano will change the whole game in the taste of the sauce.

Salt:

Use salt carefully as canned tomatoes may have salt in them. ½ teaspoon will be enough.

Black Pepper:

Freshly ground black pepper gives intensity to the flavors of the Marinara sauce. Do not use more than 1/2 teaspoon, otherwise the sauce may taste bitter.

Brown Sugar:

I prefer using ½ teaspoon of brown sugar in the Marinara sauce recipe. It gives a smoky flavor and some depth to the sauce. Skip sugar if you have restrictions.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Marinara Sauce:

Ready for this amazing classic Marinara sauce recipe? Our Marinara sauce is a go-to sauce in many families. You can easily elevate your leftover dishes with this magical sauce. 

Plus you’ll save dollars by opting for the homemade sauce. Here are the complete Step-by-step instructions for making this magical Marinara sauce. 

Step 1:

Put a saucepan on heat. Saute the onion and garlic in the olive oil until translucent. 1 minute will be enough.

Step 2:

Next, add in the remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Smash the tomatoes with a spatula. Use a hand blender for a smoother texture. Simmer for 15 minutes, covered. Keep the heat medium and stir occasionally.

Step 3:

When tomatoes are melted in the sauce and your desired consistency is reached, turn off the flame. Serve warm with your pasta or meatballs. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips & Notes:

• Double or triple the measurements to make a larger batch. This is a freezer-friendly sauce so you can store it easily.

• Are you obsessed with butter? Use butter instead of olive oil if you feel like it.

• I use chopped Basil in the sauce but you can put whole leaves and remove them when the sauce is ready to serve.

• Use a spoonful of Italian seasoning blend to make the sauce more flavorful.

• Use canned tomatoes with juices for intense flavors.

• Be careful with the use of salt. Add a pinch first, and add more after tasting.

• Add ½ cup tomato puree for additional depth in the flavors.

• Simmer for 10 more minutes if you want more depth in the Marinara sauce.

• Use fresh garden tomatoes if you have them available. In that case, you’ll need to add 1 tablespoon of vinegar to improve the shelf life of the Marinara sauce.

Italian Marinara Recipe Variations:

Our marinara sauce for pasta is customization-friendly. Feel free to experiment with the ingredients to create variations. Here are some popular variations of the sauce:

Spicy Marinara Sauce:

Increase the quantity of crushed red pepper flakes to make the Marinara sauce very spicy. Optionally you can use chipotle or cayenne pepper.

Creamy Marinara Sauce:

For a creamy texture in the Marinara sauce, add two tablespoons of salted or unsalted butter. 1 teaspoon of fresh cream will also work.

Garlic Marinara Sauce:

Double the amount of garlic to make your Marinara sauce spicy with garlic. 

Herby Marinara Sauce:

Use additional herbs like dried thyme, rosemary, or sage for an earthy flavor in the Marinara sauce.

Cheesy Marinara Sauce:

Want a cheesy Marinara sauce? Add ½ cup of freshly grated Parmesan before serving.

Chunky Marinara Sauce:

If you love the chunks in your mouth while having Marinara sauce, don’t smash the tomatoes while cooking.

Serving Options For Classic Marinara Sauce Recipe:

Marinara is a simple yet multipurpose sauce. It can be used with almost everything. Here are some handy serving options for you. Don’t hesitate to explore more of your own. 

Pasta or Spaghetti: 

Stir our Marinara sauce with pasta, spaghetti, or lasagna. This is the best serving option in my opinion. 

Pizza: 

Use Marinara as a base for any pizza. Trust me, it tastes mouthwatering. 

Meat or Fish: 

Use it in your chicken, shrimp, or meatball recipe. Add the sauce to the gravy and enjoy the warming flavors. 

Vegetable:

Spread it on sauteed vegetables, your kids will surely love it this way. 

Dipping Sauce: 

It’s also a good dipping sauce for fries, sticks, fingers, chips etc. 

Subs And Sandwiches: 

Make your regular sandwiches simply using Marinara. This sauce complements subs and sandwiches very well.  

Nutrition Facts
Calories(per serving)	Fat	Carbs	Protein
280	5 g	23 g	1 g

Frequently Asked Questions:

Planning to make our classic Marinara Sauce? Here are some questions that may cross your mind while trying our Marinara sauce recipe.

1. What is Marinara Sauce?

Marinara sauce is a simple one-pot tomato-based sauce with lots of fresh flavors. It is made with tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and some herbs. This garlic Marinara sauce can be paired with spaghetti, pasta, chicken, fish, etc.

2.What is the Difference Between Marinara Sauce and Tomato Sauce?

The difference between Marinara sauce and tomato sauce is in its thickness. Tomato sauce is thicker than Marinara sauce and has a more intense flavor profile. Marinara sauce needs fewer ingredients and can be made quickly.

3. Can Marinara Sauce Be Frozen?

Yes, you can easily freeze leftover Marinara sauce. It will taste the same as a fresh one. Let the sauce cool to room temperature before freezing to keep the texture intact. 

Transfer to an airtight container and store in the freezer. Let it fully thaw before reuse. Reheat in the oven, you may add some fresh herbs for better taste.

Last Words:

Marinara sauce is one of the most popular classic tomato-based sauces. Our Marinara sauce recipe is so easy to make and absolutely delectable. Not too spicy, not too sweet, just the perfect amount of spice and herbs. And there are so many ways to bring variation in it and use it. 

What else do you need from a go-to Marinara sauce? Roll your sleeves and make a batch today. Your family and friends will thank you.