Why get store-bought Marinara Sauce when you can make your own?! This one-pot recipe is as simple to make as it is delicious. It is rich and bursting with flavor, made with tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, onion, basil, and savory spices thickened on the stovetop. Throw the ingredients in a pot, pour a glass of wine, and you’ll have a fresh batch of pasta sauce in less than 30 minutes!
This is the best marinara sauce recipe to make a big batch of and stash in the fridge and freezer. It is a staple in countless dishes, from pasta to pizza to meatballs. Add it to your favorite recipes, and you’ll taste the homemade difference! If you are looking for more Italian recipes, try my recipe for baked rigatoni, homemade spaghetti sauce, and manicotti recipe.
What You Need to Make This Recipe
Crushed Tomatoes – for easy prep, use 1 can of crushed tomatoes or buy canned plum whole tomatoes and crush them by hand. If possible, splurge on high-quality tomatoes, such as San Marzano, as the flavor of the tomatoes will be front and center in the sauce.
Olive Oil – use extra virgin olive oil to enhance the flavor and add depth to this easy marinara sauce recipe.
Onion – yellow onions have a mild, sweet flavor that complements the tomatoes and other ingredients. Finely dice them so they are not chunky in the sauce.
Garlic – peel and mince fresh garlic bulbs, or buy pre-minced garlic from the store for easier prep.
Spices – you just need three simple spices to compliment the other flavors of this sauce: black pepper, dried oregano, and kosher salt.
Basil – chopped fresh basil adds an aromatic vibrant flavor that enhances the overall taste of the sauce.
How to Make Marinara Sauce
1. Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat, then add the olive oil. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened for about 6 minutes.
2. Stir in the garlic. Cook, stirring often, until fragrant for about 30 seconds.
3. Add the crushed tomatoes.
4. Add the oregano.
5. Add the salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally until the sauce is slightly thickened for about 20 minutes.
6. Remove the pot from heat and stir in the basil. Serve immediately or cool the marinara recipe and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Pro Tips For Making This Recipe
- Use San Marzano tomatoes. These tomatoes are known for their sweet, rich flavor and low acidity, making them a popular choice for a great marinara sauce recipe. They can be more costly, but the flavor is superior and worth it whenever possible. Look for them canned at your local grocery store or Italian market.
- Adjust the seasoning. Taste the sauce before serving and adjust the seasoning as needed. You may need to add more salt, pepper, or herbs to achieve the desired flavor.
- Double the recipe. Easily make a double batch of sauce to enjoy now and freeze the rest for ready-made sauce whenever you want it!
- Optional: Add a pinch of sugar. A little sugar goes a long way to help balance the acidity of the tomatoes and enhance their natural sweetness, especially if you are using tomatoes other than San marzanos or the canned ones you have taste especially tangy. A teaspoon is usually enough to do the trick! You don’t want it sweet, just enough to balance the flavor.
- For a smoky twist, use fire-roasted tomatoes!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Make your own Marinara Sauce for easy meal prep and freeze it for later use. Allow the sauce to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. Leave some space at the top of the container, as the sauce will expand as it freezes. Store in the freezer for up to 6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or place it in a bowl of cold water to thaw more quickly. Then reheat the sauce on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through.
There are many ways to enjoy fresh marinara sauce, from pasta sauce to pizza sauce to a dipping sauce for garlic bread! Use it in homemade lasagna or baked ziti, spoon it over chicken parmesan, toss homemade meatballs in the sauce and serve it on a sub, or use it as the base for easy flatbread pizza or cheese pizza. You can also serve it as a tasty dipper for air fryer mozzarella sticks or garlic bread!
There are several ways you can switch up this simple marinara sauce recipe. If you have the time, peel and crush in-season fresh tomatoes instead of using canned tomatoes for the best flavor. You can also add a kick by sprinkling in red pepper flakes for a spicier version. Make a thicker sauce by adding 1-2 tablespoons of tomato paste, or make it smooth by blending homemade marinara sauce with an immersion blender or stand blender to your desired consistency.
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If you’ve tried this Marinara Sauce recipe, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you!
Marinara Sauce
Equipment
- Medium Saucepan
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 cup finely diced yellow onion (120g)
- 6 garlic cloves finely minced
- 1 (28-ounce/794g) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium, heat the olive oil. Add the onion, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 6 minutes. Stir in the garlic. Cook, stirring often, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, oregano, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is slightly thickened, about 20 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in basil. Serve immediately or cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Notes
- Use San Marzano tomatoes. These tomatoes are known for their sweet, rich flavor and low acidity, making them a popular choice for a great marinara sauce recipe. They can be more costly, but the flavor is superior and worth it whenever possible. Look for them canned at your local grocery store or Italian market.
- Adjust the seasoning. Taste the sauce before serving and adjust the seasoning as needed. You may need to add more salt, pepper, or herbs to achieve the desired flavor.
- Double the recipe. Easily make a double batch of sauce to enjoy now and freeze the rest for ready-made sauce whenever you want it!
- Optional: Add a pinch of sugar. A little sugar goes a long way to help balance the acidity of the tomatoes and enhance their natural sweetness, especially if you are using tomatoes other than San marzanos or the canned ones you have taste especially tangy. A teaspoon is usually enough to do the trick! You don’t want it sweet, just enough to balance the flavor.
- For a smoky twist, use fire-roasted tomatoes!
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