Homemade marinara sauce is perfect for pasta, pizza, or dipping.
This easy sauce is made with canned tomatoes and a handful of seasonings simmered until thick and flavorful.
Marinara sauce is a simple tomato sauce, perfect for pasta or preparing lasagna. Don’t let the simplicity fool you; it’s delicious.
This Is The Best Marinara Sauce Because…
- This sauce is easy to make, and the taste is deliciously fresh.
- It uses simple everyday ingredients, most of which you likely have on hand.
- It’s fresh, wholesome, and nutritious—perfect for replacing a jar or adding to recipes or pasta sauce.
- Homemade marinara sauce can be used to replace tomato sauce in most recipes.
- You can double or triple the batch and freeze it for last-minute recipes!
Ingredients for Homemade Marinara Sauce
- Tomatoes: Use a combination of crushed and canned tomatoes along with tomato paste. While it costs just slightly more, I love the fresh flavor that San Marzano tomatoes add to sauces. Fresh tomatoes can be peeled and added.
- Vegetables: Onion and garlic add flavor, while shredded carrots add sweetness and balance the tart flavor of the tomatoes.
- Sugar: Depending on the brand of tomatoes, you may not need sugar in this recipe. If the sauce is tart, add a pinch or two. You can omit the sugar entirely if you’d like.
- Seasonings: Add dried seasonings (like DIY Italian seasoning) before simmering in Step 5. Fresh herbs should be added just before serving. A few red pepper flakes or a splash of sriracha gives homemade marinara a little pep!
Marinara Sauce vs. Spaghetti Sauce
Marinara sauce is a thinner sauce than spaghetti sauce and has very few additions. Spaghetti sauce tends to be thicker, zestier, and bolder.
Variations
- Sneak in shredded zucchini or a little pureed pumpkin or squash as a natural sweetener and nutrient booster.
- Or add ground beef and turn this into a hearty homemade spaghetti sauce.
How to Make Marinara Sauce
- Saute onion, carrot, and garlic in oil until softened (.
- Add whole tomatoes and break them up with a spoon.
- Add remaining ingredients with ½ cup of water and simmer until thickened.
- Stir in basil before serving.
Besides spaghetti, use marinara sauce in chicken parmesan, for a great meat sauce, or as a dipping sauce for breadsticks.
Marinara sauce will last about 5 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container. For longer storage, it can be stored in the freezer for up to 4 months.
More Easy Tomatoe Sauces
Step up your sauce and try one of these favorites to spoon over your favorite pasta or pizza.
Easy Meat Sauce
Homemade Pizza Sauce
Did your family love this easy Marinara Sauce? Leave us a rating and a comment below!
Easy Marinara Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup finely diced onion
- ⅓ cup shredded carrot
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 28 ounces canned whole tomatoes 1 can
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1-2 teaspoons granulated sugar optional
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
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Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
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To the pot, add the finely diced onion, shredded carrot, and minced garlic. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
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Add whole canned tomatoes (juice included), breaking them apart gently with a spoon.
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Mix in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar if using, dried oregano, and season with ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Stir in ½ cup of water.
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Simmer uncovered on low heat for about 20 minutes, or until thickened to the desired consistency. Stir in fresh basil.
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Serve over spaghetti or enjoy in your favorite recipes.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Main Course, Pasta, Sauce
Cuisine Italian
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Awesome every time no matter the variations. Thank you!
Have you made this with fresh tomatoes?
I use this recipe for a fresh tomato sauce.
Extremely easy. I had all the ingredients on hand. It was amazing. A keeper!
Hello Holly, I’m sure this recipe is great as all of your recipes are. I would like to try this one. Do you bring the sauce to a boil before lowering to a simmer?
No, we bring it to a simmer in step 5.
Sounds delicious
1/4 tsp. of salt doesn’t seem near enough for all those tomatoes? How much has everyone used? I was thinking two teaspoons? Thanks for your suggestions!
We used a ¼ teaspoon of salt but you can adjust for your flavor preference!
Thanks Holly.
I haven’t made this yet, but I was wondering if it can be frozen.
Yes, it freezes well!
This is honestly the best marinara sauce I’ve tried. So easy and versatile! Thank you!
Easy to make! Make ahead to use with chicken Parmesan. The company loved it and asked for the recipe!
Good Morning Holly,
This looks great. I have two questions before I make it for the first time.
1. can this be made in a slow cooker?
2. how long will it last frozen?
thank you
Trace
Hi Trace, I have never made this recipe in the slow cooker but I think it should work well. It does freeze well though and lasts for 2-3 months.
I have used this recipe many times since I first found it. I’ve used it on homemade pizzas and pasta dishes frequently. I also have containers in the freezer. Last night it was the perfect sauce for a spinach and ricotta cannelloni meal. My star ratings are based on the reactions of those I serve meals to.
i love this sauce and so does my family. makes my homemade lasagna SO much better than store ought marinara or spaghetti sauce! thrilled. I freeze the leftovers in ziplock and thaw in fridge or warm water
Excellent recipe, made it today for my church spaghetti dinner. Everyone loved it. We had some sauces with meat, but i wanted to make a meatless, fresh and garlic rich sauce. Perfect!