Easy Homemade Marinara Sauce (VIDEO)
Homemade Marinara Sauce doesn’t get any easier! This requires just a handful of ingredients and 20 minutes on the stove for a memorable Italian Marinara. Everyone needs a great pasta sauce in their recipe collection and this one is a keeper.
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What is Marinara Sauce?
Mariana is the same thing as a pasta sauce or spaghetti sauce. It is a tomato-based sauce made with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and herbs. It originated in Italy and is used in many Italian-American dishes like Chicken Parmesan or Spaghetti and Meatballs.
Ingredients for Marinara Sauce:
The ingredients are pantry staples that we always keep on hand so it’s easy to whip up. Since the ingredient list is very short, make sure to source the best quality ingredients you can find.
We used extra virgin olive oil for extra flavor and “San Marzano Crushed Tomatoes.” San Marzano is an Italian variety of plum tomato and the gold standard of Italian Marinara.
Can I Substitute Fresh Tomatoes?
Fresh tomatoes would essentially have to be turned into crushed tomatoes with the added steps of blanching and peeling the tomatoes then simmering them down to the correct consistency which will really increase the time for making homemade marinara.
If you’re looking for a marinara sauce with fresh tomatoes, make sure to check out our Mushroom Mariana Sauce.
How to Make Marinara Sauce:
A saucepan and spatula are all you need to make a homemade marinara sauce that tastes better than any canned version. Watch the Video Tutorial below and you will memorize this recipe in no time.
- Place a medium saucepan over medium heat and add 2 Tbsp olive oil. Add diced onion and saute until soft (5 minutes), then stir in garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add crushed tomatoes, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer partially covered for 15 minutes.
- Stir in chopped fresh basil and remove from heat.
Watch the Marinara Sauce Video Tutorial:
I hope this Marinara recipe becomes a new favorite go-to recipe for you. P.S. If this video doesn’t load right away, give it a few seconds. You’ll see a faded horizontal image of pasta sauce then click the play button in the center. To view the video, make sure to temporarily pause your ad blockers on your browser.
Our Favorite Ways to Use Pasta Sauce:
This recipe is so versatile. Use it for any recipe that calls for Marinara Sauce.
- Stuffed Chicken Parmesan – You’ll love what we put inside
- Lasagna – Homemade marinara makes the absolute best lasagna
- Juicy Meatball Recipe – meatballs smothered in marinara are perfect for meatball subs
- Spaghetti Meat Sauce – Add ground beef to this homemade marinara for an easy dinner
- Lasagna Roll-Ups – you’ll love the simplicity of making and serving these
Homemade Marinara Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, 1/2 cup chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 Tbsp fresh basil, or parsley, finely minced, plus more to garnish
Instructions
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Place a medium saucepan over medium heat and add 2 Tbsp olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add 1/2 cup chopped onion stirring often until soft and golden (about 5 min). Add minced garlic and stir 1 min, or until fragrant.
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Stir in 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 1/2 tsp oregano, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Bring to a light boil then reduce heat and simmer partially covered for 15 minutes.
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Finally, stir in 1 Tbsp chopped fresh basil then turn off the heat.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
Natasha Kravchuk
Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
This is my go to marinara sauce! It’s quick, simple AND delicious! I serve over zucchini noodles for me and pasta for the rest of the family!
Sounds great and I’m glad that this is your go-to recipe!
Today my dinner required marinara sauce but then I realized I was all out of my favorite Raos (I do have to admit it’s one of the best jarred marinara sauce out there) I remembered that you have a very simple and easy recipe and proceeded making it, it came out so delicious. I’ve added a good splash of white wine, extra garlic, extra fresh basil and a mountain of Parmesan cheese when serving. So much flavor and the texture was spot on. Thank you Natasha.
Love it, thanks for sharing that with us. Good to know that you loved this recipe!
This was very easy and very good first time i made marinara .just put over some pasta and my wife and I loved it will make it agin when i make chicken parm.This is a winner
Hello Bobby, good to hear that you both enjoyed this recipe!
I loved this recipe when I first made it and it is wayy better than any canned marinara sauce but now I need to use this for a soup so approximately how many ounces is the marinara sauce?
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Katy! This recipe makes 3 cups of marinara sauce which is equivalent to 24 ounces.
This is your 3rd recipe I have tried. I tried your Pita, Mascarpone cheesecake and now this sauce.
Excellent results in all three cases. I love your videos. and this is the first time I am commenting on a cooking website.
Wow! Thank you for your wonderful review, Shivanshi! I hope you get to try more recipes soon!
Natasha, If I’m using fresh tomatoes would I use the same amount as I would using canned crushed tomatoes?
Hi Shelley, reference the recipe notes for tips on “Can I Substitute Fresh Tomatoes?”
My hubby dislikes basil, can I get away with dried basil?, if so how much do you think??. 🙂
Hi Lisa, that would be fine. You can add it to taste, per your preference. Usually when using a dry herb versus fresh, you’ll need to add more.
This sauce was the most delicious easy sauce to make at home. I used the tomatoes you suggested and it came out a little extra chunky. Do you emulsify yours at all?. Yours looks a little smoother.
Hi Lisa, I do not. Have not needed to do so. You can if you’d like it thinner.
Lisa, you can also skip the basil altogether and just use dried oregano instead.
Followed everything except I didn’t have fresh basil so used dry. It was my first time making marinara sauce but it came out delicious! I’ll never have Sunday marinara from a jar again thank you!
You’re welcome. Homemade is so much better and I’m glad you think so too!
Made this today and it was delish. I made meatballs with it. Serving it with Angle hair pasta .
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Liz!
This recipe looks delicious. My question is. Is marinara sauce a thick or thin sauce? Which is your recipe? If thin. Can it be thickened? Thanks
It is not too thick but it’s not super runny either. If you end up making it and it is not the consistency you’re looking for, you can thicken it with flour or cornstarch.
You really should just thicken by simmering over low heat with no lid on it.
Is there a way to cut the recipe in half because my husband would be the only one eating it? The recipe is to much for 1 person?
Hi Joan! You can halve the recipe! I recommend clicking” Jump to recipe” at the top of the post. It will take you to our printable recipe, where you’ll have the option to change the number of servings. Hover over the number of servings highlighted in red and slide it to how many servings you would like to make. I hope that helps!
I loved this! I used your recipe for marinara sauce and it made everything absolutely perfect!
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Ellie!
Natasha,
I made your Marinara recipe tonight..it was the best I’ve made in a long time. From now on this is my go to recipe. Baked, crispy, Eggplant parmesan tomorrow with left over marinara. I’ve made many of your recipes and have never been disappointed with the results.
That’s good news, Linn. Thank you for the review and I hope you’ll love all the recipes that you will try.
This sounds great! For added flavor, chop up 1 carrot and 1 celery stalk ad well. You can add it at the same time you put your onions in the pan.
Thanks for sharing that with us, Fred.
Natasha, this was the first time I made Marinara sauce and this recipe is absolutely delicious. This will be my go to recipe.
By the way, cooking through your recipes, I’m learning how to cook. Thank you.
Yay, great to hear that you loved this sauce. Thanks for your good comments and feedback, Susanna!
This Marinara sauce is so easy and delicious. I made this for my brother-in-law who said he never orders Marinara in a restaurant because it’s too bland. He loved this recipe. I’ve made it a couple times now, and added some meatballs to it. Love it!
Oops, I meant to give this rating 5 Stars… Not sure why only 4 are showing.
Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
This was amazing we had it with the chicken Parmesan and what fan we are now! Use the sauce with the meatballs on a sub and that was amazing. Thank you!
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite, Lorretta!
Where does that much sodium come from? Is it in the canned tomatoes? Thanks.
Hi Barbara, there’s 1/2 tsp sea salt in the recipe
This sauce is excellent! I added in 1/2 teaspoon dried basil and skipped the fresh. It was a hit with the family! Yum! So simple and delicious, thank you!
Thanks for the awesome review, Angela. Glad you loved it!
Thank you for this recipe. I love making my own sauce and having the option of adjusting flavors rather than being a slave to jarred sauce. Keep it up!!!
Thank you, Dave!
It saws 3 cups total, 180 calories per serving, but what is the number of servings.
Hi Pam, servings: 3 cups of marinara sauce
I too was wondering how many servings. How much sauce is in each serving. I’m guessing 1/2 or 1/4 cup per serving?
Hey Judy,
I think she’s saying it makes 3×1 cup servings.
So, 1 Serving = 1 cup = 180cal?
Hi Ken, you are correct. The nutrition label is per cup of marinara. It really depends on how it’s served. If you do 1/4 cup per serving, you would divide the nutrition label by 4.
Natasha
I love this recipe!! So thank you.
I do have a question-could I put the jars in a canner to preserve them in my cold room so they will last longer?
Thanks
Carolann
Hi Carolann, I haven’t tried canning this. To Store Homemade Marinara Sauce: transfer to a sealed jar or Tupperware container and refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months.
Natasha I made the Baled Ziti tonight for dinner and it was delicious! Thanks for another great recipe 💕
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Ronda!
Thank you Natasha for this great recipe it was so tasty, all plates were cleared even by my husband who says he doesn’t like pasta ,haha .I shall make another batch to keep in the freezer.I do love your recipes and videos and look forward to trying more .Thank you so much .
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Jane!
I’m cooking for just me and my son, and I’m on keto so I’d just use the sauce as a ‘treat’ on the meatballs. So being able to make a batch and freeze a decent portion for later use would be handy. What kind of container would I put this in so as to freeze it?
Thanks,
Eric
Hi Eric, To Store Homemade Marinara Sauce: transfer to a sealed jar or Tupperware container and refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months.
This recipe would have to be doubled to make your baked ziti recipe, correct?
Hi Tammy! That’s right! It would help if you made a bit more since the bakes ziti calls for more. I hope you love this recipe.
Hi there! I just love your recipes! Can this marinara sauce be made ahead of time? Thanks!
Hello Linda, good to know that you’re enjoying my recipes. To Store Homemade Marinara Sauce: transfer to a sealed jar or Tupperware container and refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months.
There is beauty in simplicity. I made this and I will never use store bought again. It was the best I ever tasted. I will cop to adding a can of rotelle and a few ounces of tomato paste.
That’s fantastic feedback, Andrew. Thank you for your review and totally agree, this is way better than storebought!
Never buying store bought again… ever. So delicious, so easy. I added some fresh basil from our plant and it was AH-amazing!! Thank you for ANOTHER staple recipe.
You’re so welcome! I’m glad you loved it and I also prefer homemade always.
I wanted to make pizza, and there was no pizza sauce left… then I saw this simple recipe! Thank you!
You’re welcome! Glad you liked it.
I had an important meal to plan for my past Co workers there would be 6 of us. We worked together for 20 yrs. So this was important to me. I was browsing and came across this Recipe – I had made this meal 100 times years ago but my chicken was always dry. This recipe was amazing so juicy and easy to pre prepare. I made extra chicken – for my Thurs Guests coming and it was a hit again .
That is nice! I’m glad the recipe was a hit. I hope you and your guests will enjoy every recipe that you will try.
Just finshed baked ziti for first time. Waitng for family comments . I sur think it’s a winner !
I hope they all enjoy it, Paula!
Hi Natasha, I love your cooking videos. You make great food recipes. And you are so beautiful and funny. Wish you the best. Thank you!
You’re so nice! Thank you for that wonderful compliment!
Can I use this recipe for canning
Hi Deb, I haven’t tried canning this. To Store Homemade Marinara Sauce: transfer to a sealed jar or Tupperware container and refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months.
This marinara is SO SO easy but it is fabulous!! Thanks for sharing you recipe!
You’re welcome, Rebecca! I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
I made this for lunch and added spicy Italian sausage to the sauce. My kiddos loved it!! No more stored bought marinara sauce.
Awesome! Homemade is always a better option so I’m happy that you and your family liked it!
It’s so refreshing to NOT see sugar as one of the ingredients in your recipe for the Marinara sauce!
It is also possible to find crushed tomatoes that don’t have sugar added. It really changes the flavor (to me) if sugar is added to the tomatoes or the sauce. Made me really happy to NOT see sugar added. A GLORIOUS Marinara sauce! Bless you and yours, Natasha🥰
Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I’m happy you enjoyed this recipe, Connie!
My husband is allergic to white onions may I substitute shallots in this recipe?
Hi Donna, I haven’t tried that yet but I imagine that will work too. Please share with us how it goes if you do an experiment.
I printed recipe for “6” cups and got very confused, until I realized the quantities in INGREDIENTS increased accordingly, but values in instructions did not.
Hi Joe, that is correct, only the list of instructions adjust, but the recipe instructions portion is not advanced enough to adjust. I wish that technology was available but as of right now, our recipe card does not have that option.
I made this and it was so delicious with your Parmesan chicken!
So I went to buy crushed tomatoes again and the shopper accidentally gave me fire roasted crushed tomatoes. Do you think that would taste ok or should I go get regular crushed? Thanks!
Hi Rachel, I honestly haven’t tried that yet to advise how it would taste like. If you do an experiment, please share with us too how it goes.
Dear Natasha
I am making the stuffed shells and your marinara sauce for my family dinner tonight. I am so grateful for your recipes and your videos.
You take the fear out of trying something new. All your recipes give me courage to try something new as I now hope to be a good cook. Love Sylvia
Hi Sylvia, sounds like a great plan for dinner! I hope your family will enjoy this recipe. Thank you too for your appreciation and kind words. it is so inspiring!
This was very easy and delicious. Made along with the baked ziti recipe. Best ever!
The recipe only yields 3 cups, the ziti recipe calls for 5 cups of sauce. Should double the sauce next time?
Thanks,
Hi Jeff, yes that would be correct!
I made your baked ziti recipe with this sauce, and it was an absolute HIT. I used hot Italian sausage in place of the ground beef. It was a 10/10 for my family.
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite!
The marinara is so easy, so quick, and totally YUMMY !! Much better than any jarred marinara. It’s twice as good the next day after flavors have a chance to meld.
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!
Can’t wait to try this! I love all of your recipes. Just curious, what brand are those blue pots that you’re using in the cooking video for the marinara sauce? TIA!
I’m so glad you’re enjoying our recipes! Some of our pots are from Le Creuset.but you can find our favorite tools in our Amazon Shop HERE and our blog shop HERE.
So very good. I’ve been looking for a delicious not too complicated marinara sauce. This is a huge Winner!
I’m so glad you liked this recipe, Jill. Thanks for sharing that with us!
hello just a tip dry herbs should be rubbed between palms of yer hands and added while onion is sautéing so they release their stored oils with fragrance and taste. then add tomato. and deff. the bread shown ,if crushed tomato not available get whole ones more available and just toss in a blender “Good Eating “
BRAND shown is da best
Thank you so much for sharing that with us, Joseph!
Hi Natasha,
Can you make extra marinara and store it. If so, whats a good procedure of storing it correctly. Thanks,
David Kent
Ps. The baked ziti was a hit. Thank you. My family loved it.
Thanks for your good comments, David. To Store Homemade Marinara Sauce: transfer to a sealed jar or Tupperware container and refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months.
Next time, try using San Marzano tomatoes, hand crushed. This tomato comes in it’s own thick sauce. They also work very well in other pasta dishes over regular canned tomatoes. My opinion, but try it.
Thank you so much for sharing that with me!
Can I use whole tomatoes to make the sauce?
Hi Janet, in my experience, crushed tomatoes have a little less juice content than whole tomatoes. It’s perfectly ok to crush them yourself but I would drain off and reserve some of the liquid in the can and then add it if needed.
I have cans of whole tomatoes, if I crush them myself would it work just as well? Seems a silly question but…..
Hi Janet, in my experience, crushed tomatoes have a little less juice content than whole tomatoes. It’s perfectly ok to crush them yourself but I would drain off and reserve some of the liquid in the can and then add it if needed.
Hi Natasha!
I haven’t tried the recipe yet but, I wanted to ask if you can use it for pizza sauce?
Hello Nicole, I haven’t tried that yet to advise. I have a pizza sauce recipe here too that you might want to check
I just made your marinara sauce. It’s really good! I’ve been looking for a really good marinara sauce. I tried Lidia Bastianich’s recipe and yours. Yours is by far better. 😃
yay, you loved it! Thank you for your amazing feedback, Elizabeth.
What is the best way to reheat as we only ate 1/2 last night?
Hi like to reheat on the stovetop in a saucepan. You can also refrigerate and keep it for several days before reheating it.
Just made the marinara sauce and it’s so good. I’m going to make the baked ziti and wanted to make everything from scratch. Harvesting the last of my basil to use with it and it smells wonderful. Thank you for another great recipe!
Wonderful feedback, thank you so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed the marinara sauce and I hope you will enjoy the baked ziti too, Patricia.
Can you use dried basil? If so, how much? Ty!
I would like to know this too.
Just cooked the Meat Sauce and the Marinara and it was/is amazing…No more jar marinara’s… Love your videos and your recipes.
I’m so happy to hear that, Linda! Homemade definitely rocks!
I just made your Zita and it was delicious! We are having leftovers today but I need more marinara sauce. I was going to make your homemade recipe but I only have a can of petite diced tomatoes. Can I substitute them for crushed tomatoes?
Hello Patti, I haven’t tried that yet but I imagine that should work well too. Please let us know how it goes if you try it!
I made your Chicken Parmesan and we loved it. Just wondering if you Alfredo sauce recipe I could use instead. My daughters stomach can’t take the acid from the tomatoes.
Hi Shirley, I haven’t tried that yet to advise. If you do an experiment, please share with us if you liked that version.
love all your recipes. been constantly following your vlogs. thank you for sharing your mouth watering recipes. my children always look forward to what am going to cook!
You are most welcome and thank you so much for always watching my videos. I hope you enjoy all the recipes that you try!
The sauce do I need to double it for the Sita recipe
You mean for the baked ziti? Yes that’s about right since the marinara sauce makes 3 cups of sauce.
Should I double the recipe for the marinara sauce to make your baked ziti? Thanks!
Hello Paola, yes that’s about right since the marinara sauce makes 3 cups of sauce.
I started watching your videos because we have the same first name. My mother is from Poland and my father was from Germany. You’re a much better cook then I am. I love your down to earth recipes.
Aww, that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me!
It’s funny you call it Marinara Sauce, when it has no seafood in it. Pasta Marinara would have seafood in it in a restaurant.
“In Italy, alla marinara refers to a sauce made with tomatoes, basil, and oregano, but also sometimes olives, capers and salted anchovies; it is used for spaghetti and vermicelli, but also with meat or fish.This is not to be confused with spaghetti marinara, a popular dish in Australia, New Zealand, Spain and South Africa, in which a tomato-based sauce is mixed with fresh seafood. In Italy, a pasta sauce including seafood is more commonly called alla pescatora.”
Can I use a can of tomato sauce instead of crushed tomatoes? My hubs HATES when there are tomato pieces in sauce lol.
Hi Brittani, using a puree will make it taste and seem more like a tomato sauce than a marinara. I highly recommend crushed tomatoes.
Hello! On the nutritional facts – how much is one serving per person?
Hi Victoria, this makes 3 cups of marinara and the nutrition label is per cup of marinara which is probably way more than one serving, and the per-person serving really depends on what you are using the sauce for.
Hi Natasha,
Can i use tomato puree instead of crushed tomatoes?
Hi Julie, using a puree will make it taste and seem more like a tomato sauce than a marinara. I highly recommend crushed tomatoes.
How long can this be simmered to develop more flavor? Up to a few hours?
You can simmer it partially covered for about 15 minutes
Are those pots from cruet? Love to buy some.
Hi Jo-Anne, I responded to your previous comment but I’ll had here that yes, some of our pots are from Le Creuset.
Is it ok to use dried basil instead of fresh? Thank you!
Hello Mary, we prefer fresh but dried will also work
Made it, loved it. But would like to know where you bought those great pots you were using, the blue ones.
Hi Jo-Anne, you can find all our favorite pots and tools in our Blog Shop HERE or our Amazon Shop HERE. I hope you find what you are looking for.
I love watching your cooking videos! I love how excited you get to eat your food. I am like that, too. I love to eat. Haha. Anyway, I am excited to try this pasta sauce and make lasagna! Oh, if you have any recipes for zucchini, please let me know or post some videos. I love zucchini, and we have a lot of it growing in our garden!
I’m so glad you’re enjoying our videos! We have a few Zucchini Recipes Here, I hope you give these a try soon!
Would like to know if this recipe for fresh marinara sauce can be canned for later use?
Hi Alisa, I haven’t tried canning this. To Store Homemade Marinara Sauce: transfer to a sealed jar or Tupperware container and refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months.
Hello natasha i love all your videos and recipe i always do them but i have question i want to do this one but do you know if i can use fresh tomatoes instead please ??
Fresh tomatoes would essentially have to be turned into crushed tomatoes with the added steps of blanching and peeling the tomatoes then simmering them down to the correct consistency which will really increase the time for making homemade marinara.
If you’re looking for a marinara sauce with fresh tomatoes, make sure to check out our Mushroom Mariana Sauce.
Okay , thank you
Question, do you have to puree after the cookin?
Hi Laney, pureeing is not necessary.
Yum! Can’t wait to try so I no longer have to buy it! It must taste delicious!!!
Also, for those seeking for a more cleaner and healthier alternative to the ones you like in amazon – the ingredients are not what I like And they are from USA after doing research on them. However, Trader Joe’s sells San Marazano and they are delicious!!!! Only ingredients are: San Mariano whole peeked tonatoes, San Marzano purée, salt. And basil leaf!!! So it already has the basil leaf, although adding fresh would be yummy also! These tomatoes are also from Italy! Pretty sweet how Trader Joe’s carries them!
Thanks for the awesome recipe, you rock!
Nice suggestions – thank you for sharing some tips with us and for your great review!
I’ll be making this today for our spaghetti dinner. But wanted to know how long can I store leftover sauce? And freezer or fridge only?
We make spaghetti every 2 weeks or so
Hi Mona, To Store Homemade Marinara Sauce: transfer to a sealed jar or Tupperware container and refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months.
I made your recipe for Chicken Parmesan and it was fantastic! I made the Marinara sauce too! I loved it as well! Thank you so much for sharing your recipes with us!
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!
This looks incredible, but I would love to triple the recipe so I have extras, is that possible or do I need to cut down on garlic, onions or oil? I don’t want it to become too greasy. Thanks in advance
Hi Tara, that should work, I’d love to know how this turns out if he experiments.
So good! I just love how much fresher this sauces tastes compared to the stuff we normally use.
It is one of our favorites also. Thank you for sharing your wonderful feedback with us.
Homemade pasta sauce is the best! This looks amazing. 🙂
Thank you so much, Carrie! It really is so tasty and I think most people are surprised at how easy it is.
YUM love this classic and simple sauce. I ate it over pasta at dinner. Then had leftover sauce for dipping the next day. So versatile.
That’s just awesome!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review Lisalia!