Homemade Marinara Sauce doesn’t get any easier! This requires just a handful of ingredients – tomatoes, onion, garlic, oregano, and basil, and a quick 20-minute simmer for a memorable Italian Marinara.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
Marinara Sauce Recipe
Everyone needs a great pasta sauce in their recipe collection, and this one is a keeper. It is a simple tomato-based sauce made with onions, garlic, and herbs. It originated in Italy and is used in many Italian-American dishes like Chicken Parmesan, Spaghetti and Meatballs, or Baked Ziti.
Once you try this, you’ll ditch the canned marinara sauce – it’s fresher, more flavorful, doesn’t have hidden preservatives, excess sugar or salt, etc, and you can customize it. I use this homemade marinara sauce to elevate any recipe that calls for Marinara Sauce.
Marinara Sauce Video Tutorial
I hope this Marinara recipe becomes a new favorite go-to recipe for you.
Helpful Reader Review
“I love that this marinara recipe was so quick to make! It was easy, too. It’s absolutely delicious!! One of the best I’ve ever had, and I cook often.” – Shalay ★★★★★
Ingredients for Homemade Marinara Sauce
The ingredients are pantry staples like canned tomatoes 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.
- Olive Oil – Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for extra flavor
- Onions and Garlic – aromatics that add sweetness and depth of flavor
- Crushed Tomatoes – “San Marzano Tomatoes.” San Marzano is an Italian variety of plum tomatoes and the gold standard of Italian Marinara. They are known for their sweet flavor and low acidity for a more authentic marinara sauce.
- Simple Seasonings – I used dried oregano because I always keep that on hand, but you can use fresh oregano. To substitute fresh oregano, add 1 1/2 tsp or 3 times the amount of dried oregano. You’ll also need salt and pepper to round out the flavors.
- Fresh Herbs – you can use either chopped fresh basil or parsley, depending on what you have on hand. they both add vibrant Italian flavors when stirred in at the very end.
Substitutions & Variations
- Heat – add a pinch of red pepper flakes when adding dried herbs.
- Tomato Paste – add 2 tsp tomato paste before adding crushed tomatoes to add depth of flavor.
- Parmesan Rind – if you have a rind on hand, simmer it in the sauce for extra richness then remove before serving.
- Italian Seasoning – swap dried oregano with Italian seasoning for a more complex flavor.
- Tomatoes – if you don’t have crushed tomatoes, you can use whole peeled San Marzano canned tomatoes and crush by hand or use fire roasted canned tomatoes for a smoky flavor profile.
- To Balance Acidity – some canned tomatoes can be more acidic. You can simmer with a peeled carrot or add a bit of sugar (start with 1/2 tsp) to balance the acidity.
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.
Pro Tip: Use Non-Reactive Cookware
When making marinara sauce, always use a non-reactive saucepan such as stainless steel, enameled cast iron or a ceramic-coated pot. Avoid aluminum or uncoated cast iron which can react with the acidity of tomatoes to create a metallic taste and even discolor your sauce.
Is Marinara Sauce the Same as Pasta Sauce?
They are similar and sometimes used interchangeably in recipes, but they do have some big differences in ingredients and cooking times.
- Marinara sauce – cooks quickly in under 30 minutes with lighter and fresher flavors and a shorter list of ingredients like tomatoes, garlic, onion, herbs, and olive oil.
- Pasta Sauce (Italian tomato sauce) – is slowly simmered for 1 to 4 hours. Includes more aromatics like carrots and celery as well as wine, broth, and sometimes meat as with Bolognese Sauce.
Storing Homemade Marinara
- To Refrigerate: Once your marinara has cooled completely to room temperature, transfer it to an airtight container or glass jar with a lid and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Add cooled marinara sauce to freezer-safe ziptop bags or containers, remove excess air, and leave a little room for expansion, then freeze flat for up to 3 months.
- To Reheat: Thaw frozen sauce in the refrigerator, or you can quick-thaw zip-top bags in a bowl of warm water for 15-20 minutes. Reheat over low heat on the stovetop in a non-reactive pan. Add a splash of water if it gets too thick.
How to Use Marinara Sauce
This recipe is so versatile. Use it for any recipe that calls for Marinara Sauce, from tossing with homemade pasta to casseroles or even instead of pizza sauce on my favorite Overnight Pizza Dough or as a dipping sauce for Stromboli. Here are my favorite ways to use homemade marinara:
- Stuffed Chicken Parmesan
- Lasagna
- Eggplant Parmesan
- Juicy Meatball Recipe
- Spaghetti Meat Sauce
- Meatballs Parmesan
- Lasagna Roll-Ups
- Manicotti
- Zucchini Lasagna
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
- 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.
- 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.
- Finally, stir in 1 Tbsp chopped fresh basil then turn off the heat.
Notes
Nutrition Per Serving
Filed Under
Love this recipe, so easy to make and taste so good!
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us, Sharon!
This is my go to marinara sauce! I don’t buy store bought sauce anymore. It’s so easy to make and you always have the ingredients in your pantry.
The best marinara ever. !! I love making this
I’m happy to hear that, Pamela! It’s our go-to recipe too!
I made this recipe and it rivals my daughter’s Italian Mother in Law’s. It was so flavourful and easy enough to make. I actually doubled the recipe because I knew it would be very good. I have frozen several servings of the sauce for the next Lasagna I will be making and I will make it again. It is my Go-To recipe now.Highly recommend this to anyone who appreciates a great tomato sauce recipe.
This marinara tastes so much better than anything I ever bought in a store. The flavor of the aromatics is spot-on and the olive oil adds the perfect weight to the tongue. It’s my “go to” sauce from now on. Thanks so much.
That’s wonderful to hear, Daniel!
A great foundational sauce to catapult tons of recipes to the next level, from basic meatballs and spaghetti to lasagna. It is fresh, uses only wholesome ingredients…none of the added sugars, citric acid or natural flavors that wreak havoc on your microbiome. Great stuff! Natasha is the GOAT!
Thank you so much, Janet!
I made this using the same tomatoes you have in your video and, what a difference! This recipe comes together so easy and it’s perfect! Ty!
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Angel!
Can u use this sauce to make baked lasagna
Thanks
Hi Hanan! Yes, we use it in our lasagna recipe too!
Hi Natasha. I just wanted to let you know that I love all of your recipes. Cooking seems to be my hobby so when I am looking for something new, you are always my “go to”. This marinara is just perfect, onions and all
I’m so happy to hear that, Debbie!
This was great and easy for me to whip up for my son while I’m sick lol
I use a large portion of basil in my version and toss pre cooked Italian sausage for a spectacular meal!
Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Mike!
I’m sure its good, but Marinara does not have onions.
I hope you try out version soon!
How is this helpful? This may not be “traditional” or “100% authentic” but plenty of marinara recipes online contain onions for additional flavor, and this one is simple and delicious.
Sure it does. If it doesn’t it wouldn’t be very good. Almost everything has onions.
I make this sauce all the time. Everyone loves it. Its winter so no fresh basil. I can’t run to the store so how much dried s
Do I use?
Yes, you can use dry herbs. Because dried herbs are often more potent and concentrated than fresh herbs, you’ll need to use less. The recommended ratio ends up being 1 teaspoon of dried herbs for ever tablespoon of fresh herbs. I hope that helps.
I made your marinara sauce and now I’m making the meat sauce and it calls for a jar of marinara sauce. Is that 3 cups?
Yes the serving size for this recipe is 3 cups.
Easy to make, delicious to taste Thanks Natasha
You are very welcome, Lillie!
Just made this sauce for lunch and it’s very delicious. Since it’s only the two of us was wis wrong if I could freeze some of it?
Hi Sandy! I’m so glad you loved it. Yes. To Store Homemade Marinara Sauce: transfer to a sealed jar or Tupperware container and refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. You can add the basil when you initially make the sauce or add it fresh when you reheat the sauce.
Easy and delicious! I’ve made it 3 times now. My new go-to recipe for marinara sauce.
So glad to hear that, Linda!