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.
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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
this is by far the best marinara sauce i have made. Great for plain spagetti meal or in fabulous lasagna. Thanks Natasha! Tried and true favorite
I’m so happy to hear that, Tammy! Thanks for the feedback.
This is delicious, but tasted a bit salty. We are on low salt diet so not sure if it’s good for us or not. I read the Nutrition label, but do not see the serving size. Can you please tell me how much a is, a cup?? Thanks
Hi Ellin. Thanks for pointing that out. It’s 6 servings, 1/2 cup each. I updated the nutrition label to reflect that.
I am very excited to try this recipe and wanted to know if I can use dried basil or parsley? Would it make it difference?
Yes that will work too!
This marinara sauce is so delicious and easy to make. I’m visiting my daughter( in Meridian ) and since my son in law is a pasta lover I made this for the bake ziti pasta ! It was amazing!
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us, Adriana!
I made this in January and stored in 32 Oz Plastic Containers in the freezer. I made over six pounds by just multiplying the ingredients. Great to defrost and use with pasta or lasagna, Ziti, etc.
Hi Natasha, can i use fresh tomatoes?
Always look for your delicios ideas,thanks
Hi! I gave some tips in the recipe on using fresh tomatoes, please go to this portion of the recipe “Can I Substitute Fresh Tomatoes?”
Absolutely delish marinara sauce. So easy and well balanced.
Delicious! I made the marinara. Added tomato paste and cooked about 45 minutes. Added more basil (1/3 c). Also added a layer of Parmesan cheese on top of the cooked chicken
Will definitely make again!
This recipe is as good as it gets! I’ll never need another marinara sauce recipe! I’ve made this twice, once on pasta and a second time for chicken parmesan. It got rave reviews both times. Been looking for a marinara sauce recipe like this one for years and the search is finally over!
My apologies if this has been asked, but could this be canned?
Hi Christine. I have not tried canning this.
Fabulous flavor and so easy to make! No more jarred pasta sauce for me. Natasha, your recipes are the best! Your website is always my first stop when I’m looking for a new recipe.
You’re so welcome, Sandy! I’m so happy you loved this recipe and my site. Thank you for your wonderful review.
I didn’t have sea salt. The norm is table salt. So my sauce is extremely salty. Quite disappointing. I don’t really understand why recipes use sea salt, kosher salt etc… the norm should be table salt with options to use others.
Hi Alex, half a teaspoon of table salt should not have been too salty for this amount of sauce. I use a fine sea salt so it’s very similar. Did you accidently use half a Tablespoon or mis-measure? In that case it would be too salty.
Made this tonight. Added a little tomato paste, some fresh parm, a couple pads of butter, and some hot pepper flakes.It was delish. I also added some fresh Italian sausage. Everyone loved it. Will definitely make this one again.
DE-LICIOUS!! Again a new go to recipe with a thumbs from myself as well my family. I enjoy your videos to show me how it should look at different stages and you put that little fun in it. Your substitutions and variations rely help me along. I’m 72 and enjoy cooking .Love your recipes and thank you so very much for sharing Natasha. Waiting for the next one 😊
I’m so happy to hear the video is helpful, Darryl. Thank you so much for sharing this thoughtful comment with me! I’m smiling big reading this!
Whenever I am looking for a recipe online and one of your’s pops up I quit looking and use that. This one turned out great too. So simple and easy to make but it sure packs a punch of flavor!!!
Hi John! That’s so great to hear. I’m glad you’re enjoying my recipes.
Love all your recipes Natasha. Can I use red onion in this?
Hi Juan! Yes, you can use red onion. It will add a slightly sweeter and milder flavor compared to yellow or white onions though.
I’ve made this marinara sauce. It was GREAT!!! I’m having trouble finding the San Marzano crushed tomatoes. Will whole tomatoes work. If I crush them in a blender? Thanks!
Hello! I’m glad you loved this sauce! As for your question, yes you can use whole tomatoes as long as you crush them in a blender and simmer slowly. Enjoy!
Loved it..I couldn’t find fresh basil but I think adding dried in the same quantity really adds to it.
Looking forward to making this! My daughter prefers a smother marina that isn’t too chunky. Any advice? Simmer longer? Thanks!
Hi Julie! You can blend the tomatoes prior to adding them to the pot if they are too thick and chunky.
When you say “blend”, does that mean put them in the blender? I prefer a smoother sauce also.
Hi Cindy! Yes, you can put them in a blender. Or use an emersion blender when your sauce is done to make it more smooth.
Immersion blender – starts with I, not e.