Learn how to make super easy Marinara Sauce in under 30 minutes! Pair it with your preferred pasta, meatballs, lasagna, veggies, and beyond! This versatile sauce complements a wide range of dishes and freezes beautifully!
Homemade sauces are easy and quick to make, try our spaghetti sauce or pesto next!
Jump To
- 🛒Ingredients
- 📋Tips
- Can I replace marinara sauce with tomato sauce?
- What Is The Difference Between Marinara Sauce And Spaghetti Sauce?
- Storage Instructions
- Where To Use Marinara Sauce
- More Italian Recipes
- Did You Try This Recipe?
- 📖Recipe
- 🥣How To Make Marinara - Step By Step
- 🤷Frequently Asked Questions
- More You'll Like
- 💬 Comments
🛒Ingredients
- Crushed tomatoes form the base of this marinara sauce, combined with sautéed onion and garlic for extra flavor.
- A dash of red pepper flakes adds a touch of heat, while dried Italian herbs lend that traditional Italian flavor.
- Salt, black pepper, and a hint of sugar combine to balance the flavors harmoniously.
Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.
📋Tips
- Add a touch of sugar - it will help balance the acidity of regular tomatoes, but it's worth noting that the acidity can vary between brands of crushed tomatoes. Some brands may already have lower acidity levels, so adjust according to taste and the specific brand you're using. Adjust according to taste preference.
- For a spicy kick, consider sprinkling in some crushed red pepper flakes.
- If we are serving it with pasta, we love to sprinkle in some freshly grated Parmesan. It's always a hit with the family!
- I like the chunky texture of crushed tomatoes, but for a smoother sauce, blend it with an immersion blender or transfer it carefully to a blender.
Can I replace marinara sauce with tomato sauce?
Yes, you can use marinara or tomato sauce interchangeably. For instance, both can be used with pasta, but the richer, more complex tomato sauce might overpower lighter dishes, whereas marinara is less suitable for coating proteins or layering in lasagnas.
What Is The Difference Between Marinara Sauce And Spaghetti Sauce?
Pasta sauce boasts a more robust flavor profile than marinara, attributed to extra ingredients and extended cooking. In terms of consistency, traditional marinara tends to be thinner, while pasta sauce gains a thicker texture through prolonged cooking.
Storage Instructions
- 🍱To Store. Marinara sauce can be stored in the refrigerator, in a jar or airtight container, for up to 5 days.
- 🥶Freezing. It can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Where To Use Marinara Sauce
- Baked Ziti and other baked pasta dishes
- Spaghetti and pasta
- Eggplant or Chicken Parmesan
- Zucchini noodles
- Pizza, galette and flatbreads
- Roasted vegetables
More Italian Recipes
📖Recipe
Quick Marinara Sauce Recipe (With Canned Tomatoes)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 medium onion, or shallot, diced fine
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 pinch of ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
- ½ teaspoon sugar, optional
- 1 can, 15 oz crushed tomatoes
Instructions
- Heat oil in a medium pan, add onion, and cook until translucent (about 4 minutes).1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 medium onion
- Add minced garlic, cook for another minute, then add tomatoes, salt, pepper, spices, and sugar. Bring to a boil, then simmer with the lid on for 15 minutes.½ teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 clove garlic, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 pinch of ground black pepper, 1 can, ½ teaspoon sugar
- Stir in fresh basil, then remove from heat. Your quick marinara sauce is ready to elevate pasta, lasagna, pizza, or serve as a dip! Enjoy!2 tablespoon fresh basil
Notes
- The sauce is gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and vegetarian!
- To Store. Marinara sauce can be stored in the refrigerator, in a jar or airtight container, for up to 5 days.
- Freezing. It can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
🥣How To Make Marinara - Step By Step
- Heat oil in a medium pan, add onion, and cook until translucent (about 4 minutes).
- Add minced garlic, cook for another minute, then add tomatoes, salt, pepper, spices, and sugar. Bring to a boil, then simmer with the lid on for 15 minutes.
- Stir in fresh basil, then remove from heat. Your quick marinara sauce is ready to elevate pasta, lasagna, pizza, or serve as a dip! Enjoy!
❤️Did you make this recipe? Please be sure to leave a rating and a comment below. Thank you!❤️
🤷Frequently Asked Questions
It will take a lot more time. You'll need to blanch, peel, and simmer them until just right. It's extra effort compared to using crushed tomatoes, but believe me, the flavor payoff is worth it!
Pizza sauce and marinara sauce share similarities but have distinct differences. Pizza sauce is typically thicker in consistency as the tomatoes are pureed rather than lightly blended. It's commonly spread on pizza crust before baking. In contrast, marinara sauce is served as a dip or topping and tends to have a thinner consistency.
easy and delicious marinara sauce made with crushed tomatoes, use it in pastas, lasagne, pizza and grilled meats!
Making this tonight to go with grilled chicken! Looks so delicious!
thank you William!
Hey Rita, love this marinara sauce idea. Do you think it'd freeze well? Trying to meal prep for a crazy month ahead. Thanks!
it freezes well Tara!
Interesting read on the difference between marinara and spaghetti sauce. I always thought they were the same thing! Gonna try this recipe next time.
can i use diced tomatoes instead of crushed for the sauce? not sure what i got in the pantry.
yes both crushed or diced tomatoes will work!
Rita, this marinara sauce turned out amazing! It was a hit with my spaghetti last night. Thanks for sharing such an easy recipe. 🙂
this marinara recipe is legit. easy and cheap, perfect for my budget.
I've followed the provided marinara sauce recipe closely but found that a slight modification in the seasoning proportions enhances the flavor profile significantly. May I suggest a variation? Incorporating a dash of smoked paprika and a teaspoon of honey balances the acidity and adds a subtle smokiness.
Thank you for this delightful recipe, Rita. It was quite a treat to make and even more so to eat. Reminds me of my travel to Italy.
turned out delicious
thank you!
Just made the marinara sauce and it's divine! I served it over handmade pasta and the flavors were just explosive. Highly recommend following Rita's recipe to the letter. It's a game changer for any pasta dish.
Tried making this sauce last night. Let's just say, I'm no chef, but this recipe made me feel like one! Easy to follow and tasted great. Who knew I could cook? Cheers, Rita.