This is my favorite Homemade Marinara Sauce Recipe because it's simple to prepare, and it makes the whole kitchen smell amazing while it simmers. It's a small way to bring authentic Italian taste into your home, and it's much better than anything from a store. If you want dinner ideas that are quick and family-approved, add this one to your weekly rotation!
Maybe part of the reason I love it so much is that Italian food is in my blood. My mom and both sets of grandparents came to America from Italy, so I grew up with the flavors of homemade sauce. Sure, I reach for a jar now and then, but when I can, making it from scratch just feels like home.
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Recipes to Make With Marinara Sauce
Marinara sauce comes in handy for many meals. I use it on pasta, pizzas, or even for dipping breadsticks. There are so many ways to use this marinara sauce. Here are some of my favorites:
- Baked Tortellini with Meat Sauce
- Instant Pot Spaghetti And Meat Sauce Recipe
- Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna
- Stuffed Shells Recipe
Why You'll Love This Marinara Sauce
- Easy to Make: This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. With just a few easy steps, you can have a homemade sauce.
- Uses Simple Ingredients: You likely have most of the necessary ingredients already in your pantry, so you don't need to make a special trip to the store.
- Tastes Better Than Jarred Sauce: This sauce has a fresh, rich taste that store-bought sauces can't match. You'll notice the difference!
- Makes Your House Smell Great: As the sauce simmers on the stove, your home will smell amazing!
Ingredients For Homemade Marinara Sauce
- Olive Oil: Used to sauté the onion and garlic. It also adds a classic Italian flavor.
- Diced Onion: Adds a sweet flavor.
- Minced Garlic: Gives a pungent flavor that is key to any good marinara.
- Crushed Tomatoes: This is the main ingredient, giving the sauce its distinctive tomato flavor. Using a quality brand of canned tomatoes makes a big difference.
- Oregano: This dried herb gives a traditional Italian flavor.
- Brown Sugar: A tiny bit of sugar helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
- Kosher Salt: Enhances the other flavors.
- Fresh Basil: Adds a touch of fresh flavor at the end.
- Ground Black Pepper: For a little bit of spice.
Best Kitchen Tools for This Sauce
Making this easy Homemade Marinara Sauce is all about keeping things simple - and the right tools make it even easier. From the pot that keeps the sauce at a gentle simmer to the trusty wooden spoon that won't scratch your cookware, these are the staples I reach for again and again.
👉 Tap any image below to shop these helpful kitchen tools on Amazon!
How To Make Homemade Marinara Sauce
1. Sauté the Onion and Garlic: Heat the olive oil in a large pot and then add the garlic and onion. Sauté for 5 minutes until they are lightly browned.
2. Add Tomatoes and Seasonings: Next, pour in the crushed tomatoes. Follow with oregano, basil, salt, and a little brown sugar. I give it all a good stir to mix everything.
3. Let it Simmer: Turn the heat down to low, cover the pot, and allow the sauce to simmer for about 30 minutes. The flavors will come together as the sauce thickens.
4. Finish with Pepper: Once the sauce has finished simmering, turn off the heat. Add some ground black pepper to taste and give it one last stir. That's it!
This marinara sauce is one of those Easy Italian Recipes that take little time to prepare and are so yummy! It fills up a normal-sized jar of pasta sauce and can be refrigerated and stored as you would an open jar of store-bought pasta sauce.
Tips For Perfect Marinara Sauce
Tip 1: Use good-quality canned tomatoes. Since tomatoes are the main ingredient, using a brand you like will make a big difference in the final taste of your sauce.
Tip 2: Don't skip the simmering time. Letting the sauce simmer for at least 30 minutes is key to developing a rich, deep flavor. If you have more time, letting it go a little longer is even better.
Tip 3: Feel free to add other veggies. Sometimes, if I have a carrot or celery stick in the fridge, I'll finely dice it and sauté it with the onions for extra flavor.
FAQs For Marinara Sauce Recipe
Yes, you can! Just peel and chop them first. You may need to cook the sauce a bit longer to reduce the extra liquid.
Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. It also freezes well for up to 3 months.
Absolutely. Brown some ground beef or sausage and stir it in for a heartier version.
Crushed Tomatoes Recipes
Got crushed tomatoes? You've got dinner. These pantry staples turn simple ingredients into yummy meals like this Crockpot Crushed Tomato and Chicken Soup, which is great for busy days. Or try Pan-fried Eggplants with Tomato Sauce for a lighter version of a classic.
If you're craving pasta then Skinnier Lasagna and a One-Pot Ground Beef Pasta Recipe are family-friendly options that are full of saucy goodness.
I hope you give this homemade marinara sauce recipe a try. It's one of those recipes that proves you don't need a lot of time or complicated ingredients to make something really delicious for your family.
📖 Recipe
Homemade Marinara Sauce Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- ¼ cup of olive oil
- ½ cup diced onion
- 3 teaspoons of minced garlic
- 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes
- ¼ teaspoon of oregano
- ½ tablespoon of brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon of kosher salt
- a few leaves of basil chopped
- ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot and then add the garlic and onion. Saute for 5 minutes until they are lightly browned.
- Add in tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and brown sugar. Stir and let simmer for 30 minutes.
- When the sauce is done cooking, add pepper to taste.
Notes
- Choose tomatoes you love. Since they're the star of the show, a good-quality canned tomato makes all the difference.
- Give it time to simmer. At least 30 minutes will build that rich flavor-longer if you've got the patience.
- Toss in extra veggies if you want. A diced carrot or celery stick sautéed with the onions adds a nice layer of flavor.
Kushi says
homemade marinara sauce is my favorite. your recipe and pictures look fabulous!
camila hurst says
Homemade marinara sauce is definitely the way to go!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
You just can't beat a homemade marinara sauce, yours sounds super tasty
Pam Greer says
Once I learned how easy it was to make a homemade marinara sauce, I stopped buying the jars. Oh, I keep one or two in the pantry, just in case, but really homemade is so much better! I can't wait to try your recipe!
Helena says
I am definitely not telling your Grandma the little secret you've shared. I love using sauce in most of my dishes and this one looks just perfect for the past I am planning to cook. Good stuff!
Chris says
LOVE a homemade marinara sauce! This is actually really similar to the one I make! Great minds think alike 🙂