Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This homemade marinara sauce is bursting with fresh flavors from ripe tomatoes, garlic, and herbs. It’s a quick and easy recipe, taking just 30 minutes to make, yet it delivers a rich, robust flavor that will elevate any dish. Unlike store-bought sauces, this marinara is free from preservatives and packed with wholesome ingredients. Whether you’re making pasta, dipping breadsticks, or topping a pizza, this sauce will become a go-to favorite!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) of crushed tomatoes (or fresh tomatoes, peeled and chopped)
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon of dried basil (or 1 tablespoon of fresh basil, chopped)
- 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
- 1 teaspoon of sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil (optional, for garnish)
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
1. Sauté the onions and garlic:
- In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 3-5 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, until fragrant.
2. Add the tomatoes:
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes (or fresh chopped tomatoes if using) into the pan. Mix to combine with the onions and garlic.
3. Season the sauce:
- Add the oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if using), sugar (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine, and bring the sauce to a simmer.
4. Simmer the sauce:
- Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
5. Adjust seasoning:
- Taste the marinara sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed by adding more salt, pepper, or a pinch more sugar if it tastes too acidic.
6. Serve:
- Once the sauce has reached your desired consistency and flavor, remove it from the heat. If you used fresh basil, stir it in now. Serve the marinara sauce over your favorite pasta, as a pizza topping, or as a dipping sauce.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: Makes about 4-6 servings
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes
Variations
- Add more veggies: Add finely diced carrots or celery along with the onions for added depth of flavor.
- Meat sauce: To turn this marinara into a meat sauce, brown ground beef, pork, or turkey in the pan before adding the onions and garlic.
- Tomato paste: If you want a thicker and richer sauce, add 1-2 tablespoons of tomato paste after sautéing the garlic and onions.
- Balsamic vinegar: A splash of balsamic vinegar can add an extra layer of sweetness and complexity to the sauce.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store leftover marinara sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze marinara sauce for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers or freezer bags.
- Reheating: To reheat, simply warm the sauce on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water or olive oil if needed to reach the desired consistency.
FAQs
1. Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
Yes, you can use fresh tomatoes! You’ll need to peel and chop them. For a smoother sauce, blend the fresh tomatoes before adding them to the pan. Fresh tomatoes will require a slightly longer cooking time to break down.
2. Can I use tomato sauce instead of crushed tomatoes?
Yes, you can use tomato sauce, but keep in mind that it will be thinner than crushed tomatoes. You may need to simmer the sauce for a longer time to achieve the desired thickness.
3. Can I make marinara sauce ahead of time?
Yes, marinara sauce can be made a day or two ahead of time. In fact, it tastes even better after the flavors have had time to meld together. Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to use it.
4. Is this sauce spicy?
The marinara sauce can have a little heat if you add red pepper flakes, but it’s not necessary. If you prefer a mild sauce, simply skip the red pepper flakes.
5. Can I add meat to this marinara sauce?
Absolutely! For a meat sauce, brown some ground beef, pork, or turkey and add it to the sauce once the tomatoes are incorporated. Let it simmer to combine the flavors.
6. Can I add wine to marinara sauce?
Yes, adding a splash of red or white wine can add depth to the sauce. Add the wine after sautéing the garlic and onion, and let it cook down before adding the tomatoes.
7. Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh basil?
Yes, you can use dried basil instead of fresh. Use about 1 teaspoon of dried basil to substitute for fresh basil. Dried herbs are more concentrated, so use less if you’re substituting.
8. What can I use marinara sauce for besides pasta?
Marinara sauce is versatile! You can use it as a pizza sauce, a dipping sauce for breadsticks, mozzarella sticks, or fried zucchini, or even in casseroles like lasagna.
9. Can I add cream to make it a creamy marinara sauce?
Yes, you can add heavy cream or a splash of milk to make the sauce creamy. Just stir it in after the sauce has finished simmering for a richer, creamier texture.
10. Can I make this sauce with a slow cooker?
Yes, you can make marinara sauce in a slow cooker. Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker, and cook on low for 4-6 hours, or on high for 2-3 hours. This is a great hands-off way to make marinara sauce!
Conclusion
This homemade marinara sauce is an easy, flavorful way to elevate any Italian meal. With simple ingredients and minimal effort, you can create a rich, aromatic sauce that will impress everyone at the table. Whether you use it for pasta, pizza, or as a dip, this marinara sauce will quickly become your go-to recipe. Enjoy!
PrintHomemade Marinara Sauce Recipe
This homemade marinara sauce is rich, flavorful, and easy to make. With simple ingredients like tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and fresh herbs, it’s the perfect base for pasta, pizza, and more. Free from preservatives and packed with wholesome ingredients, it’s a much tastier option than store-bought sauces.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) of crushed tomatoes (or fresh tomatoes, peeled and chopped)
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon of dried basil (or 1 tablespoon of fresh basil, chopped)
- 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
- 1 teaspoon of sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Sauté the onions and garlic: Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 3-5 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the tomatoes: Stir in the crushed tomatoes and mix with the onion and garlic.
- Season the sauce: Add oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, sugar (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir well and bring to a simmer.
- Simmer the sauce: Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally to allow the flavors to meld and thicken.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or sugar as needed.
- Serve: Remove from heat and stir in fresh basil if desired. Serve over pasta, as a pizza topping, or as a dip for breadsticks or mozzarella sticks.
Notes
- Add finely diced carrots or celery for extra flavor.
- For a meat sauce, brown ground beef, pork, or turkey before adding the onions and garlic.
- For a thicker sauce, add 1-2 tablespoons of tomato paste after sautéing the garlic and onions.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of the recipe
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
