This homemade marinara sauce recipe is easy to make in 30 minutes. It’s smooth and flavorful and so more delicious than store-bought marinara sauce.
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We eat spaghetti in our house at least once a week, and I was so tired of sub-par jarred sauces that I created this homemade marinara sauce recipe and have never looked back.
This easy marinara sauce is as simple as it is delicious. Made with 9 ingredients in 30 minutes, it’s delicious served with homemade meatballs or your favorite Italian recipes for quick and hearty weeknight dinner.
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Marinara Sauce: Ingredients & Substitutions
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- Onion. I suggest a sweet white or yellow onion for the best results.
- Minced garlic. Use freshly minced or jarred.
- Olive oil. I really don’t recommend substitutes, but if you must, avocado oil is the next best choice.
- Whole Peeled Tomatoes. I use canned tomatoes for ease – to use fresh tomatoes, you need to boil and peel the tomatoes, then use in this recipe as directed. You can also use crushed or diced tomatoes if you don’t keep whole, peeled tomatoes on hand.
- Fresh basil. No substitutes here!
- Dried oregano. you can substitute 1 teaspoon dried oregano with 1 Tablespoon fresh oregano.
- Granulated sugar. honey is a good substitute for sugar. This just helps cut the acidity of the marinara sauce, it does not make the sauce sweet.
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How to Make Marinara Sauce
Well walk through the steps in this marinara sauce recipe together, and be sure to watch the video for extra guidance.
Begin by cooking the onion, olive oil, onion and garlic in a 5-quart saucepan until onion is soft, stirring occasionally (about 3-5 minutes).
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Then, add the tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt, pepper and sugar and stir to combine.
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Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, breaking up the tomatoes into smaller pieces.
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After 20 minutes, transfer the marinara sauce to a blender, or use an immersion blender, and blend until smooth (note this is optional if you like a chunkier sauce).
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Serve
Marinara sauce is a key ingredient in so many Italian recipes – and pairs well with many of our favorite Italian dishes. Here are some serving suggestions:
- Serve it with spaghetti and homemade meatballs (or turkey meatballs or chicken meatballs).
- Make homemade whole wheat pasta or homemade gnocchi and serve it on top.
- Use it to make Baked Goat Cheese Dip.
- Or in this pizza casserole or Italian stuffed peppers.
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Store
Store leftover sauce in a glass jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Freeze
Freeze leftover sauce in a glass jar (make sure to leave some room at the top because the sauce expands in the freezer), for up to 6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature, reheat on the stovetop.
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Marinara Sauce Recipe FAQS
Yes, you can double (or triple) this recipe easily.
Marinara sauce is a thinner sauce with a shorter cook time. Spaghetti sauce slow cooks for longer and is thicker.
Fresh basil and a touch of sugar or honey are the secret ingredients that make this the best marinara sauce ever! Also, using high-quality tomatoes.
Sugar helps cut the acidity of the sauce and creates a more pleasant flavor.
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Easy Homemade Marinara Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 small onion diced (1 cup onion)
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 28 oz whole tomatoes peeled (https://amzn.to/3p6c7Ra)
- 2 Tablespoons fresh basil chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar or honey
Instructions
- Add onion, olive oil, onion and garlic to a 5-quart saucepan. Cover and cook until onion is soft, stirring occasionally.
- Add tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt, pepper and sugar and stir to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, breaking up the tomatoes into smaller pieces.
- Transfer the mixture to a blender, or use an immersion blender and blend until smooth (note this is optional if you like a chunkier sauce).
- Serve on top of your favorite pasta, tortellini, etc.
Video
Notes
- Onion. I suggest a sweet white or yellow onion for the best results.
- Minced garlic. Use freshly minced or jarred.
- Olive oil. I really don’t recommend substitutes, but if you must, avocado oil is the next best choice.
- Whole Peeled Tomatoes. I use canned tomatoes for ease – to use fresh tomatoes, you need to boil and peel the tomatoes, then use in this recipe as directed.
- Dried oregano. you can substitute 1 teaspoon dried oregano with 1 Tablespoon fresh oregano.
- Granulated sugar. honey is a good substitute for sugar. This just helps cut the acidity of the marinara sauce, it does not make the sauce sweet.
