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Marinara Sauce in a white bowl placed on a grey table with few ingredients around

Marinara Sauce

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Marinara Sauce is an easy, classic Italian tomato sauce traditionally made with crushed or whole tomatoes, onions, garlic, and basil, seasoned with various Italian herbs. Our Homemade Marinara Sauce is rich in flavor and perfect for enhancing spaghetti, rotini, and a range of dishes that call for a robust pasta sauce.
Course Dips & Condiments
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 47
Author Sangeetha Vel

Ingredients

  • 1 tsp Olive Oil
  • 2 tbsp Garlic minced
  • 3 tbsp White Onion chopped
  • 30 oz Tomato Sauce or crushed tomato
  • ½ tsp Chili Flakes
  • ½ tsp Oregano
  • Salt to taste
  • Fresh Basil Leaves to garnish
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Making Marinara Sauce

  • Start by heating olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté until it becomes aromatic.
    Sauteing garlics in a pan
  • Add the onions to the pan and continue sautéing until they are soft and start to caramelize.
    Sauteing onions to soft in a pan
  • Stir in the tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes, along with oregano and chili flakes. Mix everything thoroughly.
    Tomato Sauce with basic seasonings in a pan
  • Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 7 to 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken to your desired consistency. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and burning.
    Simmering the tomato sauce with seasonings
  • Finish the sauce by stirring in fresh basil leaves for a vibrant burst of flavor, then remove it from the heat. Your Marinara Sauce is now ready to elevate your pasta dishes and more!
    Marinara sauce with basil leaves in a pan

Using

  • Enjoy this Homemade Marinara Sauce with your choice of pasta, like spaghetti, rotini, or penne. It's also perfect for dishes that call for marinara, such as eggplant parmesan, chicken parmesan, and other similar dishes.
    Serving Marinara Sauce in a white bowl with pasta and cheese alongside

Notes

Here are my top tips for perfecting your Marinara Sauce:
  • Tomatoes: Opt for high-quality tomatoes to ensure that authentic Italian flavor. Whether you prefer fresh tomato puree or high-quality canned tomatoes, any form works well—whole, crushed, pureed, or diced. Tailor the sauce to your taste or use what you have on hand for a delicious result.
  • Using Olive Oil: Choose a good quality extra virgin olive oil for sautéing and finishing the sauce. Drizzling a little olive oil on top before serving can add a rich, smooth finish. 
  • Cooking Time: This recipe includes a quick version of Marinara Sauce that's ready in less time. For a richer, more developed flavor, opt for whole peeled tomatoes and simmer the sauce for at least 30 minutes to an hour. Stir occasionally to make sure it cooks evenly and doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.
  • Herb Choices: Fresh herbs deliver the best flavor, but if they're not available, dried herbs can work well too. Remember that dried herbs are more potent, so use them sparingly—about one-third of the amount you'd use if they were fresh.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 47kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 675mg | Potassium: 444mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 666IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 2mg

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