Learn how to make this easy and simple homemade marinara sauce recipe with basic ingredients. This marinara sauce is an easy-to-make tomato sauce that is perfect to top your favorite pasta or to use in recipes calling for jarred pasta sauce.
![Homemade Marinara Sauce](https://eatwellwithanna.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/homemade-marinara-sauce.jpg)
I can’t even remember the last time I bought tomato sauce. Now that I know how easy it is to make this marinara sauce from scratch, I don’t purchase it as it’s not worth it. I make my own at home! Of course, it adds some time to an everyday task, but the result of a homemade tomato sauce, without additives and sugars, is always worth it!
This homemade marinara sauce offers a lovely, rich tomato flavor after a 40-minute simmer. I’ve tried to make it even faster, but no amount of tomato paste or seasoning will compensate for the lost time cooking it on the stove.
Bottom line: it’s impossible to achieve the lovely taste of authentic Italian marinara sauce in less than 40 minutes.
Table of Contents
HOW TO MAKE MARINARA SAUCE
- Start by sautéing the onion with olive oil over medium-low heat. Cook until the onion starts to soften. Then add the garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds. Watch for the garlic, be careful not to burn it!
- Then add tomato paste and sauté for a few more minutes. Sautéing the tomato paste before adding the tomatoes, will result in a more intensely flavored marinara sauce.
- Add the tomatoes and salt and bring to a slow boil. Let the sauce simmer gently on the stove for 40 to 60 minutes. The sauce will slowly start to thicken as you stir occasionally.
- Finally, season the marinara sauce with additional spices. If you prefer a smoother marinara, puree the sauce in a blender, working in small batches.
You can use this homemade marinara sauce the same way you would use traditional tomato sauce. It makes about 2 cups and can last a long time! But, of course, that depends on the recipe you will use it. I love to use it as pizza sauce or in Eggplant Parmesan.
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WHY IS THIS THE BEST HOMEMADE MARINARA SAUCE
Seven reasons to love this homemade tomato sauce recipe:
- This homemade marinara sauce recipe requires simple ingredients that produce a rich, authentic marinara sauce flavor.
- It’s super easy to do.
- Unlike most store-bought sauces, this homemade marinara sauce has no added sugar.
- This homemade marinara sauce tastes way fresher than supermarket sauces.
- Tomatoes are healthy and good for you, and you can load up your pasta as much as you like with this homemade marinara sauce.
- It’s perfect as a pizza sauce.
- This marinara sauce is vegan, gluten-free, and Whole 30 approved.
![Homemade Marinara Sauce](https://eatwellwithanna.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/marinara-sauce-on-the-bowl.jpg)
MARINARA SAUCE RECIPE VARIATIONS
- Use canned tomatoes instead of fresh tomatoes: Canned tomatoes offer a richer flavor. If you decide to use canned tomatoes, omit the tomato paste in the original recipes.
- Add more heat: Add regular black pepper, hot red pepper flakes, or a bit of Sriracha at the end.
- Use different herbs: Fresh or dried – basil, marjoram, and Italian parsley are all traditional marinara flavorings.
- Add extra vegetables: Carrots, mushrooms, and red peppers may not make it a traditional marinara, but they will add a nice flavor to your marinara sauce. additional
![Pasta with Homemade Marinara Sauce](https://eatwellwithanna.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PASTA-with-marinara.jpg)
STORAGE OF MARINARA SAUCE
Once completely cooled, you can store the homemade marinara sauce in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
- To freeze: Allow the homemade marinara sauce to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight zip lock bag or airtight glass container and store in the freezer.
- To reheat: Place defrosted marinara sauce in a large pot with a lid to reduce evaporation and heat over low heat. However, stir occasionally until heated through.
![pasta with Italian authentic tomato sauce Marinara](https://eatwellwithanna.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/close-up-pasta-with-marinara.jpg)
WAYS TO USE HOMEMADE TOMATO SAUCE
There are so many delicious ways to use this marinara sauce recipe, for example, feel free to serve it with:
- Pasta: Spaghetti marinara is a classic, of course. But you can mix this marinara sauce into any other type of pasta, lasagna, and more.
- Meat or Seafood: You can use it in my Chicken Meatballs in Marinara Sauce recipe or any other dish you like!
- Parmigiana: I also like to use this homemade marinara sauce in my Baked Eggplant Parmesan recipe.
- Pizza: This homemade marinara sauce also goes perfectly with Gluten-Free Quinoa Pizza, Pumpkin Mini Pizzas or any of your favorite pizza recipes.
- Dipping Sauce: This marinara sauce can also be served as a dipping sauce for breadsticks, breaded mozzarella sticks, chicken nuggets, calamari, toasted ravioli and more.
![](https://eatwellwithanna.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/homemade-marinara-sauce-500x500.jpg)
Homemade Marinara Sauce
Equipment
- Large Skillet
- Spatula
- Cutting Board
- Knife
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ½ onion
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 tbsp tomato paste, omit if using canned tomatoes
- 800 g/28 oz tomatoes, fresh or canned
- 1 tsp salt, or to taste
- 1 tsp dried oregano
Instructions
- Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add ½ onion and sauté the onion until starts to soften about 5 minutes. Then add 2 garlic cloves and sauté for about 30 seconds. Don’t cook for too long otherwise, the garlic can burn!
- Add 4 tbsp tomato paste and sauté for another 2 minutes.By cooking the tomato paste before adding the tomatoes, will result in a more intensely flavored marinara sauce.
- Add 800 g/28 oz tomatoes and 1 tsp salt. Bring the sauce to a boil, then lower the heat to simmer for about 40-60 minutes. The sauce will slowly start to thicken as you stir occasionally.
- Taste and season with more salt, if necessary. Add 1 tsp dried oregano and remove from heat.
- If you prefer a smoother marinara, puree the sauce in a blender, working in small batches.
- Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Once completely cooled, you can store it in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
- To freeze: Allow sauce to cool completely, then transfer to a ziplock bag or airtight glass container and store in the freezer.
- To reheat: Place the frozen sauce in a large pot with a lid to reduce evaporation and heat over low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.