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Home » Recipes » Dips, Dressings, Sauces & Seasonings

The Best Homemade Marinara Sauce

Published: Mar 19, 2023 by Eileen xo

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homemade marinara sauce collage of sauce in a large pan

Homemade Marinara Sauce, hearty and fresh flavors from crushed and diced tomatoes blended with the classic onion, garlic, carrots, and herbs to give you the most aromatic tomato sauce.

Homemade marinara sauce in a mason jar topped with chopped basil.
Jump to:
  • ❤️ Why this recipe works
  • Ingredients
  • Equipment
  • 🔪 Instructions
  • How to store, reheat, and freeze
  • 💭 Expert Tips
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • 📖 Variations
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Similar recipes
  • Homemade Marinara Sauce
  • 💬 Comments

❤️ Why this recipe works

  • Our homemade marinara sauce recipe is full of flavor and simmered to create the perfect sauce.
  • Spaghetti Sauce made with canned tomatoes is affordable and easy to do for any level of home cook.
  • The secret to this easy marinara sauce is the ground fennel. It adds just a hint of extra flavor to put this sauce over the top delicious.
  • This is a classic marinara sauce that uses simple ingredients for the most mouthwatering sauce that blows away any jarred sauce.

Ingredients

The ingredients for marinara sauce on a grey table.
  • Crushed tomatoes/Diced tomatoes: A combo of crushed tomatoes and diced tomatoes is my preference. Whole tomatoes can be used. Just give them a squeeze to crush them before adding to the pot.
  • garlic must be fresh. Use about 4, finely minced cloves. If you don't have fresh, you can use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder or ½ teaspoon of garlic paste. Jarred minced garlic can be used as well.
  • onion - Again, fresh is always better but in a pinch, onion powder can be substituted.
  • Italian seasoning: my top pick for seasoning.
  • ground fennel: My secret ingredient to the best marinara sauce, ever!
  • carrot: We add a finely diced carrot which cuts the acidity in the tomatoes. A bit of sugar can be used in lieu of the carrot.

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Equipment

  • skillet with lid
  • Measuring Spoons and Cups
  • Cutting Board
  • Knives

🔪 Instructions

This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.

a collage of thee steps to make marinara sauce
  1. In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. Add in and saute onions, and carrots to soften for about 5 minutes.
  2. Stir in garlic and herbs and saute another minute to release flavors.
  3. Pour in crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Let simmer, stirring occasionally for about 30-35 minutes to blend flavors. Taste for seasoning, and adjust seasoning, if needed.
  4. Serve with your favorite pasta, etc.
Homemade marinara sauce in a large black pan topped with fresh basil.

How to store, reheat, and freeze

  • Marinara sauce can be kept in an airtight covered container in the refrigerator for about 3 days.
  • Freezer: To freeze marinara, I use a food saver to preserve the sauce but any sealable freezer-safe bag or container works well. to
  • For freezer space, lay the sauce flat in the freezer so it does not take up a lot of space.
  • To defrost, place the frozen sauce in the fridge overnight to defrost.
  • Feel free to follow your microwave instructions to defrost the sauce.

💭 Expert Tips

Expert Tip: For the best flavor, be sure to stir the sauce frequently and simmer over low heat.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between marinara sauce vs. spaghetti sauce

Marinara Sauce is made with just a few ingredients such as crushed tomatoes, a few herbs, and seasoning. Spaghetti sauce or "gravy" for my New York friends who I love and will concede they can call it whatever they want is a heavier sauce with meat.

Do I have to use San Marzano tomatoes for this recipe?

While the San Marzano tomatoes are full of flavor, a more affordable brand of crushed tomatoes and diced tomatoes can be used for this recipe.

📖 Variations

Do you want to change up this recipe? Here are some ways that you increase the flavor of this dish.

  • Enjoy a kick of spice, add 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce.
  • Fresh basil and fresh oregano are always welcome in the sauce or as garnish.
  • Diced tomatoes can substitute for a can of crushed tomatoes. If you prefer a smooth sauce, puree to blend well.
  • Dried basil and dried oregano can be used in this easy pasta sauce. I'd start with 1 teaspoon of each, adjust seasoning if needed.
  • If tomato paste is unavailable, add some pasta water to your sauce for thickening.
  • Carrots, we love the addition, it is okay to leave them out if you. don't have any fresh on hand. You may need a dash of sugar for sweetness.

Serving Suggestions

  • Italian Meatballs and Spaghetti - I grew up in a neighborhood of great cooks who gave me all their tips for authentic Italian recipes.
  • Veggie Stuffed Shells - loaded with cheese and veggies. Low-carb stuffed zucchini is a must make.
  • Chicken Parm Burger: Grilled or pan-seared chicken burgers topped with marinara and mozzarella, yum.
  • Air Fried Mozzarella Medallions would benefit from being dipped into this delicious marinara sauce.

Similar recipes

Sheet Pan Chicken Sausage and Spaghetti Squash: One of my favorite quick and low-carb sheet pan meals.

Italian Sausage and Peppers is another classic recipe that makes a perfect weeknight dinner.

Linguine with White Clam Sauce is a fantastic easy dinner everyone enjoys.

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Eileen  xo

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.

If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

a large grey saucepan filled with tomato sauce topped with chopped parsley

Homemade Marinara Sauce

A quick-cooking marinara sauce full of flavors from garlic and onion, and San Marzano tomatoes. This sauce is wonderful to make in bulk and freeze extras for later.
5 from 10 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prevent your screen from going dark
Course: Sauce
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: easy homemade marinara sauce, easy homemade pasta sauce, homemade pasta sauce with diced tomatoes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6 cups
Calories: 110kcal
Author: Eileen Kelly

Equipment Needed:

  • As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
  • skillet with lid
  • Measuring Spoons and Cups
  • Cutting Board
  • Knives

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
  • 1 small carrot, peeled and diced
  • 1 medium onion, finely diced
  • 1 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon ground fennel
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 28 ounce can, San Marzano crushed tomatoes
  • 28 ounce can, San Marzano diced tomatoes
  • 2 teaspoons tomato paste
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 teaspoon fresh basil or parsley, chopped optional garnish

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, add olive oil. Stir in onion and carrots. Saute for about 5 minutes to begin to soften the vegetables.
  • Mix in the garlic, Italian seasoning, ground fennel, salt, and pepper. Stir for about 1 minute to blend flavors.
  • Pour in the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and bay leaf.
  • Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover pot with a lid and let the sauce simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Remove and discard the bay leaf.
  • If a smooth sauce is desired, use an immersion blender to puree the ingredients.
  • Taste for seasoning, reseason if needed. If desired, sprinkle with fresh basil or parsley. Serve over pasta, chicken, with meatballs, etc.

Notes

Be sure to check the Expert Tips and FAQs above with important tips and questions that can help make a delicious recipe. 
  • Note 1: Add the seasoning with the onions allowing the dried seasoning to develop flavor.
Variations:
    • If you do not have Italian seasoning available, use dried basil, oregano, and parsley, about ½ teaspoon of each. Again, if you only have one or two of these dried spices,  use them and adjust the seasoning, to taste. 
    • If tomato paste is unavailable, add some pasta water to your sauce for thickening.
    • A teaspoon of cornstarch and water can be used to thicken marinara. I make a triple batch and freeze the sauce in 1-quart freezer bags to use for the month.  Awesome meal prep to use in other meals like pasta, eggplant, and spaghetti squash.
Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and proportion sizes.
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Nutrition

Serving: 12servings | Calories: 110kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 566mg | Potassium: 863mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 2000IU | Vitamin C: 27mg | Calcium: 111mg | Iron: 4mg
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Thank you for sharing!

1211 shares
  • Share115
  • Tweet
  • Yummly

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Hi, I'm Eileen! This is where I share all my family-tested recipes! Mostly quick and easy recipes with the occasional indulgence we all need.

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