My Homemade Marinara Sauce is a robust Italian tomato gravy made with fresh flavors and ready in about 30 minutes. My sauce has a hint of sweetness from fresh carrots to balance the acidity of the tomatoes to create a banging sauce. Top everything from pasta, chicken, lasagne, and ziti with this marinara! Make a double batch and freeze some for later.
Homemade Marinara Sauce
Seriously one of the most delicious sauces around. I think adding the carrots adds that zing of flavor to make this ah-mazing.
This marinara sauce is one of those recipes I’ve been making since I was about 14 years old! It a family favorite and so versatile. Triple or even quadruple the recipe to freeze in quart bags to always have marinara sauce at the ready!
I make extra because the hubs steal a few scoops, okay a huge bowl of the sauce before it is even out of the saucepan and dips Italian bread into the marinara! It is addicting! Seriously, we will be friends forever after you make this! Yup, forever.
Please know, I am no snob to a jar sauce. There are definitely some really delicious jarred marinara sauces out there and I enjoy using them. However, there is nothing better than homemade. Trust me, make a batch and see for yourself.
Expert tips
- Fresh garlic and onion is a must for great flavor.
- Use a really good canned tomato like San Marzano also makes my taste buds tingle. Don’t skimp on those tomatoes, you won’t be disappointed.
- Make a triple batch. This sauce freezes really well!
Storage tips:
- Marinara sauce can be kept well covered in the refrigerator for about 3 days in a well-sealed container.
- To freeze marinara, I use a food saver to place sauce in a quart-sized sealed bags. Freezer safe storage bags work well too.
- To defrost, place the frozen sauce in the fridge overnight to defrost.
- Feel free to follow your microwave instructions to defrost the sauce.
What is the difference: Marinara vs. Spaghetti Sauce
Marinara Sauce is made with just a few ingredients such as crushed tomatoes, a few herbs, aand 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.
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- Bay Leaves: We use these in so many recipes for adding flavor.
- Immersion Blenders: Use to puree the sauce, soups, etc.
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Enjoy this sauce on some of these yummy recipes:
Chicken Parm Burger:Grilled or pan-seared chicken burgers topped with marinara and mozzarella, yum.
Veggie Stuffed Shells:Get those veggies in with this tassty pasta casserole with creamy ricotta and a bevy of vegetables.
Italian Meatballs:Classic meatballs with marinara, pure comfort food.
Sheet Pan Chicken Sausage and Spaghetti Squash: One of my favorite quick and low-carb sheet pan meals.
I love this Pepperoni Pizza Grilled Cheese from Lisa at Jersey Girl Cooks with a tasty grilled cheese with pepperoni with marinara, delish.
Slow Cooker Italian Chicken from One Dish Kitchen is a delicious chicken dinner using marinara to complete the tasty meal.
Variations:
- Diced tomatoes can substitute a can of the crushed tomatoes. If you prefer a smooth sauce, puree to blend well.
- No Italian seasoning, use dried basil, oregano, and parsley, about 1/2 teaspoon of each. Again, if you only have one or two of these dried spices, use them and adjust seasoning, to taste.
- If tomato paste is unavailable, add in some pasta water to your sauce for thickening.
- A teaspoon of cornstarch and water can be used to thicken marinara.
- 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 more sugar for sweetness.
Step by step instructions for homemade marinara
- Gather your ingredients for marinara sauce.
- Saute onions, and carrots in olive oil to soften, about 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in garlic and herbs, saute another minute to release flavors.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes and paste. Let simmer about 20-25 minutes to blend flavors. Taste for seasoning, adjust seasoning, if needed, serve with your favorite pasta, etc.
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Homemade Marinara Sauce
Equipment Needed:
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small carrot, peeled and diced
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon ground fennel
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 56 ounces San Marzano crushed tomatoes 28-ounce cans
- 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 3 minutes to begin to soften the vegetables.
- Mix in the garlic, Italian seasoning, ground fennel, sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir for about 1 minute to blend flavors.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and bay leaf.
- Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover pot and simmer about 20 minutes, stir 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
- Note 1: Add the seasoning with the onions allows the dried seasoning to develop flavor.
- Diced tomatoes can substitute a can of the crushed tomatoes. If you prefer a smooth sauce, puree the sauce.
- No Italian seasoning, use dried basil, oregano, and parsley, about 1/2 teaspoon of each. Again, if you only have one or two of these dried spices, use them and adjust seasoning, to taste.
- If tomato paste is unavailable, add in 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.
Very good! Caramelize that tomato paste and let the Basil cook with the sauce, if you’re up for it. I loved it!
I like the idea of caramelizing the tomato paste. I’m going to try this.
Carrots cooked in tomato sauce are my favorite. What a great sauce to have on hand.
We love this marinara, enjoy!
Love this recipe! The addition of carrots lends a delicious natural sweetness, Yum!
Yes, Colleen. We love the addition of the carrots.
This sounds and looks great and I definitely agree, good tomatoes make such a difference.
Absolutely, Caroline, always use great tomatoes
I’ve never actually made this sauce from scratch because I did not have a recipe – I cannot wait to try it!
Super easy Terri. It will change your life.So good.
This marinara sauce is the best, and I love using it for all my Italian dishes. So good!
Excellent, Sue. I appreciate your comments and so glad you enjoy the marinara sauce.
Homemade marinara sauce is always better than buying it, and this is such an easy recipe!
Yes, Anne. freezes really well too.
I love to make my own marinara sauce and I see in your recipe a couple of ingredients that I will incorporate on my recipe. Great job here!
Fabulous Carlos, I hope you enjoy the marinara!
I love that you added fenel!
I learned this tip as a young girl, makes the sauce amazing.
My favorite sauce! Just like my Mom;s!
That is awesome Kerri! I am so glad you enjoy!
This recipe looks fantastic. I have to make this for my boyfriend <3
I’ve never made my own marinara sauce actually but this one looks fantastic! I need to try it with some garlic bread for sure.
My hubbie eats this marinara sauce with garlic bread all the time – yummy!
I have made my own with chilli’s, garlic, tomatoes and peppers and it is delicious. I love your Marina recipe it looks so tasty!
This looks amazing! I love an incredible marinara! I am going to have to try this one out very soon!
Sounds like a wonderful idea
Your recipe looks great! There is just something about the delicious smell of onion, garlic, carrots and celery satueeing! YUM
I totally agree
I had an ex who used to make his own sauce and it tasted so delicious. This recipe really inspires me to try to make my own.
You don’t need the ex! 🙂 Make this yourself and you wont buy too many jarred sauces again !
Great photography! This sounds easy and delicious.
Thank you very much
I am Italian so for me to be impressed with a marinara sauce says something. 🙂 This one looks amazing and I can’t wait to try it!
Vicky, you have made my day! I hope you send me a pic and a critique when you make this.
Thank you for such lovely compliments
Yum.I always love making sauces. Marinara though I’ve never really been able to be good at so my husband usually does it. This looks wonderful.
I hope upir husband makes this one. so super easy
It’s always refreshing to see recipe using fresh ingredients. This maranara goes around perfectly with any type of tomato-based pasta, or pizza. Lovely photos, too.
Thank you so much Rose. You are so sweet
A must try recipe for me. My kids and I love sphagetti so I try making pasta sauces at home but this looks simple and bowl licking worthy!
That is great. Send me a pic When you make the sauce
I love a good marinara sauce! I never thought to make a batch to freeze! What a great idea!
You must – super easy to just double or triple your recipe
Marinara sauce is one of my most often batch cooked recipes. The family loves it and it works with so many different recipes.
not not only does this look amazing but it sounds good too. I always make my own sauce and it sounds very similar so I am sure I would love it 😉
You are too kind. Thank you for the lovely compliment
I love that all the ingredients you have used are natural! That’s also how I cook my sauces! Your photography is also great
http://www.siniciliya.com
You are so kind and sweet with your comment. I cook from my heart and my photography is a work in progress. So new to me and I am trying so I appreciate your kind compliment
xo
You are so sweet. Thank you so very much
I love recipes that are made with simple ingredients I usually have on hand but then are AMAZING!! This looks like one of those!!
You are too kind. Thank you
I would love to try this sauce! I bet my kiddos would love this!
Super simple and no preservatives…go for it
I’ve never tried making my own marinara sauce. Funny how the recipe uses a lot of the ingredients I already have at home. I’ll have to give this a try.
I am a huge fan of simple and delish! I hope you make this one
Yum! This looks so good and your photos are amazing! I love making my own sauce, so saving this for sure 🙂
Thank you so much! You are so sweet!
Ooh this looks yum! Would love to make this, looks really simple!
thank you very much
I never make my own sauce, but you inspired me!
I am so glad! I hope you try this recipe. Easy and tasty!
This really looks amazing – I have to try making my own marinara!
Simple and delicious
We make homemade pizza every Friday evening. I bet if I let this simmer and thicken a bit, it would make great pizza sauce. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
that would be awesome. Maybe a little more tomato paste to thicken for pizza sauce.