Our Homemade Marinara Sauce Recipe is hearty and full of flavor. The sauce is so easy to prepare and is so much better than jarred sauce. better from crushed and diced tomatoes perfectly blended with onion, garlic, carrots, and herbs to give you the most aromatic tomato sauce.
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Why this recipe works
- 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 easy marinara sauce recipe uses just a few simple ingredients and is freezer-friendly.
- Make a triple batch of this simple sauce and freeze some for later.
A classic homemade marinara sauce made with crushed and diced tomatoes, perfectly blended with onion, garlic, carrots, and herbs to give you the most aromatic tomato sauce.
Ingredients
- crushed tomatoes/diced tomatoes: A combo of crushed tomatoes and diced tomatoes is my preference. Whole tomatoes can be used. Give them before adding them to the pot.
- fresh garlic - Use about 4, finely minced cloves. If you don't have fresh garlic, use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder or ½ teaspoon of garlic paste. Jarred minced garlic can be used as well.
- yellow onion - Fresh is always better but onion powder can be substituted.
- Italian seasoning: my top pick for seasoning.
- ground fennel: My secret ingredient to the best marinara sauce.
- carrot: Finely diced carrot, which cuts the acidity in the tomatoes.
Equipment
- skille
- Measuring Spoons and Cups
- Cutting Board
- Knives
Instructions
This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. Saute onions and carrots to soften for about 5 minutes.
- Stir in garlic and herbs and saute another minute to release flavors.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Let simmer, stirring occasionally for 30-35 minutes to blend flavors. Taste for seasoning, and adjust seasoning, if needed.
- Optional, use an immersion blender to puree the homemade marinara sauce.
- Serve with your favorite bowl of pasta, spaghetti, ravioli, etc. Garnish with fresh chopped basil, parsley, and parmesan cheese.
How to store, reheat, and freeze
- Marinara sauce can be kept in a covered airtight container in the refrigerator for about 3 days.
- Freezer: To freeze marinara, use a food saver to preserve the sauce but any sealable freezer-safe bag or container works well.
- 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 and reheat the sauce in a large saucepan over medium heat until heated through.
- 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
Marinara Sauce is made with just a few ingredients such as crushed tomatoes, 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.
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?
- 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 a garnish.
- Dried basil and dried oregano can be used in this easy pasta sauce. I'd start with 1 teaspoon of each.
- If tomato paste is unavailable, add some pasta water to the sauce for thickening.
- While I love the addition of carrots for the sweetness, it is okay to leave them out of the sauce. You may need a dash of sugar for sweetness.
Serving Suggestions
I love any comments or questions, please feel free to leave them below.
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Thank you for your continued support. I am forever grateful.
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! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Homemade Marinara Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
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.
Nutrition
Notes
- Note 1: Add the seasoning with the onions allowing the dried seasoning to develop flavor.
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- 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.
Teresa S
Just like my moms marinara sauce. She was born in Italy and I missed her sauce. This is exactly how she made it. My new go to authentic marinara
Chelsea
Very good! Caramelize that tomato paste and let the Basil cook with the sauce, if you're up for it. I loved it!
Eileen xo
I like the idea of caramelizing the tomato paste. I'm going to try this.
Susan
It says you can freeze the recipe. Can you can it?
Eileen xo
Hi Susan, I have not canned this sauce so I cannot speak from experience. Since freezing this sauce in quart and gallon freezer bags is so easy, it isn't something I have tried.
Ariella
Carrots cooked in tomato sauce are my favorite. What a great sauce to have on hand.
Eileen xo
We love this marinara, enjoy!
colleen kennedy
Love this recipe! The addition of carrots lends a delicious natural sweetness, Yum!
Eileen xo
Yes, Colleen. We love the addition of the carrots.
Caroline
This sounds and looks great and I definitely agree, good tomatoes make such a difference.
Eileen xo
Absolutely, Caroline, always use great tomatoes
Terri
I've never actually made this sauce from scratch because I did not have a recipe - I cannot wait to try it!
Eileen xo
Super easy Terri. It will change your life.So good.
Sue Ringsdorf
This marinara sauce is the best, and I love using it for all my Italian dishes. So good!
Eileen xo
Excellent, Sue. I appreciate your comments and so glad you enjoy the marinara sauce.
Anne Lawton
Homemade marinara sauce is always better than buying it, and this is such an easy recipe!
Eileen xo
Yes, Anne. freezes really well too.
Carlos Leo
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!
Eileen xo
Fabulous Carlos, I hope you enjoy the marinara!
Laura
I love that you added fenel!
Eileen xo
I learned this tip as a young girl, makes the sauce amazing.
Kerri Ann
My favorite sauce! Just like my Mom;s!
Eileen xo
That is awesome Kerri! I am so glad you enjoy!
Caitlin + Dani
This recipe looks fantastic. I have to make this for my boyfriend <3
Hannah
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.
Eileen xo
My hubbie eats this marinara sauce with garlic bread all the time - yummy!
Ana De- Jesus
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!
Debra
This looks amazing! I love an incredible marinara! I am going to have to try this one out very soon!
Eileen xo
Sounds like a wonderful idea
Cindy (Vegetarian Mamma)
Your recipe looks great! There is just something about the delicious smell of onion, garlic, carrots and celery satueeing! YUM
Eileen xo
I totally agree
Blythe A.
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.
Eileen xo
You don't need the ex! 🙂 Make this yourself and you wont buy too many jarred sauces again !
Jennifer Pilgrim
Great photography! This sounds easy and delicious.
Eileen xo
Thank you very much
Vicky
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!
Eileen xo
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
Jeanine
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.
Eileen xo
I hope upir husband makes this one. so super easy
Rose Sahetapy
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.
Eileen xo
Thank you so much Rose. You are so sweet
Koninika
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!
Eileen xo
That is great. Send me a pic When you make the sauce
Roxanne
I love a good marinara sauce! I never thought to make a batch to freeze! What a great idea!
Eileen xo
You must - super easy to just double or triple your recipe
jill conyers
Marinara sauce is one of my most often batch cooked recipes. The family loves it and it works with so many different recipes.
laura londergan
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 😉
Eileen xo
You are too kind. Thank you for the lovely compliment
Siniciliya
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
Eileen xo
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
Eileen xo
You are so sweet. Thank you so very much
michele
I love recipes that are made with simple ingredients I usually have on hand but then are AMAZING!! This looks like one of those!!
Eileen xo
You are too kind. Thank you
Amber NElson
I would love to try this sauce! I bet my kiddos would love this!
Eileen xo
Super simple and no preservatives...go for it
Fatima
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.
Eileen xo
I am a huge fan of simple and delish! I hope you make this one
Kait
Yum! This looks so good and your photos are amazing! I love making my own sauce, so saving this for sure 🙂
Eileen xo
Thank you so much! You are so sweet!
Megan McCoig
Ooh this looks yum! Would love to make this, looks really simple!
Eileen xo
thank you very much
Lauren
I never make my own sauce, but you inspired me!
Eileen xo
I am so glad! I hope you try this recipe. Easy and tasty!
Ahu @ Ahu Eats
This really looks amazing - I have to try making my own marinara!
Eileen xo
Simple and delicious
Jen V.
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!
Eileen xo
that would be awesome. Maybe a little more tomato paste to thicken for pizza sauce.