Why this homemade marinara sauce so good?
A classic marinara sauce is a must-have in the kitchen! We all love to pair a rich and robust tomato sauce with pastas, breads, and basically any carbs within reaching distance. While it is convenient to pop open a jar, once you see how easy it is to make the most wholesome and delicious version from scratch you’ll prefer our version every time. The best homemade marinara sauce is a pantry staple made with pantry staples. My recipe uses less than a dozen ingredients, many which you probably have on hand right now! Simple items like canned tomatoes, garlic and onion are simmered with a few key spices and fresh herbs… There is nothing fancy, just quality ingredients treated well to bring out their wonderful natural flavors. In under 30 minutes you have a delicious and versatile marinara sauce that’s ready to enjoy with noodles, on pizzas, and more. Keep reading for the easy steps and top tips for how to make my favorite recipe for marinara sauce - PLUS tasty ideas for all kinds of ways to put the sauce to use in your kitchen! *For more comforting and delicious recipes, also try these great dishes:
Tahini Sauce Creamy Avocado Pasta Easy Creamed Spinach Butternut Squash Pasta Basil Pesto
Ingredients you will need
Olive Oil: High-quality oil will best enhance the flavors of the tomato sauce. Yellow Onion: A sweet variety of onion with less bite than white onion. Garlic: Bold and earthy, an essential ingredient in traditional Italian cooking. Fresh Oregano and Basil: Using fresh herbs really brightens the sauce versus dried herbs. But in a pinch dried varieties will still be delicious! Red Pepper Flakes: For a delightful bit of heat that cuts through the tanginess of the tomato and herbs. Feel free to omit if you prefer a completely mild dish. Salt and Pepper: To taste. Canned Whole Peeled Tomatoes: Classic to make the best and most authentic and easy homemade marinara sauce. Sugar: The secret ingredient to mellow out any tin-y taste from the canned tomatoes.
How to make marinara sauce?
Expert tips
Get your desired consistency. We love it a little chunky, if you want smooth sauce, feel free to blend it using hand blender. Increase or decrease the spiciness. Increase red pepper flakes for spicier sauce. Totally omit the red pepper for a mild sauce. Add butter. A few pats of butter towards the end of cooking makes the marinara extra delicious with rich flavor. Use more fresh herbs. In addition to fresh basil you can increase the herb-y zing with some fresh sprig of rosemary or thyme.
Ways to use this sauce
Pasta: Toss this simple homemade marinara sauce with cooked noodles. It’s great to use as a base for just about any pasta recipe! Pizzas: This is a good stand in for my homemade pizza sauce… Use it to make quick and easy personal naan pizzas or large ‘zas to share. Lasagne: Use the sauce to make layered veggie or meat lasagna. Sandwiches: Spoon a generous serving of marinara onto chicken or eggplant parmesan sandwiches, or meatball subs with melty cheese. Meatballs: Speaking of, this sauce is terrific for simmering store bought or homemade meatballs! Dips: Serve a ramekin of warm marinara for dipping breadsticks, cheesy bread, garlic knots, or other favorite dippers.
Storing and freezing the sauce
This zesty tomato sauce is terrific to make ahead! I like to prepare a large batch - or two - and have ready to use all week or in the coming months. To store leftovers: Cool completely and transfer to a clean airtight container. Store marinara in the fridge for up to 5 days. How to freeze: Transfer the cooled sauce to a freezer-safe container. Wrap in a layer of aluminum foil for maximum protection. Keep in the freezer for up to 4 months.
You might also like
If you made this recipe for my homemade Marinara, then please be sure to rate and review it below! If you’d like more deliciously easy recipe inspiration, follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook or YouTube. You can also get all of my newest content delivered straight to your inbox by signing up for my email newsletter.
📖 Recipe
