This post may contain affiliate links, please see the privacy policy for details.
Skip the store-bought marinara and instead make your own easy marinara sauce using just a handful of pantry staples. This classic bright red tomato sauce comes together in under 30 minutes and is rich with flavor from sautéed onion, garlic and herbs. Whether you’re serving it with pasta, using it as a pizza base or pairing it with meatballs, this homemade version is simple, versatile and much more flavorful than anything you can find in a grocery store. Keep this recipe on hand for a go-to sauce everyone will love.
Why You’ll Love It
This easy marinara sauce is full of flavor, made with garlic, herbs and crushed tomatoes. It’s quick, simple and ideal for pasta, pizza, subs, or dipping.
Easy to make: Just a few steps and ingredients give you bold, homemade flavor.
Budget-friendly: Uses affordable pantry staples you likely already have.
Versatile: Works great with pasta, pizza, meatballs, or as a dipping sauce for mozzarella sticks or breaded mushrooms.
Better than store-bought: No preservatives or added sugar, just real ingredients.
Gluten-free and dairy-free: There’s no gluten or dairy in this sauce. It’s also suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
You might also like to try this similar garlic marinara sauce, homemade spicy mayo, tangy whole lemon vinaigrette, or an easy tomato paste from scratch.
Best Marinara Sauce Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Olive oil: Provides a rich base for sautéing and adds depth to the sauce.
Yellow onion: Adds sweetness and body to the sauce.
Garlic: Brings a bold, aromatic flavor to the dish.
Canned crushed tomatoes: Serve as the heart of the sauce, creating a thick, rich base. I typically choose San Marzano tomatoes when making tomato sauce recipes.
Oregano and parsley: Add warmth and a classic Italian herb profile.
Fresh basil or parsley: Optional garnish that adds freshness and color.
How to Make Marinara Sauce
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Sauté the aromatics: Cook the onion and garlic in olive oil in a medium pot for a few minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the tomatoes and seasonings: Add crushed tomatoes, herbs, salt and pepper.
Simmer the sauce: Reduce the heat and let the sauce cook down until thickened to your liking.
Finish and garnish: Taste and adjust seasoning, then serve garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
Substitutions and Variations
Add a pinch of sugar: If your tomatoes are very acidic, a small amount of sugar can help balance the flavor (either brown or white). Another option would be a splash of balsamic vinegar.
Use fresh herbs: Swap dried oregano and parsley for fresh if you have them on hand, using double the amount if using fresh herbs. You can also add fresh basil to the sauce.
Make it spicy: Add crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper for a kick of heat.
Use canned whole tomatoes: Blend them before using for a slightly chunkier texture.
Serving Suggestions
As a spaghetti sauce: With its delicious and rich tomato flavor, this pasta sauce goes with any kind of pasta and perhaps regular or vegan meatballs.
With a sandwich: It would be great in Italian meatball marinara subs.
As a dipping sauce: Pair it with breadsticks, pizza sliders or pizza bagel bites. You could also serve marinara sauce with homemade chicken nuggets or crispy chicken mozzarella sticks.
How to Store
Store: Let leftovers cool completely and then store in an airtight container in the fridge. Leftover sauce should keep for up to 4 days.
Freeze: You can freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months. I like to freeze this quick marinara sauce in large ice cube trays (these work great!) so I can simply pop out however much I need at a time.
Thaw: Defrost it in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheat: To serve it warm, reheat it in a pan on the stove over a medium low heat or in the microwave on half power.
Top Tips
Start with quality tomatoes: The better the tomatoes, the better the sauce.
Don’t rush the simmer: Letting the sauce cook down develops a deeper, richer flavor.
Mince your garlic: I like to finely mince my garlic cloves for better distribution throughout the sauce.
Use a wide pan: This helps the sauce reduce more quickly and evenly.
Taste as you go: Add more kosher salt or sea salt and/or herbs near the end if needed. Some canned tomatoes are high in sodium, so you might need to add less salt to the marinara recipe.
Marinara Sauce from Scratch FAQs
Yes, just peel and crush them first. You may need to simmer a bit longer for the right texture.
Just simmer longer over a medium heat and it will reduce.
Homemade Marinara Sauce Recipe
Easy Marinara Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 2 Cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 onion, small, finely diced
- 1 Can crushed tomatoes, 28-Ounce
- ½ Teaspoon parsley, dried
- ½ Teaspoon oregano, dried
- salt and black pepper, to taste
Optional Garnish
- basil or parsley, fresh
Instructions
- Add the oil to a medium pot over a moderately high heat.
- Add the garlic and onions, and sauté 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often, until the garlic is fragrant and the onion is beginning to become translucent.
- Add the dried herbs, salt, pepper, and crushed tomatoes, stirring to combine.
- Once the sauce begins to bubble, turn the heat down and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until reduced to your preferred consistency.
- Serve garnished with freshly chopped herbs, if liked.
Notes
Don’t rush the simmer: Letting the sauce cook down develops a deeper, richer flavor.
Mince your garlic: I like to finely mince my garlic cloves for better distribution throughout the sauce.
Use a wide pan: This helps the sauce reduce more quickly and evenly.
Taste as you go: Add more kosher salt or sea salt and/or herbs near the end if needed. Some canned tomatoes are high in sodium, so you might need to add less salt to the marinara recipe.
Nutrition
This easy marinara sauce is a recipe worth memorizing. It’s fast, full of flavor and works with everything from pasta and lasagna to eggplant or meatball subs. The ingredients are simple but come together beautifully, creating a sauce that tastes immeasurably better than anything in a jar. Once you make this homemade marinara sauce recipe, you’ll never look back. Whether for a weeknight dinner or weekend pizza night, this sassy sauce will earn a permanent spot in your rotation. It’s the best marinara sauce I’ve made.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
