This homemade marinara sauce is easy to make and has the most amazing flavor. Made with crushed tomatoes, onions, spices, fresh garlic and basil. This classic Italian recipe will rival your favorite Italian restaurant. It’s so good that your family will never want the bottled stuff again.
Marinara Sauce Ingredients
The key to the best marinara sauce is using quality ingredients and fresh herbs. I have included everything I recommend for this recipe.
- Tomatoes:
- Onion: Yellow onions are a great choice for their mild flavor. Sweet and white onions are another good choice.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic is a key component of this recipe.
- Herbs: I use a combination of fresh and dried herbs for this sauce. Fresh chopped basil is a must for the best flavor. But, dried oregano works well and is even better when it is fresh.
- Spices: Less is more in this recipe. A little sea salt and ground black pepper add the best flavor to the fresh basil.
- Olive Oil: Only a little is needed to saute the fresh garlic and onion.
- Sugar: Used to balance out the acidity of the tomatoes and only a small amount is used. It may not be needed depending on the brand of tomatoes you use.
How To Make Marinara Sauce
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion stirring occasionally until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and saute 1 additional minute.
- Next, add crushed tomatoes (with juice), oregano, salt, black pepper, fresh basil, sugar and tomato paste. Stir until ingredients are well combined. Bring to a slight boil then reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Serve sauce while still warm over your favorite pasta and top with Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped basil.
Recipe Variations
- Make It Spicy: Adding just a little crushed red pepper flake will do the trick. I recommend starting with 1/8 teaspoon and mixing it in. Then, taste and add more if needed.
- Add More Flavor: Fresh sage, rosemary, and thyme are all great additions to this classic Italian recipe.
- Make It Cheesy: When the sauce is done simmering mix in 1/2 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
- Turn It Into A Rose Sauce: Add in 1/2 cup of half and half or heavy cream to make it a delicious creamy sauce.
- Make It Smooth: If you prefer a smoother sauce. All you need to do is add it to a blender once it is done simmering. Then, just blend it to your desired consistency. You can also add 1/4 cup of water or chicken broth to make it runnier.
Can I Freeze Marinara Sauce?
Yes, I like to triple or even quadruple this recipe and save some for later. Let the marinara sauce cool to room temperature. Then add it to small jars in meal size portions. The sauce freezes incredibly well and will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To thaw the marinara sauce, leave it in the refrigerator overnight to thaw. Then you can reheat it on the store stop or microwave.
Marinara Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup yellow onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (finely minced)
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes (canned)
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh basil (finely minced)
- ½ tsp sugar
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion stirring occasionally until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and saute 1 additional minute.
- Next, add crushed tomatoes (with juice), oregano, salt, black pepper, fresh basil, sugar and tomato paste. Stir until ingredients are well combined. Bring to a slight boil then reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Serve sauce while still warm over your favorite pasta and top with Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped basil.
Notes
- Nutrition estimate is for sauce only, does not include pasta.
Nutrition
Have you tried this recipe?
RATE and COMMENT below! I would love to hear your experience. Getting feedback from you helps me and other readers too!
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I love this recipe. I love homemade marinara sauces. They are so much more flavorful. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much. I am glad that you liked it.
Homemade marinara sauce looks brilliant and a gorgeous color!! Love the fact how easy these are sauces are to make at home. Lovely share!
I love how easy they are to make as well. Thank you so much for stopping by.
love that this just takes 30 minutes! I love making extra and freezing it for later. great ideas!
Thank you so much! Sadly the extra sauce never lasts too long around my house.
There’s nothing quite like fresh homemade tomato sauce. This is an excellent recipe – definitely a keeper!
I totally agree! The flavor is so much better when it is homemade.
Gave this a try for a spaghetti dinner and it did not disappoint! So hearty and bold; way better than a store bought version!
So happy you enjoyed it!
This was so simple to make and so delicious! Beats store bought any day of the week!
It totally agree!
Nothing compares to a homemade sauce. This is so versatile and great base recipe to have on hand. Delicious!
Thank you! I try to keep it on hand for all my favorite dishes.
I love a good marinara sauce as it’s so versatile. Need to try this soon!
Once you try it you will be addicted.
This looks so delicious and easy! I can’t wait to make this! I love making homemade recipes!
Let me know what you think when you try it.
Such a bold and robust recipe; loved all the aromas! So much better than the store bought version!
I love the way my house smells when I make it.
It’s easy to forget how easy making your own marinara sauce can be, and this one is amazing! Easy ingredients that you’ll likely have in your pantry at any given time. Thank you!
Homemade is definitely better. I’m so glad you like it!
Love this homemade marinara sauce recipe!! The flavors are so rich and deep – it totally elevated our pasta dinner last night!!
Thank you, I’m so glad you loved it!
Never buying store-bought again! Perfect recipe!
I hope that you enjoy it.
Homemade fresh sauce is the best I love everything about this recipe its just perfect for angel hair pasta!
I love using it on whole wheat angel hair pasta.
I am a big fan of homemade from scratch recipes. This sauce looks absolutely delicious, can’t wait to try!
We love homemade as well, so much better than store bought!