Best Homemade Marinara Sauce Recipe

Nothing beats the taste of fresh homemade marinara sauce simmering on your stove. This classic recipe proves that the best marinara sauce doesn’t require complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients – just quality tomatoes and a little time to let the flavors develop into something truly special.

Looking for more homemade sauce recipes? This Easy Alfredo Sauce Recipe is perfect for creamy pasta dishes, and this Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce adds authentic flavor to Mexican meals.

Reasons You’ll Love This Homemade Marinara Sauce Recipe

• Simple Pantry Ingredients: This marinara sauce recipe uses basic pantry ingredients you likely already have on hand. No need for specialty items or expensive additions – just quality canned tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, and herbs create amazing results.
• Versatile Kitchen Staple: Use this marinara sauce for pasta, as a pizza sauce on homemade pizza, a dipping sauce for breadsticks, or as a base for spaghetti and meatballs. One recipe gives you endless meal possibilities throughout the week.
• Quick Cooking Time: While the sauce simmers for 20 minutes to develop flavor, the total hands-on time is minimal. You can easily make this sauce while preparing other parts of your meal or batch cook it for the week.
• Authentic Italian Flavor: This classic marinara sauce delivers the authentic Italian taste you crave without artificial preservatives or added sugars found in many store-bought versions. The simple ingredients allow the tomato flavor to truly shine.

What is Marinara Sauce?

Marinara sauce is a simple tomato sauce that originated in Italian cuisine, traditionally made with tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and onions. This classic Italian sauce is one of the most fundamental red sauces in cooking, serving as the base for countless pasta dishes and Italian recipes. Unlike more complex tomato sauces, marinara sauce focuses on letting the quality of tomatoes shine through with minimal ingredients.

Homemade Marinara Sauce Ingredients

See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.

Ingredient Notes:

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil – One tablespoon of good quality extra virgin olive oil provides the foundation for sautéing and adds richness to the sauce. The olive oil helps build the flavor base and carries the aromatic compounds from the garlic and onions.
• Small Onion – One finely diced small onion adds sweetness and depth to the marinara sauce. The onion becomes translucent during cooking, melting into the sauce and providing a subtle background flavor that balances the acidity of the tomatoes.
• Garlic Cloves – Two finely minced garlic cloves create the aromatic base that defines authentic Italian flavor. Fresh garlic is essential here, as it provides a sharp, pungent note that mellows beautifully as it cooks.
• Crushed Tomatoes – A 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes forms the heart of this marinara sauce recipe. San Marzano tomatoes are ideal if available, but any quality canned crushed tomatoes will work perfectly for this homemade marinara sauce.
• Dried Oregano – Half a teaspoon of dried oregano adds the classic Italian herb flavor that’s essential to traditional marinara sauce. This herb provides earthy, slightly bitter notes that complement the sweetness of the tomatoes.
• Dried Parsley – Half a teaspoon of dried parsley contributes fresh, grassy notes and a subtle brightness to balance the richness of the other ingredients in this pasta sauce.
• Salt and Pepper – Season to taste, keeping in mind that some canned tomatoes contain sodium. These basic seasonings enhance all the other flavors and help the sauce taste complete.
• Fresh Basil or Parsley – Optional fresh herbs for garnish add a pop of color and fresh flavor when serving this homemade marinara sauce over pasta or with breadsticks.

Substitutions and Additions

• Tomato Variations – Use whole, peeled tomatoes and crush them by hand for a chunkier texture, or substitute with fresh tomatoes when in season. San Marzano canned tomatoes provide the most authentic Italian flavor if your budget allows.
• Heat Level – Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper during cooking to create a spicy marinara sauce that pairs perfectly with bold pasta dishes.
• Herb Alternatives – Replace dried herbs with fresh oregano and fresh basil leaves, using double the amount. Fresh herbs should be added during the last few minutes of cooking to preserve their bright flavor.
• Garlic Enhancement – Increase to 3-4 cloves of garlic for a more robust garlic marinara, or add a teaspoon of garlic powder along with the fresh garlic for deeper flavor.

How to Make Homemade Marinara Sauce (Step-by-Step Directions)

STEP 1. Heat the olive oil in a medium-sized saucepan over medium-high heat.

STEP 2. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, add the finely diced onions and minced garlic to the pan. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onions start to become translucent and the garlic becomes fragrant. (Photos 1 & 2)

STEP 3. Add the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, dried parsley, salt, and pepper to the saucepan. Stir everything together to combine all the ingredients evenly. The mixture will look quite liquidy at this point, which is exactly what you want. (Photos 3 & 4)

STEP 4. Once the sauce starts to bubble actively, reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Allow the sauce to simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. During this time, the sauce will reduce and thicken to the desired consistency.

STEP 5. Taste the marinara sauce and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more salt, pepper, or herbs to suit your preference.

STEP 6. Remove from heat and garnish with freshly chopped parsley or basil if desired. Serve immediately over pasta, with breadsticks, or use as needed for your recipe. (Photo 5)

Recipe Tips

• Tomato Quality Matters – Taste your canned tomatoes before adding salt, as some brands are higher in sodium than others. Quality tomatoes make a noticeable difference in the final flavor of your marinara sauce.
• Texture Control – For a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender to puree the mixture after cooking. For chunkier texture, break up whole peeled tomatoes with your hands before adding to the pan.
• Flavor Development – Don’t rush the simmering process. The 20-minute cooking time allows the sauce to reduce properly and the flavors to meld together for the best taste.
• Fresh Herb Timing – If using fresh herbs instead of dried, add them during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking to preserve their bright flavor and prevent them from becoming bitter.

Storing Tips

• Storage: Allow the marinara sauce to cool completely before transferring to storage containers. Proper cooling prevents condensation and maintains the best texture.
• Refrigerator: Store the cooled sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. The flavors often improve after a day, making leftovers even more delicious.
• Freezing: This marinara sauce freezes beautifully for up to 6 months. Freeze in portion-sized containers or ice cube trays for easy use in future recipes.
• Reheating: Gently reheat the sauce in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much during storage.

Serving Suggestions

This homemade marinara sauce pairs perfectly with classic Italian dishes and beyond. Serve it over your favorite pasta with some Homemade Italian Breadsticks for an authentic Italian meal, or use it as a base for Baked Chicken Parmesan.

Transform this marinara into a heartier meal by using it in Baked Ziti Pasta With White Alfredo Sauce or as the sauce for Homemade Air Fryer Meat Lover’s Pizza. The versatility of this sauce makes it perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

You can also use this marinara sauce as a dipping sauce alongside Easy Homemade Garlic Bread or Pull-apart Garlic Cheesy Bread for a complete Italian-inspired appetizer spread.

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