Description
This Homemade Marinara Sauce is rich, vibrant, and incredibly simple—made with tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and herbs for a classic Italian flavor that never goes out of style. Simmered gently to develop depth, this sauce is perfect for pasta, pizza, meatballs, seafood, or as a dipping sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely diced (optional but traditional)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes or San Marzano tomatoes
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp dried basil (or 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped)
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
Optional Add-Ins
- 1 tbsp tomato paste (for deeper flavor)
- Fresh parsley or basil for garnish
- Splash of red wine
Instructions
1. Sauté the Aromatics
- Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Add onion and cook 4–5 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
2. Build the Sauce
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, salt, pepper, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes.
- Add sugar or tomato paste if using.
- Bring to a gentle simmer.
3. Simmer
- Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
4. Finish
- Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Stir in fresh basil if using.
5. Serve
- Use immediately or let cool and store.
Notes
San Marzano tomatoes give the best flavor if available.
Sauce freezes beautifully in portions.
- Prep Time: PT10M
- Cook Time: PT25M
- Category: Sauces
- Method: Stovetop / Simmered
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ½ cup
- Calories: 90 Kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg