Marinara Sauce  Recipe

the best!

Why you'll love this marinara sauce

- Ready in 45 minutes  - Only 6 ingredients.  - The perfect blank slate for all your saucy dishes like spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna, and chicken parmesan.  - Freezes well so you can make a big batch and save some for later. 

The best homemade marinara sauce recipe

Quick and simple marinara sauce with tomatoes, fresh basil, and garlic.  It can be used as a pasta sauce, with meatballs, or for a dipping sauce.  It's a great sauce to keep on hand in the freezer for a quick meal!

homemade marinara sauce

12 servings

yield

prep time

cook time

total time

10 min

35 min

45 min

Ingredients

Extra virgin olive oil Yellow onion Fresh garlic Tomato paste Whole peeled tomatoes Dried oregano Fresh basil Salt

Heat a large pot or dutch oven then add in olive oil. Sweat onions for about 10 minutes until softening and translucent. Then add in garlic. 

next  step

SWEAT

Arrow

1

Mix in tomato paste and stir with the onions. Cook for 2-3 minutes to allow tomato paste to darken and caramelize. 

next  step

CARAMELIZE

Arrow

2

Pour in tomatoes, water, and oregano. Break up large tomato chunks with a potato masher to desired consistency. If you want a really smooth sauce you can use an immersion blender. 

next  step

MASH

Arrow

3

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a low simmer. Add in fresh basil. Cook uncovered for about 20 minutes. If you're cooking with meatballs, add them in now.

next  step

SIMMER

Arrow

4

Cook pasta to al dente. Toss homemade marinara sauce with a splash of pasta water and cooked pasta. Enjoy! Top with meatballs or chicken parm. 

SERVE

5

blackened chicken

add a protein

italian meatballs

seared shrimp

want more pasta?  see all the pasta recipes here

hungry for more?

I'm Lauren!

I create recipes for people who LOVE to cook from scratch.  Check out the website for recipes like creamy pastas, Cajun specialties, mouth watering mains, and all your favorite homemade dishes