Easy Marinara Sauce Recipe (2024)

This easy homemade marinara sauce recipe is the best! So easy to make with made with simple ingredients. This delicious marinara will quickly become a family favorite! Make with canned or fresh tomatoes!

This marinara sauce is one of those recipes I repeatedly turn to. I love making it with fresh tomatoes from the garden when they are in season or using canned tomatoes when I need to use pantry staple ingredients. It comes together quickly and then simmers for a rich, luxurious marinara sauce that my whole family loves.

It is delicious served with my easy homemade meatballs, layered in my lasagna, and spooned over chicken parmesan.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy. This homemade marinara sauce is so easy to make! It comes together quickly with the majority of the cooking time spent allowing the marinara sauce to simmer. Don’t skip the simmer, it makes the sauce!
• Delicious. This homemade marinara sauce tastes like restaurant-quality marinara! I love that!
• Simple ingredients. Made with eight ingredients that are pantry staples, you can make this easy marinara sauce for dinner tonight!

How to Make Easy Marinara Sauce Recipe

I prefer my marinara sauce to still have bits of tomato in it, but if you prefer a smoother marinara sauce, you can blend it with your immersion blender until it reaches the consistency you prefer. It usually only takes a minute or two. If you don’t have an immersion blender, a standard blender or a food processor will do the trick!

Ingredients

Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.

• Olive oil – use a delicious high-quality olive oil here. It makes a difference.
• Garlic – minced fresh garlic is delicious, but you can also use my quick substitute if you prefer. See the Even Easier recipe tip below.
• Onion – adds flavor and texture to the marinara sauce. If you don’t care for onions, you can omit them.
• Crushed tomatoes – use great quality tomatoes or even use whole tomatoes if you prefer. Choose a brand that has less acidity if possible.
• Seasonings: salt, pepper, oregano, and thyme
• Optional ingredients: red pepper flakes (if you like your marinara sauce a bit spicier), sugar (if you find your canned tomatoes are too acidic.)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add garlic and onions and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning to your preference.
2. Simmer until slightly thickened, about 30 minutes.

Marinara Sauce with Fresh Tomatoes Recipe

I love to use fresh tomatoes in this recipe when they are in season!

Substitute 4 pounds of fresh tomatoes for the canned tomatoes in the recipe. Pulse the tomatoes (with the peelings on them) in a food process or cut them into chunks and press them with a potato masher. You will have bits of tomato peelings and the seeds remaining in the marinara sauce, but it will be delicious!

Storage Tips

To store. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep for about 1 week.

To make ahead. Prepare and cool. Store in an airtight container for up to a week in the refrigerator. Reheat and serve.

To freeze. Prepare and cool completely. Store in an airtight, freezer-safe container and store in the freezer for up to 6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat and serve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here’s how I make my marinara sauce recipe.

Enjoy!
Robyn xo

From the Add a Pinch recipe archives. Originally published 2012.