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    Home » Recipes » Condiments, Sauces and Spices » Easy Marinara Sauce

    By Amy · Published: Mar 14, 2022 · Updated: Mar 14, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy Leave a Comment

    Easy Marinara Sauce

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    A pot of marinara sauce with a wooden spoon and overlay text.

    This delicious Marinara Sauce is prepared with simple ingredients and is so EASY to make in just 35 minutes. You’ll never want to use store-bought again!

    Overhead view of a wooden spoon in a pot of homemade marinara sauce.

    Serve it over your favorite pasta, use it in chicken Parmesan, or as a dipping sauce for calzones… this sauce can be used in so many ways! I suggest making a double batch because it freezes beautifully, as well.

    Marinara Sauce Ingredients

    Overhead view of ingredients for marinara sauce with overlay text.
    • Crushed tomatoes – canned
    • Tomato paste
    • Yellow onion
    • Salt and black pepper – feel free to adjust the amounts to your taste!
    • Basil – fresh
    • Olive oil
    • Crushed red pepper flakes – I only use a pinch of red pepper flakes and this sauce is not overly hot or spicy at all. Feel free to omit them (or increase the amount if you love heat!).
    • Oregano – dried
    • Garlic
    • Bay leaf

    How to Prepare

    Following is a brief overview – please see the recipe card for full detailed instructions and ingredient amounts.

    The process of making homemade marinara sauce.
    1. Cook onion in olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Add garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds.
    2. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper and bay leaf. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    Removing a bay leaf from marinara sauce and stirring in fresh basil.
    1. Remove and discard bay leaf.
    2. Stir in chopped fresh basil.
    Front view of a wooden spoon in a pot of marinara sauce.

    Number of Servings

    This recipe yields approximately 3 1/4 cups of sauce, which is 6 servings of a little over 1/2 cup each. If your family LOVES marinara sauce (like I do!), this recipe can easily be doubled (or even tripled!). Just be sure to use the appropriate size saucepan.

    Front view of a white bowl of pasta topped with homemade marinara sauce.

    Enjoy!

    More Easy Homemade Sauces

    • Homemade Barbecue Sauce
    • Tartar Sauce
    • Easy Alfredo Sauce

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    Overhead view of a wooden spoon in a red pot of homemade marinara sauce.

    Easy Marinara Sauce

    This delicious homemade marinara sauce is so EASY to make using simple ingredients in just 35 minutes!
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Sauces
    Cuisine: Italian
    Keyword: easy marinara sauce
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Author: Amy

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • ¾ cup diced yellow onion
    • 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
    • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
    • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
    • ¾ teaspoon dried oregano
    • 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 bay leaf
    • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

    Instructions

    • Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Add onion and cook until softened (stirring frequently), about 3 minutes.
    • Add garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
    • Add crushed tomatoes with juices, tomato paste, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper and bay leaf. Stir to combine.
    • Bring to a simmer and reduce heat as necessary to maintain a simmer (medium low to low).
    • Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring about 3 times during simmering. *Exercise caution when removing lid to stir – the sauce tends to splatter while simmering. Stir about 3 times (every 6 to 7 minutes) during simmering to prevent sticking to the bottom of the pan.
    • Remove from heat. Remove bay leaf and discard. Stir in fresh basil.

    Notes

    • This recipe yields approximately 3 1/4 cups.
    • To store in the fridge, allow to cool, place in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3 to 4 days.
    • To freeze, allow to cool and place in an airtight container.  Freeze for up to 6 months.  

    Nutrition

    Calories: 99kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 606mg | Potassium: 483mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 412IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 2mg

    If provided, nutritional info is a courtesy, is not guaranteed and should only be considered as a guideline.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @TheBlondCook or tag #theblondcook!

    HUNGRY FOR MORE?

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    Hey, I'm Amy Brinkley! Welcome to my online kitchen. I love cooking simple, family-friendly recipes with everyday ingredients.

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