Easy Homemade Marinara Sauce
This easy homemade marinara sauce is made with simple staple ingredients like canned tomatoes, onion, garlic, and herbs. Use it with pasta, casseroles and more!
If you’re not already making your own marinara sauce, I’m here to talk to you into it! It requires just 5 ingredients, costs about $5 total, and you only need 20 minutes to make it.
Making marinara sauce with fresh tomatoes is amazing, but canned tomatoes deliver consistent, delicious flavor no matter the season. And this simpler marinara sauce is what I use for everyday cooking year-round! Use it as a simple pasta sauce, as a base for soups, in casserole recipes, as a sub for pizza sauce, and in so many other ways.
Why this canned tomato marinara sauce should be your go-to
- Cheaper to make than to buy, and better than store-bought.
- Quick and easy, so it’s perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute meals.
- Easily customizable with added meat, mushrooms, spices and herbs.
- A great make-ahead staple to keep stashed in the freezer.
Ingredients you’ll need
- Canned crushed tomatoes: Use diced tomatoes if you prefer a chunkier sauce.
- Fresh onion and garlic
- Fresh herbs: Like rosemary, basil, oregano or thyme (I use whatever I happen to have on hand). Dried herbs will also work.
- Brown sugar: Canned tomatoes aren’t as sweet as fresh tomatoes, so I usually like to add just a touch of sweetness to balance out the acidity. This is optional, of course.
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
How to make this easy marinara sauce recipe
- Cook onions and garlic in olive oil till softened.
- Add canned tomatoes.
- Stir in herbs and seasonings. Adjust to taste.
- Simmer sauce for at least 10 minutes (or up to 1 hour on low heat to let the flavors develop).
- Use immediately or store for later. If you prefer a smooth sauce, blend with an immersion blender or blender.
Storage tips
This marinara sauce keeps really well! Store in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for a month or more. If freezing, lay ziplock bags of marinara sauce flat until frozen solid, or use souper cubes for easy portioning and freezing.
Variations
Use this homemade marinara sauce as a jumping off point!
- Meat Sauce— Brown 8 ounces sausage or ground beef in pot first before cooking onions.
- Mushroom Marinara Sauce— Cook 8 ounces sliced button or cremini mushrooms with onions.
- Spicy Marinara Sauce— Add ¼-½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes along with the other seasonings.
- Combination Marinara Sauce— Combine any or all of the options above!
Ways to use this marinara sauce
Get the recipe
Easy Homemade Marinara Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ onion , chopped
- 3 cloves garlic , minced
- 28 can crushed tomatoes (use traditional or Italian-style)
- 1 tablespoon fresh herbs such as rosemary, thyme, basil, oregano (or 1 teaspoon dried such as Italian seasoning)
- 1 tablespoon light or dark brown sugar (optional)
- Salt and pepper , to taste
Instructions
- Add olive oil to large pot or skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook for a few minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
- Add crushed tomatoes, herbs, brown sugar if using, and salt and pepper.
- Simmer on medium low heat for at least 10 minutes, or up to 1 hour if you have the time.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- This sauce is slightly chunky, if you prefer a smooth sauce blend with an immersion blender or blender.
- Use sauce immediately or store in the fridge for up to 1 week or in the freezer for a month or more.
