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Classic Marinara Sauce is a versatile little recipe to have on hand.  The humble marinara sauce ingredients are simmered for just 20 minutes into a richly flavored sauce that can be used in a myriad  of ways.  

A clear glass mason jar filled with marinara sauce. A wooden spoon rests next to the jar.

 

 

This simple marinara sauce comes together in a pinch. The onions and garlic are sautéed until soft, then they’re tossed into a blender or food processor with the tomatoes and spices.  The mixture is then simmered for just 20 minutes so the flavors can marry and really shine.

A clear glass mixing bowl filled with tomatoes. Next to the bowl is a small bowl filled with olive oil and a white plate filled with seasoning for homemade marinara sauce. These are marinara sauce ingredients.

What is Marinara Sauce?

Italian Marinara Sauce is an easy tomato sauce recipe that’s made from tomatoes (fresh or canned), herbs and garlic that can be used for many different meals, such as …

  • Meatballs
  • Vegetable Primavera
  • Ratatouille
  • Pizza
  • Chicken Parmesan
  • As a dip for mozzarella sticks or Baked Zucchini Chips

Marinara Sauce Ingredients

The list of marinara sauce ingredients is a simple one.  

  • 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
  • 1 28-ounce can whole tomatoes
  • 2  tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • salt to taste
  • 1 large sprig fresh basil

Variations

  • I typically add chicken stock when making this sauce, but when I really want a richer and more boldly flavorful sauce, I’ll use about a quarter cup of wine such as a chianti, and a quarter cup of chicken broth.
  • I like my sauce a little on the garlicky side, so I go with 3 – 4 cloves here.  Basil or no basil?  Sometimes I’ll submerge a large sprig of basil into this sauce at the end when it’s cooking to add another layer of flavor.  

A yellow pot filled with a red sauce.

How to Make Homemade Marinara Sauce

This basic marinara sauce comes together in about 30 minutes start-to-finish.

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
  2. Add the onion and cook for 3 – 4 minutes or until the onions start to soften.
  3. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
  4. While the onions are cooking, place the Italian tomatoes, parsley and oregano in food processor.
  5. After the onions and garlic have cooked, add them  to the food processor with the tomatoes and process until well blended.
  6. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil back to the skillet.
  7. Add the tomato mixture back to the skillet and bring to a simmer over low heat.
  8. Stir in the coconut sugar, chili pepper flakes and chicken stock.
  9. Simmer sauce for 15 – 20 minutes.
  10. Submerge the basil sprig to the sauce during the last five minutes of cooking (optional).
  11. Salt and pepper to taste.

A yellow pot filled with marinara sauce. A wooden spoon sits next to the pot.

A clear glass mason jar filled with a tomato puree.

This is a great little Italian marinara sauce  to make ahead of time.  It can be made in large batches and then placed in the freezer for later use.

More Easy Italian Recipes

A clear glass mason jar filled with marinara sauce. A wooden spoon sits next to the jar.
Yield: 4 servings

Classic Marinara Sauce

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

This Classic Marinara Sauce is a versatile little recipe to have on hand. It’s humble ingredients are simmered for just 20 minutes into a richly flavored sauce that can be used in a myriad of ways. I love to simmer chunky pieces of zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower and carrot in this sauce and serve over gluten-free noodles for a quick and easy primavera.

Ingredients

  • 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
  • 1 28-ounce can whole tomatoes
  • 2  tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves
  • 2 teaspoons coconut sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • salt to taste
  • 1 large sprig fresh basil

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
  2. Add the onion and cook for 3 - 4 minutes or until the onions start to soften.
  3. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
  4. While the onions are cooking, place the Italian tomatoes, parsley and oregano in food processor.
  5. After the onions and garlic have cooked, add them to the food processor with the tomatoes and process until well blended.
  6. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil back to the skillet.
  7. Add the tomato mixture back to the skillet and bring to a simmer over low heat.
  8. Stir in the coconut sugar, chili pepper flakes and chicken stock.
  9. Simmer sauce for 15 - 20 minutes.
  10. Submerge the basil sprig to the sauce during the last five minutes of cooking (optional).
  11. Salt and pepper to taste.
© Deborah
Category: Sides