Our classic Marinara Sauce recipe only uses 6 ingredients and can be made with fresh or canned tomatoes. It only takes 20 minutes to make, and is so delicious and easy you’ll never buy it in a jar again.
Everyone loves Italian recipes! Make sure to try Chicken Marsala Pasta, Panna Cotta, Meatballs Arrabbiata, or Creamy Zuppa Toscana!
Ditch the jar for our 20-Minute Marinara Sauce.
Ditch the jar for our 20-Minute Marinara Sauce. First of all, what is marinara sauce? So many people get it confused with pizza sauce or spaghetti sauce. They’re all tomato based sauces, but Spaghetti sauce has more seasoning, and may contain meat or veggies and pizza sauce has more herbs. Marinara is the simplest, but done right, it’s bursting with flavor and tastes so fresh. Making it from scratch us healthier, tastes better, made in one pot, and is ready in just 20 minutes! Make a large batch and keep it portioned in the freezer.
Use it as a dip for our favorite Cheesy Breadsticks or Stromboli, or serve over Chicken Parmesan, Manicotti, Meatball Subs, or just over some pasta with fresh basil and parmesan cheese. The options are endless!
How to make Marinara Sauce:
Crush Tomatoes: Pour the can of San Marzano tomatoes in a large bowl and crush them with your hands. If using fresh tomatoes, blanch them and remove the skins before crushing.
Simmer: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat then add garlic, stirring constantly. Add crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, sugar, and salt then turn down to simmer. Allow this quick marinara sauce to cook for at least 15-20 minutes, until the oil on the top is a deep orange color.
Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions:
To Make Ahead: Let the classic marinara sauce cool completely then store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
To Freeze: Freeze marinara in an airtight container or freezer safe bag for up to 4 months.
Use Marinara Sauce In:
- Meatball Subs
- Chicken Parmesan
- Toasted Ravioli
- Homemade Egg Noodles
- Spaghetti Pie
- Cheesy Garlic Breadsticks
- Pizza
- One Pan Meatball Casserole
- Lasagna Soup
- Pizza Casserole
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Recipe
Marinara Sauce
Ingredients
- 28 ounce can whole San Marzano tomatoes*
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon Dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil leaves
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Crush the tomatoes with your hands into a large bowl. Set aside.
- Add oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the garlic. Stir and then add the crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, sugar, and salt. Reduce to a simmer and cook for at least 15-20 minutes, until the oil on the surface turns a deep orange.
Notes
Nutrition
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I originally shared this recipe August 2019. Updated September 2024.
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Can this Marinara Sauce be canned in a hot water bath, looks very easy to make.
For safe canning, I always recommend referring to a trusted source like the National Center for Home Food Preservation or Ball/Kerr for proper processing times and acidity adjustments. Tomato-based sauces often need added lemon juice or citric acid to ensure safe pH levels for water bath canning. Always follow tested canning recipes for food safety!
-Stacy
Its not from scratch, you use canned tomatoes!!!
Oh my goodness! This is delicious and so easy to make. I can’t imagine buying expensive jarred sauce again. Thank you for making me feel like I can actually cook!
I made this originally for the lasagna soup recipe. So awesome! However, when I tasted it, I discovered that it’s almost the same recipe my mom used for her homemade pizzas when I was a kid! So when I use it for pizza, I add sauteed shallots finely cut and a bit more garlic. I also use my own dried oregano and fresh basil.
Really liked this! Favorite marinara we have made lately.