Homemade marinara sauce is great as a dip, pizza sauce or served over your favorite pasta. This easy, tomato-based sauce is oil-free and only requires 2 main ingredients! It's so simple it can be simmering on the stove in less than 5 minutes.
Homemade marinara sauce is better than any jarred store brand. With a homemade sauce, you can adjust the seasonings to your liking.
- If you like a spicy marinara add extra pepper for a kick.
- For a garlic marinara, sauté a few garlic cloves before adding the tomato sauce and seasonings to the pot.
- Or add fresh herbs for an Italian-herb marinara sauce.
- Serve it over breaded eggplant for an eggplant parmesan.
This marinara sauce is so easy to make
It's made with 2 main ingredients--tomato sauce and tomato paste. Mix them together in a saucepan with a few seasonings and simmer on low for 30-45 minutes. Transfer to a jar or serving dish and enjoy!
How can I use this marinara sauce?
Use it as a:
Pizza sauce and add some crushed fennel seed. Simmer it down to a thicker sauce. Spread it on your favorite pizza crust, naan bread or use it to make a French bread pizza.
Dipping sauce for pretzel bites, zucchini fries, vegan cheese sticks or pizza pockets.
Pasta sauce and mix in cooked lentils, sautéed mushrooms, and/or onions.
Cooking tips
- To create a thicker marinara for dipping and pizzas, simmer it down longer.
- For a thinner pasta sauce, double the water and simmer to desired consistency.
- The acidity in canned tomatoes varies, adjust the sweetener accordingly.
- Marinara will last sealed in the fridge for 5-7 days.
Can I freeze this marinara sauce?
The answer is YES! It will last sealed in the freezer for up to 6 months. Just defrost and use as needed.
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Recipe
Homemade Marinara Sauce
Ingredients
- 15 ounce can of tomato sauce
- 6 ounce can of tomato paste
- ½ cup of water
- 2 ¼ teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 ¾ teaspoons garlic powder, or 2-3 fresh cloves
- 1-2 teaspoon granulated sugar, see note #1
- 1 ¼ teaspoon dried basil
- ¾ teaspoon Himalayan pink salt
- Black pepper to taste
- optional: crushed fennel seed, great for pizzas
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, mix together all of the ingredients.
- Bring the sauce to a low simmer, then cover. Simmer on low for 15-25 minutes, or to desired thickness, stirring often.
- Taste and adjust any seasonings if necessary.
- Serve: over pasta, as a pizza sauce, or as a dip.
Notes
- The sugar neutralizes the acid in the tomatoes. Adjust as needed.
- Adding crushed fennel seeds turns this recipe into a delicious pizza sauce.
Nutrition
**Nutritional info is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients I used and for convenience and as a courtesy only.**
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