Homemade Marinara Sauce Recipe

Name: Homemade Marinara Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 TBSP olive oil; 1/4 cup minced onion; 3 garlic cloves, grated or minced; 28 oz crushed tomatoes; 1/2 tsp sea salt, more to taste; 3 TBSP chopped fresh oregano; 2 TBSP chopped fresh basil; 1 bay leaf; 1 tsp chili flakes—or more, to increase heat to your preference

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by Killing Thyme // September 6, 2019 (updated January 13, 2023)

Calling for just eight ingredients and 20 minutes of simmer time, this homemade marinara sauce recipe is perfect for impromptu weeknight pasta.

This Marinara Sauce Is Simplicity at Its Finest.

Eight unfussy ingredients and 30 minutes, including prep and simmer time. When I say this sauce is easy, I mean it.

I always thought that the best red sauces had to simmer all afternoon, but this marinara proves otherwise. It’s the perfect impromptu quick fix for weeknight pasta!

One of the things I love most about a simple marinara is the flexibility.

I made this particular batch to use as a dipper for zucchini fritters. The next day, we used some of it in the most uncomplicated yet satisfying pasta.

It was then I knew that I had to share this good stuff with you.

But First, What Is Marinara Sauce?

Like any good tomato sauce, this one kicks things off with onions and garlic.

Crushed tomatoes are then stirred into the pot along with fresh chopped oregano, basil, a bay leaf, salt, and a generous sprinkle of chili flakes.

You can add more or less of the chili flakes depending on your preference for heat. But that’s all there is to it! Let it simmer for 20 minutes and enjoy.

Your Grocery List:

Olive oil
Onion
Garlic
Crushed tomatoes
Sea salt
Fresh oregano and basil
Bay leaf
Chili flakes

How to Make Marinara Sauce:

Get the olive oil heated up in a medium-sized saucepan.
Add the onions to the pan and sauté them for a minute. Stir in the garlic and sauté for another few minutes, or until the onions are translucent and everything is aromatic.
Pop the crushed tomatoes into the pan and bring the heat up to medium-high; let it simmer.
Sprinkle in some salt and stir in the oregano, basil, bay leaf, and chili flakes.
Let the sauce simmer. partially covered, for about 15-20 minutes.

And that’s it!

Useful Tools for This Recipe:

Recipe Tips + Tricks.

If your sauce tastes too acidic and you want a smoother flavor, sprinkle 1/4 tsp of baking soda into the sauce and stir. Stir it up; you’ll notice the sauce start to fizz. This is the baking soda doing it’s job, making the sauce alkaline! Give it a taste after about 10 minutes. Repeat if necessary.
For extra flavor and richness, pop a parmesan rind into the sauce as it simmers. I like to keep parmesan rinds in my freezer for this purpose.

How Long Does Marinara Sauce Last in the Fridge?

It’s no secret that homemade goods don’t last as long as processed foods, even once opened. To be safe, keep the marinara sauce in your fridge for up to three days, no longer than four.

If you’ve made too much, transfer any leftover marinara to a freezer-friendly container, seal it, and store it in the freezer for up to three months.

Have You Made This Recipe?

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Recipes That Can Use Homemade Marinara Sauce:

Sauce pot of marinara garnished with fresh herbs and pepper flakes.

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