Super Simple Marinara Sauce
This marinara sauce recipe is the best! It's so easy to make with just 5 basic ingredients and 45 minutes on the stove. No chopping required! This healthy homemade marinara will become your family's favorite.
Updated by Kathryne Taylor on September 5, 2024
Meet the marinara sauce recipe of my dreams! Iโve always been intimidated by marinara, maybe because I love it so much that I was afraid of messing it up. I finally faced my fears and tried making marinara every which way. This version is my favorite, no contest.
This homemade marinara sauce offers rich and lively tomato flavor. Youโll need only five basic pantry ingredients to make this delicious marinara sauce: good canned tomatoes, onion, garlic, dried oregano and olive oil. Thatโs it!
This marinara is exceptionally easy to make, too, so itโs perfect for busy weeknights. You donโt even have to chop the onion and garlic. Yep, thatโs rightโjust crank open a can of tomatoes, halve an onion and peel some garlic. Youโre ready to go!
This sauce offers lovely, authentic Italian flavor after a 45-minute simmer. I tried to take shortcuts to make it even faster, but no amount of tomato paste, spices, salt or sugar will make up for lost time.
Bottom line: Itโs impossible to achieve enchanting, long-simmered marinara flavor in under 45 minutes. So throw those ingredients in a pot, pour yourself a glass of wine and boil water for pasta. Dinner is almost ready.
After trying many variations on marinara sauce, I adapted this recipe from Debโs tomato sauce with onion and butter, which was originally sourced from Marcella Hazanโs 1992 cookbook, Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking.
I love that tomato sauce, but it doesnโt pass for marinara since itโs missing herbs, garlic and olive oil. So, I added dried oregano and two whole cloves of garlic (which youโll smash against the side of the pan at the end).
I traded a reasonable amount of olive oil for the butter (you really donโt need to use a ton of olive oil here for rich flavor). I also added a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little kick, but those are optional.
Why is this the best marinara sauce?
Six reasons to love this recipe:
- This marinara sauce recipe requires 5 basic ingredients and yields rich, authentic marinara flavor.
- Itโs super easy to makeโno chopping required.
- Unlike most store-bought sauces, this marinara is free of added sugar.
- You can load up your pasta with as much of this wholesome sauce as youโd like. Tomatoes are good for you!
- The recipe yields two cups of sauce and freezes well, so you might as well double the recipe. Just cook it in a bigger pot.
- This marinara also makes an incredible pizza sauce. I made pizza with it and my friend remarked that it tastes like real-deal Italian pizza.
Please let me know in the comments how you like this sauce! Itโs a new staple in my kitchen, and I hope it becomes a go-to recipe for you as well.
Craving more classic Italian recipes? Donโt miss these:
- Basil Pesto
- Vegetable Lasagna
- Hearty Spaghetti with Lentils & Marinara Sauce
- Baked Ziti with Roasted Vegetables
- Classic Minestrone Soup
- Italian Chopped Salad
Watch How to Make Marinara Sauce
Super Simple Marinara Sauce
This marinara sauce recipe is the best! Youโll only need 5 basic ingredients, and itโs so easy to make. No chopping required! Recipe yields 2 cups sauce (enough for 8 to 16 ounces pasta, depending on how saucy you like it); double if desired.
Ingredients
- 1 large can (28 ounces) whole peeled tomatoes*
- 1 medium yellow onion, peeled and halved
- 2 large cloves garlic, peeled but left whole
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional, omit if sensitive to spice)
- Salt, to taste (if necessary)
- Optional, for serving: Cooked pasta, grated Parmesan cheese or vegan Parmesan, chopped fresh basil, additional olive oil
Instructions
- In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the tomatoes (with their juices), halved onion, garlic cloves, olive oil, oregano and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium-high heat, then lower the heat to keep the sauce at a slow, steady simmer for about 45 minutes, or until droplets of oil float free of the tomatoes. Stir occasionally, and use a sturdy wooden spoon to crush the tomatoes against the side of the pot after the sauce has cooked for about 15 minutes.
- Remove the pot from the heat and discard the onion. Smash the garlic cloves against the side of the pot with a fork, then stir the smashed garlic into the sauce. Do the same with any tiny onion pieces you might find. Use the wooden spoon to crush the tomatoes to your liking (you can blend this sauce smooth with an immersion blender or stand blender, if desired).
- Add salt, to taste (the tomatoes are already pretty salty, so you might just need a pinch). Serve warm.ย This sauce keeps well, covered and refrigerated, for up to 4 days. Freeze it for up to 6 months.
Notes
*Tomato note:ย Using high quality tomatoes is key here. I recommend Muir Glen tomatoes. Theyโre organic and the cans are BPA-free.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionistโs advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.
Do you cover while simmering?
This one is uncovered!
Loved the recipe. My 1st time even trying marinara ssuce. Didnโt know it was so easy. I only had 2-14.5 oz cans of stewed tomatoes and a red onion. I emulsified the onions in a mini chopper and put half back in the sauce It worked and came out very delicious. Looking at the comments I will definitely try some of the suggestions. Ate the sauce over spaghetti squash.
Thanks,
Dell Webb
Thanks for sharing, Dell!
I donโt usually read a recipe with a long intro but I was intrigued. I made this exactly as written except I added a small amt of sugar to offset the acidy tomatoes. It was great over spaghetti!
Thanks so much, Jeff!
As an Italian woman married to an Italian man I am embarrassed to see I have never been able to make a good sauceโฆuntil now! I followed this recipe exactly and it is so delicious! I did not put it in a blender afterwards and it was just perfect. Served it over Dececco linguine and it was so great! Highly recommend!
This is wonderful to hear, Crystal! Thanks for sharing and recommending this recipe.
I made this marinara sauce today.
I purchased the tomatoes that you recommended.
The only problem was that I purchased diced tomatoes.
This was โby farโ the BEST sauce I have ever made.
I used it to make pizza. It tasted just like Dominoโs Pizza.
Thank You SO MUCH !!
Youโre welcome! Iโm happy it still turned out well for you.
This Maranara sauce was fantastic. My kids and I all loved it.
Thank you so much for sharing this simple but tasty sauce!
Thank for your recipes , I love them !!!! Our church is currently doing the Daniel fast and your website has come to my rescue , not only has the food been delicious , but we are full and satisfied , and we have more energy than usual !we especially loved the sweet potato burrito bowls , we were so full afterwards , I felt guilty haha . I enjoy your little blogs too, and cookie is adorable , We have a yorkie that We love like you love cookie โค๏ธ
Wonderful to hear you are loving the recipes, Ami! Thanks for sharing.
I made this recipe and it came out perfectly! This is now my go to marinara recipe. As an Italian New Yorker that grew up on pasta I am so finicky about tomatoe sauce but this taste authentic and perfect. Thank you for sharing!!
Youโre welcome, Amber!
Super. Simple.
The onion halves joined my other vegetable scraps (carrot and parsnip peels, onion outlayers, dark green parts of leeks, parsley stems,โฆ previously rinsed) in my freezer: when the bag is full, I use it to make some vegetable broth (just adding some garlic and thyme). Why waste?
Sounds like a great idea, Nathalie!
This is the best recipe of all time and Iโm never making marinara any other way ever again. THANK YOU!
Itโs so good! Iโm happy you agree, Lindsy.
It was easy but the flavor was ok. It could be I used fresh oregano sprigs instead of dried ones. Addind a little bit of butter with salt to taste enhance the taste. I will add more fresh herb next time. Refused to purรฉe the sauce for the chunky tomatoes.
Served with homemade beef fennel seed meat ball. It turned out to be a nice home cook meal.
Anyway, it is far better than any store bought jar with fun of making it.
Iโm sorry you werenโt in love with the flavor! Fresh vs dried can really impact it. Thanks for sharing, Jodi.
LOVE, LOVE this recipe. It was so simple was uncertain cd be good. Made it first just yo test now Making it again it is a keeper! Thank u!
This is such a simple and flavorful marinara sauce. My house smells so good when itโs cooking! Another one of your delicious recipes. Please keep them coming!
Made this with canned tomatoesโฆsimmered as per directions. I poured entire pot into my Vitamix and blended for about 15 seconds. The sauce came out creamy and a pale orange in color, resembling a vodka sauce. It only made enough for 3 servings as it was quite thick. It definitely needed salt and more red pepper to give it flavor. My husband questioned what I was serving him, as it definitely did not look like my usual pasta with marinara. He ate it and said it was good, but not sure if I would make again.
Hi! Did you blend the onion as well?
I didโฆI blended all of the softened onion pieces after simmering for at least 45 minutes.
Native NYer with not a drop of Italian heritage, but raised around Italian food all my life. I couldnโt believe this recipe when I first saw it and thought that the results would have to be subpar. But as soon as it got cooking I realized that everything was going to be okay because it had that amazing aroma. I followed this recipe to a tee with one exception. An Italian grandmother once imparted to me the absolute importance of SUGAR to bring out the flavor of the tomatoes. It goes against my grain to add sugar normally, but I really think it is the right thing to do: just 1/3 tsp. I buy Redpack whole, peeled tomatoes which now also are BPA-free, if not organic. Great recipe idea. Thanks.
Iโm glad it worked for you and passed your test, Tom! Thanks so much.
Hi Kate I love the sound of your recipes I havenโt done any as thereโs lots of onion and garlic which I cannot have could you please tell me what I could replace it with, thank you xx
Hi Hazel! Iโm sorry you canโt have those. Iโm not sure on a replacement based on your dietary needs. You can leave out as desired or use a good substitute in the same family. Leeks can be good onion substitutes sometimes. It depends on the recipe.
YEAH!!! This is really good!! I added mushrooms and blended them right into the sauce. I wish I made more! It all went! Saving this for later for sure!
Thanks for letting me know you loved it, Michelle!
really nice sauce, i added a bit of paprika to make it more smoky and it came out great.
Iโm happy you enjoyed it, Ben! Thanks so much for your review.
I put olive oil to cover bottom of pot, throw in a bunch of sliced garlic and and saute till lightly brown then put in a can or 2 of tomato sauce and some chopped Basil..mix well and simmer for one hr..thatโs it!!
Thanks for sharing, Pattie!
Iโve made it 3 times. The second time, I left the cover off and it turned out too thick. The third time it was bitter but pretty sure it was because I used a different brand of tomatoes. Overall, I love it!
Tomatoes can vary! If itโs a little more bitter, try increasing your salt or a touch more olive oil to help balance it. Thanks for your review, Linda!
Do you use both halves of the onion in the sauce or just one? Thanks!
You use both. :) See the process image for reference in the post.
Just made this, and pretty much enjoyed it. One question, what should I have added to remove or prevent a slightly bitter taste? Thanks Iโll be making it again
You could add a little salt to taste to help balance it.
Thanks for the great and simple recipe! I just made it. I lived abroad with an Italian friend and she taught me how to make a fantastic marinara sauce. It was basically very similar to this recipe, except the secret was to add a few Tbsp of butter at the very end of cooking time. You donโt need to choose between butter and olive oil, use both! I now add Earth balance vegan butter to every marinara sauce and it makes it absolutely delectable!
Thanks for sharing that you liked it, Rebecca!
Hi Kate,
I just finished making this sauceโฆ it looks and tastes amazing. I couldnโt believe how easy was to bring it together. Never thought of throwing all ingredients and leave them in the stoveโฆ.well โฆ I checked it every 15 min or so : ). As other readers, I did keep the onions and blended them. My kids prefer a less chunky sauce. I also added some fresh basil. It turned out great.
Thanks for sharing !
Thank you for sharing, Abigail!
Better than store-bought sauce. I live in the woods and ran out of spaghetti sauce and marinaraโฆ Not driving to town today!
Iโm so glad you liked it and had everything on hand, Sharon! Thanks so much for your review.
This sooo delivered! Flavors is great and so satisfying. First time Iโve ever been inspired to make a marinara and the flavors were perfect! I will be making this againโฆand againโฆ
Thank you!
I love to hear that, Meg! Thanks for your review.
I made this sauce tonight to use in making lasagna. I love this sauce! I did put a small amount of red pepper flakes in it after tasting it.
Delicious!
I love it! Thank you for sharing and for your review, Nancy.
Just made your marinara sauce recipe. Really,really good and so simple. I have tried for years to perfect it and thanks to you โ Eureka!
Eureka! I agree. :) Thanks for your review, Glynn.
I am blown away by how delicious this simple recipe is. I like to crush the tomatoes by hand when I am adding them. Next time I definitely doubling or tripling this so I can freeze the leftovers!
Iโm so happy to hear that, Jackie! Thanks for trying it and letting me know you loved it.
In you recipes you list the vitamins, the last one is always the โKโ vitamin. What would I have to leave out of any of your recipes so there would be no Vitamins. I ask this question because I take a blood thinner and the โKโ vitamin works the opposite of the blood thinner.
Hi James, this really just depends on the recipe and the ingredients list. Sorry I canโt be of more help! This is a vitamin in a lot of greens and vegetables.
Iโve been looking for a good sauce recipe for a while so iโm happy I found this one. I found it a bit salty even without adding salt but I think itโs the tomatoes I used.
Try to use no salt added tomatoes next time, or reduce the salt used. Thanks for sharing, Vanessa!
I was looking for a nice, simple but tasty tomato sauce for my lasagne and this seemed to hit the mark. I was amazed just how it all broke down within the 45 mins to develop into a lovely rich flavoursome sauce โ thank you Kate! I love your website, by the way โฆโฆ thanks for sharing your recipes.
Youโre welcome, Janet! Thanks for your review.
I LOVE this recipe! I like infusing the sauce as opposed to chunks of onion โ no matter how finely dice โ to each their own. One question of clarification: Double everything? Aromatics, seasoning and all? IN other words, double the tomatoes and need to double all the restโฆThanks!
Yes, if you want to double the recipe, then double all your other ingredients. Make sure to have a large enough pot! :)
Thank you. Such a great recipe
Iโm an experienced cook and this is a lovely marinara sauce. Absolutely delicious and shockingly easy. As with any marinara sauce, using good quality tomatoes (like Muir Glen) is key. Will be my go-to marinara sauce from now on.
Wonderful, CL!
How many tomatoes are in a 28 oz can? I have my own fresh tomatoes to use.
thanks
Hi Misty! Iโm not sure as it goes by weight. Sorry to not be more help. I would try weight over number.
I loved this recipe! I used it in a great vegan lasagna!
I used a 28 oz can and a 14 oz can of whole tomatoes. I used a whole onion in the sauce. When I blended it I removed 1 of the onion halves and kept one in the blender. It was great! I did not add any salt or pepper to the marinara either, and I let it simmer for at least an hour.
Thanks for sharing, Paris! Iโm glad you loved it.
For very, very little effort, the payoff was to the moon! My kids were going in for thirds :) It was a little easier for me to cut the onions first, and then mash the garlic later. I also add more oregano to my taste and basil.
Kate, was this recipe on your app? I have your app, but couldnโt find it, but it also could be user error (ahem, me).
Thanks!
Iโm glad you like it! The app only has the top 100 recipes from the blog currently. But thanks for the feedback!
So delicious and simple! My picky kids even loved it. I blended it so there were no chunks per kids preference. I will absolutely use this as my marinara from now on.
Thank you for your review, Emily!
Omg I am in love with this sauce. My 3 year old who always ask for pasta with no sauce saw that we all enjoyed it that she decided to try. She loved it. I finally found THE best sauce. I have to double the recipe because my husband and 2 toddlers kept asking for more.
I love that your kiddo loves it too! Thanks for sharing, Karin.
Hello!
I have been happily making this recipe for the last few months โ love the recipe and love making it, so easy and pure. My own tweaks have been to add some chilis (small amount) and cinnamon (for that counter sweetness). For now, I am wanting to avoid/lessen my overall oil intake and wonder if you think I can do this recipe justice (health and taste wise) WITHOUT the oil?
Thanks again! Amanda
I like that you have been making your own variation! The oil really helps to add to the richness. It took me a long time to get this one right, and this the oil really helps make it.
Easy sauce to make โ great base to eat alone or have add-ins โ better than jarred sauce and so simple
Really quick and easy to make. I made breaded chicken (Tapioca and Almond flower) and dipped it into the sauce. Taste so fresh! Yumโฆ
Iโm glad you loved it, Sher!
Delicious! Threw in a couple of bay leaves. Going to use in eggplant parm:)
I love it! Thanks fo sharing, Carrie.
Made this last weekend and it was oh sooo simple given how much flavour it packs in. My family likes things spicy so I did more than a pinch of the red pepper flakes. This recipe is going into the sauce rotation forever!
Thatโs great, David! Thanks for your review.
Delish! Hubby loved it and he loves his meat! I could do meatless 3 or 4 times a week
Great, Jayne!
AMAZING!!!! โฆ. THANKS SO MUCH, I REALLY FEEL LIKE A CHEF WHEN I MAKE THIS SAUCE. SIMPLE, QUICK AND DELISH!!!
Thanks for your review!
I just made this recipe โ I added some fresh basil and a little tomato paste โ and it is delicious! I will make it again, thanks!
Youโre welcome, Laura!
Ah making this right now. I seriously love all your recipes. My family raves when i cook your recipes. I only have diced tomatoes so used that and will blend after.
Thank you, Kayla!
Hey! What site did you make this blog on?
By the way, I am going to make this today!
Hi Kate! I use Word Press. I hope you enjoy it!
Excellent recipe! I made it with scampi. Accompanied with a slice of baguette and a glass of white wineโฆ that is all we need on a sunny summer day.
Thank you, Jan!