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    You are here: Crunchy Creamy Sweet / Dinner / Simple Marinara Sauce Recipe

    Simple Marinara Sauce Recipe

    Published: Aug 22, 2020 · Modified: Sep 1, 2021 by Anna 7 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    This simple Marinara Sauce is made from scratch with five ingredients and ready to use in minutes! Rich in flavors and delicious, this sauce can be served with pasta or as a dipping sauce for appetizers.

    Use this sauce to make my Instant Pot Spaghetti or serve with Baked Eggplant or Fried Ravioli for a delicious snack.

    Marinara sauce in a pot.

    If pasta is in your weekly menu, then I have the perfect homemade sauce recipe for you! This very simple Marinara Sauce is a must-try. Made with crushed tomatoes, onion, garlic and seasoning, this sauce is healthier and so much better than any store-bought kind. My goal is to make simple recipes, anyone can follow. This sauce calls for just one kind of tomatoes and a seasoning blend with ingredients that you can find even in a basic pantry. You will love it!

    Ingredients:

    • crushed tomatoes (28oz can)
    • onion
    • garlic
    • olive oil
    • seasoning: dried oregano, paprika, Italian seasoning, sugar, salt and pepper, fresh basil
    Ingredients for the sauce on a white board.

    How to make Marinara Sauce?

    • Start by heating up oil in a deep pot.
    • Add garlic and onion and saute over medium-low heat just until golden.
    • Add dried herbs and paprika. Saute, stirring often, for 1 minute.
    Sauteed onion, garlic and seasoning in a pot.
    • Add crushed tomatoes and stir in.
    • Simmer sauce for 4 to 5 minutes.
    • Add salt, pepper and sugar to taste.
    Crushed tomatoes in the pot.

    Cooking tips:

    • aromatics: saute onion and garlic in oil, on medium-low heat just until golden. You do not want to caramelize them.
    • tomatoes: I used crushed tomatoes instead of whole because I prefer the texture. If you use whole canned tomatoes, you will have to crush them anyway.
    • seasoning: I highly recommend adding the dry herbs and paprika to sauteed onion and garlic. It will activate the herbs and make the sauce very flavorful. Add salt, pepper and sugar at the end to taste.

    How to use it?

    Not only this sauce is absolutely perfect with any pasta dish, but you can also use it on pizza, in casseroles (like Eggplant Parmesan) or as a dipping sauce with pizza rolls, fritters, etc.

    Storing:

    Once done, cool the sauce completely and store in a jar with lid in the fridge. It keeps well for up to 2 weeks.

    Tomato sauce in a green pot on a board.

    More homemade sauce recipes:

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    If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out and leave a comment!

    Marinara sauce in a pot.

    Simple Marinara Sauce

    Author: Anna
    This simple Marinara Sauce is made with five ingredients and ready to use in minutes! Rich in flavors and delicious, this sauce can be served with pasta or as a dipping sauce for appetizers.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 5 servings
    Calories 94 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 medium onion chopped
    • 5 garlic cloves minced
    • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
    • ½ teaspoon paprika
    • ¼ teaspoon crushed pepper flakes
    • 28 ounce crushed tomatoes
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar optional
    • fresh basil

    Instructions
     

    • Heat up oil in a deep pot, over medium-low heat. I used a Dutch oven but any saucepan works.
    • Add garlic and onion and saute over medium-low heat just until golden. Stir often.
    • Add dried herbs, pepper flakes and paprika. Saute, stirring often, for 1 minute.
    • Add crushed tomatoes and stir in.
    • Simmer sauce for 4 to 5 minutes.
    • Add salt, pepper and sugar to taste.
    • Stir in fresh chopped basil.

    Notes

    • Once done, cool the sauce completely and store it in a jar with a lid, in the fridge. It keeps well for up to 2 weeks.
    • Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use calorie counter you are familiar with.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 94kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 444mg | Potassium: 509mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 440IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 74mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment with rating below!

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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jess says

      April 06, 2021 at 6:54 pm

      About how many cups of sauce does this recipe make?

      Reply
    2. Jessica Burgess says

      August 23, 2020 at 11:43 pm

      5 stars
      My kiddo is obsessed with spaghetti and I've been looking for a sauce that was easy and one that I would like to make over and over... this is it! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Anna says

        August 31, 2020 at 10:00 pm

        I am so glad! Thank you, Jessica!

        Reply
    3. Eden says

      August 23, 2020 at 3:38 pm

      5 stars
      This was so good!! We used it with our meatballs! It was perfect 🙂

      Reply
      • Anna says

        August 31, 2020 at 10:00 pm

        Fantastic!

        Reply
    4. Katie says

      August 23, 2020 at 1:37 pm

      This looks like something I've got to try! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Anna says

        August 31, 2020 at 10:01 pm

        You are very welcome, Katie!

        Reply

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    Crunchy Creamy Sweet Anna

    Hi, I'm Anna! Thank you for stopping by! Here you will find easy and delicious recipes for busy people. My recipes are made with everyday ingredients and all of them are family approved!

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