Homemade Marinara Sauce

This homemade marinara sauce is a blend of tomatoes, basil, garlic, olive oil and herbs, all simmered together to make a fresh and flavorful sauce. A quick and easy way to make your own pasta sauce that tastes way better than the store bought version!

My family loves Italian food and we eat it at least once a week! Some of our favorite dishes include baked chicken parmesan, pasta puttanesca, and any dish that contains this from-scratch marinara sauce.

I use marinara sauce in so many different recipes, and while there’s nothing wrong with jarred sauce, homemade marinara is the way to go. This recipe delivers so much flavor, has a short ingredient list and minimal prep time.

How do you make homemade marinara sauce?

Start by cooking olive oil, onions and garlic in a pan. Add canned tomatoes, dried herbs, fresh basil and seasonings. Let the mixture simmer over low heat until the sauce has thickened. Remove the basil sprigs from the sauce and discard. Use immediately or store in the refrigerator for later use.

How do you make sauce from fresh tomatoes?

I recommend using canned tomatoes as they tend to have a more consistent flavor than fresh tomatoes. I find that fresh tomatoes can be mealy in texture and are sometimes underripe. If you want to use fresh tomatoes you can. Simply peel the tomatoes by cutting an X in the bottom of each one, then place the tomatoes in boiling water for 30 seconds. Transfer the tomatoes to a bowl of ice water and let them sit for 5 minutes. The skins shoud easily peel off. After the tomatoes are peeled, coarsely chop them, then proceed with the recipe.

Tips for the perfect sauce

• Since this is such a simple recipe, the quality of the ingredients really count. Look for a high quality extra virgin olive oil and use Italian canned tomatoes. I really prefer to use San Marzano tomatoes as they have the best flavor and texture. Keep an eye out for tomatoes with a “D.O.P” on the label, which guarantees that the tomatoes are authentically San Marzano.
• This sauce stays fresh in the refrigerator for 4 days and can be frozen for up to 2 months. I often make a double batch so that I have extra to put in the freezer! Thaw frozen sauce in the fridge overnight, then reheat on the stove until it’s warmed through.
• If you prefer a smooth sauce, you can use an immersion blender to puree the mixture after it’s cooked.
• You can chop the tomatoes or crush them with your hands, just be sure to save all the juice in the can for the recipe!
• This recipe makes a chunkier sauce. If you prefer a smooth sauce, simply puree some or all of the cooked sauce before you serve it.

Homemade marinara sauce flavor variations

This sauce is a basic recipe with a classic flavor profile that can be used in a variety of dishes. That being said, it’s fine to add other ingredients to customize the sauce to your tastes.

• Protein: Feel free to add some meat for a heartier sauce. You can use 1 pound of ground beef, ground turkey or Italian sausage, just be sure to cook and crumble the meat before it goes into the sauce. You can also add some cooked pancetta for a little richness and extra savory flavor.
• Herbs: While this recipe calls for fresh basil, other herbs are great in this sauce including parsley, oregano and thyme.
• Veggies: Add extra color and texture with sauteed veggies including spinach, carrots, zucchini and mushrooms.
• Flavorings: Amp up your sauce with a little red wine, freshly grated parmesan cheese, a spoonful of pesto or some sliced olives.

There are endless possibilities when it comes to this sauce. Use it in pasta, casseroles, over chicken or as a dipping sauce. However you serve it, homemade marinara sauce always gets rave reviews!

Ways to use marinara sauce

• Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
• Eggplant Lasagna
• Classic Stuffed Shells
• Spinach Lasagna
• Pasta al Forno

Homemade Marinara Sauce Video