Making homemade marinara sauce is easier than you think. Canned crushed tomatoes combined with sautéed onions, garlic, and fresh Italian herbs, gently simmered on the stove. Perfect over pasta or as the base for your favorite baked Italian dishes.
Of all the pasta sauces, marinara is my favorite. You might be surprised how simple it is to make at home. I once imagined it required hours of prep and constant stirring, but the reality is much kinder — a quick sauté, a few fresh herbs, and an hour of gentle simmering.
For years I relied on store-bought jars, until health concerns pushed me to pay closer attention to ingredients. My oldest daughter began having allergic reactions after meals, often several hours later. It started with red-sauce pasta and certain pizzas — her favorite foods — and escalated to severe reactions that required ER visits.
After multiple tests that showed no clear cause, a new doctor helped us piece together the pattern. The most likely culprit turned out to be canola oil when it’s cooked. That discovery changed how I cook. Many prepared sauces and other foods contain canola oil, so I started making more items from scratch, including this marinara.
Making your own sauce removes hidden ingredients and gives you control over flavor and quality. Fresh ingredients make a marked difference — the aroma while it simmers is heavenly.
^Pin it so you can find it!^
Yes, it takes a bit more effort than opening a jar, but the fresh taste and the peace of mind are worth it.
Ingredients in Homemade Marinara Sauce:
- Canned crushed tomatoes
- Olive oil
- Onion, garlic
- Fresh basil, fresh Italian parsley
- Oregano, red pepper flakes
- Salt & pepper
The recipe calls for a handful of fresh basil — roughly 18–20 leaves torn by hand for best flavor.
I simmered this sauce covered for one hour; the result was rich, bright, and fragrant.
We added homemade Italian meatballs and served the sauce over spaghetti for a comforting family meal.
There are countless ways to use this marinara.
It makes an amazing dip for toasted ravioli, arancini (fried risotto balls), or baked zucchini chips.
Spoon it over an Italian-style burger or use it on hearty sandwiches for extra flavor.
Homemade marinara also shines baked into cheesy dishes like skillet lasagna, baked spaghetti and meatballs, chicken parmesan, or stuffed shells.
If you love Italian food, try more Italian recipes and variations to find your favorite ways to use this sauce.
Simple, fresh ingredients are all you need for this homemade marinara sauce. Let’s get to the recipe!
LIKE THIS RECIPE?
Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and
leave a comment below the recipe!
Print Recipe
Homemade Marinara Sauce
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Olive oil
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup onion diced
- Salt & Pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 2 – 28 ounce cans crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes more or less depending on how spicy you want it to be
- 1 Tablespoon fresh Italian parsley chopped
- handful of fresh basil leaves about 18-20 leaves torn
Instructions
-
In a medium-sized pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
-
Add the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onion becomes translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the red pepper flakes, oregano, and a pinch of salt and freshly cracked pepper.
-
Add the crushed tomatoes, then stir in the torn basil leaves and chopped Italian parsley.
-
Cover and simmer on low for one hour, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to meld the flavors.
-
Serve over pasta, use on meatball subs, or incorporate into your favorite baked Italian dishes.
Nutrition