• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Splash of Taste - Vegetarian Recipes
  • Home
  • Food
    • All Recipes
    • Air Fryer Recipe
      • Air Fryer Recipe
      • Cookies
    • Appetizers
    • Easy Casseroles
    • Desserts
      • Desserts
      • Cheesecake
      • Cookies
      • Crumble
      • Pies
    • Dips, dressings, & sauces
    • Main Courses
    • Pasta
    • Pizza
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup
    • Under 30 Mins
    • Vegetarian
    • Vegetarian curries
    • Vegan
  • Drinks
    • Cocktails
    • Gin Cocktails
    • Tequila Cocktails
    • Vodka Cocktails
    • Mocktails
  • Resources
  • About Us
Splash of Taste – Vegetarian Recipes

Splash of Taste - Vegetarian Recipes

Easy veggie recipes

  • Home
  • Food
    • All Recipes
    • Air Fryer Recipe
      • Air Fryer Recipe
      • Cookies
    • Appetizers
    • Easy Casseroles
    • Desserts
      • Desserts
      • Cheesecake
      • Cookies
      • Crumble
      • Pies
    • Dips, dressings, & sauces
    • Main Courses
    • Pasta
    • Pizza
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup
    • Under 30 Mins
    • Vegetarian
    • Vegetarian curries
    • Vegan
  • Drinks
    • Cocktails
    • Gin Cocktails
    • Tequila Cocktails
    • Vodka Cocktails
    • Mocktails
  • Resources
  • About Us
Home / Vegetarian

Marinara sauce recipe

Published September 28, 2021 | Updated November 27, 2022 | By Mandy & Jane

  • Facebook50
Jump to Recipe

Our homemade classic marinara sauce recipe is just so good. It incorporates Italian flavors so well, and a perfect balance of quality tomatoes, and oregano with just a pinch of red pepper flakes will be a real treat to your taste buds. This is a recipe designed to be easy, you can set this off to simmer while you unwind after a day at work.

A bowl of the best marinara sauce with fresh basil, a spoon and green napkin.

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate, if you purchase through those links, I earn a small commission. Thank you!

Why you’ll love this homemade marinara sauce recipe

  • Our tomato sauce has a fresh vibrant Italian flavor that you just can’t get out of a jar with store-bought sauces.
  • It’s SO easy to make marinara sauce, just put the ingredients in the pan and let them simmer until they are done – that’s it!
  • Make it ahead, it’ll keep in the fridge for 4 days in an airtight container.
  • It’s 100% vegetarian and vegan.

Should I use canned or fresh tomatoes?

For this pasta sauce recipe, we’re all about simplicity and making everything easy for you.

That’s why we recommend using canned over fresh tomatoes when you make marinara sauce.

When using canned crushed tomatoes, make sure you buy the best you can afford, quality really does count when the whole focus of the sauce is on the tomatoes.

We’ve used canned plum tomatoes but you can use chopped or crushed tomatoes, using crushed tomatoes will give a slightly smoother consistency.

If you’ve got time, sure you can use fresh tomatoes, they’ll give a freshness to the sauce which will be really tasty.

Ingredients needed salt and pepper, extra virgin olive oil, onions, crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, red pepper flakes and garlic cloves.

Could I use tomato sauce instead of canned tomatoes?

There are many different marinara sauce recipes that do use passata sauce, along with tomato paste.

We prefer either crushed tomatoes or fresh tomatoes above passata and tomato paste, purely because they give a more fresh and vibrant flavor.

However, there’s nothing wrong with using passata sauce and tomato paste, so if you prefer using them, then by all means do so!

We apologise, we know that once you taste this delicious homemade marinara sauce, you’ll never want to buy store-bought again, we’ve ruined you. Sorry about that. Not sorry.

A pan of cooked tomato sauce ready to serve on pasta, with fresh basil leaves.

What do you serve it with?

Our fresh marinara sauce is so flexible and you can use it with so many different foods.

  • With our awesome pasta bake with veggie meatballs.
  • Marinara sauce tastes great when used as a pizza sauce.
  • Try it in a hearty baked pasta dish, pasta al forno is perfect for a marinara sauce.
  • Simple but delicious, spaghetti marinara is a great quick and easy dish, it makes an incredible spaghetti sauce with a little chopped fresh basil and vegetarian grated parmesan cheese on top.
  • It makes a great dipping sauce, you can dip mozzarella sticks, cauliflower buffalo wings, or breadsticks!
A bowl of vegetarian baked pasta, with a fork full of rigatoni pasta, tomatoes and fresh bail.

How do you store this?

It keeps very well.

If you store it in an airtight container and keep it refrigerated, then it’ll keep for up to 4 days.

Store it in a freezer bag and it’ll keep up to 3 months.

This means that it’s a perfect recipe to batch cook, so while you’re at it, why not double batch, or, even better, why not triple batch cook and have a supply tucked away for when it’s needed?

Recipe notes and expert tips

  • Want to add some heat to your sauce?
    If you like a little kick to your homemade marinara sauce, then just add extra red pepper flakes, add a little at a time until you get the heat you prefer.
  • Don’t want to use whole garlic cloves?
    That’s not a problem, just use minced garlic instead.
  • Want an extra flavor in your marinara?
    Stir in a little fresh basil when you finish cooking the marinara sauce, this will give an extra depth of flavor.
  • Storage
    Keep in the fridge for 4 days in an airtight container.

More easy Italian sauces and recipes for you to try

If you love our marinara sauce, then why not give these tasty recipes a try? Arrabbiata sauce, Gigi Hadid pasta, pasta alla Norma, cacio e pepe, or pesto pasta.

Homemade arrabiata sauce in a jar.

Arrabiata sauce recipe

A bowl of Gigi Hadid pasta with a fork and cheese grate by the side.

Gigi Hadid pasta: spicy vodka pasta

pasta à la norma with eggplants.

Pasta alla Norma recipe

A bowl of freshly made cacio e pepe.

Cacio e Pepe Recipe

Close up of a delicious bowl of pesto pasta.

Pesto pasta recipe

How to make marinara sauce with step-by-step instructions

Making our easy marinara recipe is easy if you follow our simple instructions.

A full printable recipe along with the measurements in both US customary and metric is available in the recipe card below.

Tip the canned tomatoes into a medium saucepan.

Process shots homemade marinara sauce, add tomato sauce tomatoes, onion and garlic cloves.

Add the chopped onions, garlic cloves (or minced garlic), dried oregano, pepper flakes, and extra virgin olive oil.

Over medium-high heat, bring the sauce to a simmer, and lower the heat to allow the tomato sauce to gently simmer for around 45 minutes.

Process shots for homemade marinara sauce recipe, add dried oregano, red pepper flakes and cook.

Stir occasionally, then, after 45 minutes, use the back of a wooden spoon to crush the tomatoes into small pieces.

Remove the saucepan from the heat and then, using a fork, smash the garlic cloves against the pan and then stir into the sauce.

If you prefer, you can use a food processor to blend your marinara sauce to the consistency you like, but we like a chunky sauce.

Add salt and pepper to taste, your sauce is now ready to serve with pasta, garnish with a little fresh basil!

Your sauce is now ready – enjoy!

Two bowls of easy spaghetti marinara, ready to eat with fresh tomatoes on a vine.

We hope you enjoy making the best marinara sauce recipe you’ll ever taste!

We’d love to hear how you got on with it, so please do leave a comment or feel free to ask a question.

Marinara sauce in a bowl and a mason jar.
Print Share on Facebook Pin Recipe

Marinara sauce recipe

Learn how to make the best marinara sauce, a perfect tomato pasta sauce. It's so easy to make and tastes SO good. Double or triple batch cook it and freeze so you can have it whenever you need. Great in pasta bakes, as a spaghetti sauce, and in the best lasagnas. Check out the recipe and follow us for more easy vegetarian recipes.
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time45 mins
Servings7 cups
Calories127
Course: Sauce
Cuisine: Italian
Author: Mandy Applegate | Splash of Taste
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

  • 3½ lbs Plum or chopped tomatoes
  • 2 Onions chopped
  • 4 cloves Garlic
  • 4 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tsp Dried oregano
  • ½ tsp Red pepper flakes
  • Salt and pepper to season
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Tip the canned tomatoes into a medium saucepan and add the chopped onions, garlic cloves (or minced garlic), dried oregano, red pepper flakes, and extra virgin olive oil
    3½ lbs Plum or chopped tomatoes
  • Over medium-high heat, bring the sauce to a simmer, andr the heat to allow the tomato sauce to gently simmer for around 45 minutes. Stir occasionally, then, after 45 minutes, use the back of a wooden spoon to crush the tomatoes into small pieces
  • Remove the saucepan from the heat and then, using a fork, smash the garlic cloves against the pan, then stir into the sauce and you have a chunky sauce, If you prefer a smoother sauce, then blitz it in a food processor. Add salt and pepper to taste, your sauce is now ready to serve with pasta, garnish with a little fresh basil. Enjoy your marinara sauce!

Notes

  • Want to add some heat to your sauce?
    If you like a little kick to your homemade marinara sauce, then just add extra red pepper flakes, add a little at a time until you get the heat you prefer
  • Don’t want to use whole garlic cloves?
    That’s not a problem, just use minced garlic instead
  • Want an extra flavor?
    Stir in a little fresh basil when you finish cooking the marinara sauce, this will give an extra depth of flavor

Nutrition

Calories: 127kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Sodium: 329mg | Potassium: 489mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 319IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 90mg | Iron: 3mg

Disclaimer

Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.

Follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram, for more tasty inspiration!

Instragram Icon

Did you make this recipe?

We love hearing how you went with ours recipes! Tag us on Instagram at @splash_of_taste_uk

You may also like…

Sweet potato cubes on a plate with a sauce.

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes

Looking for a snack that’s both healthy and delicious? Look no further than our air fryer sweet potato cubes! Say goodbye to boring, bland snacks…

Delicious air fryer vegan ham ready to eat.

Air Fryer Vegan Ham

Who says vegans can’t enjoy holiday ham? Our air fryer vegan ham recipe will have you feeling festive and satisfied in no time. If you’re…

  • Facebook50
mandy and jane

About Mandy

A vegetarian for over 35 years, Mandy has taught herself to be creative in the kitchen. Traveling extensively, Mandy loves learning and adapting vegetarian recipes from across the world. Read more...

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. lynn polito says

    September 28, 2021 at 10:21 am

    5 stars
    Oh I love this recipe! Nothing better than homemade tomato sauce!

    Reply
    • Mandy from Splash of Taste says

      September 28, 2021 at 10:26 am

      Thank you and it’s so versatile, isn’t it!

  2. Donna says

    September 28, 2021 at 10:32 am

    5 stars
    You are so right, once you try this delicious marinara there is no going back! So much flavour!

    Reply
    • Mandy from Splash of Taste says

      September 28, 2021 at 11:34 am

      5 stars
      Thank you! We’re so pleased that you enjoy making our marinara sauce!

  3. Jennifer says

    September 28, 2021 at 12:21 pm

    5 stars
    What a terrific recipe – and I love all the step by step help, too!

    Reply
  4. Robin Donovan says

    September 28, 2021 at 1:56 pm

    5 stars
    Looks great! I’ll try this recipe!

    Reply
    • Mandy from Splash of Taste says

      September 28, 2021 at 2:51 pm

      Hope you enjoy it!

  5. Cindy says

    September 28, 2021 at 6:08 pm

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious! Definitely will make this again!

    Reply
  6. laura says

    September 28, 2021 at 7:12 pm

    5 stars
    Always looking for THAT one AMAZING recipe for a good sauce and this is it!

    Reply
    • Mandy from Splash of Taste says

      September 28, 2021 at 7:22 pm

      Thank you!

  7. Aimee B. says

    September 28, 2021 at 7:16 pm

    5 stars
    Such a delicious marinara!

    Reply
    • Mandy from Splash of Taste says

      September 28, 2021 at 7:22 pm

      Thank you, we love it!

  8. Sherry says

    September 28, 2021 at 11:33 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe is delicious!! Who would have guessed that you can make a great marinara sauce in under an hour.

    Reply
    • Mandy from Splash of Taste says

      September 29, 2021 at 5:42 am

      We’re glad you like it! Once you realise making marinara sauce is so easy, you really will never buy another jar again!

  9. Kim says

    September 28, 2021 at 11:50 pm

    5 stars
    I have always wanted to make marinara from scratch and this recipe was perfect. I now have my go-to recipe!

    Reply
    • Mandy from Splash of Taste says

      September 29, 2021 at 5:40 am

      We’re very pleased to hear that you love this! There’s nothing more satisfying than eating marinara sauce that you’ve made from scratch – enjoy!

  10. Sachiko says

    October 10, 2021 at 9:05 pm

    5 stars
    I love how easy it is to make this sauce, it goes great on everything.

    Reply
  11. Jean switzer says

    November 10, 2021 at 4:52 pm

    Your recipes sound good. I don’t like Oregano and Curry.
    Can you tell me what I can substitute them with.
    Do you have a cookbook I can buy?

    Reply
    • Mandy from Splash of Taste says

      November 12, 2021 at 6:52 am

      We’re so pleased you like our recipes! Generally speaking, basil is a good substitute for oregano. For the curry, what recipe are you looking at? We don’t have a cookbook at the moment but are working on one for next year 🙂

Primary Sidebar

We’re Mandy and Jane!

We love sharing our vegetarian food and drink recipes with you. If you’re cutting down on meat, going vegetarian or vegan, there’s something delicious to eat and drink for you here
Read More…

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Footer

Splash of Taste

Connect with us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

SEARCH THIS SITE

Categories

  • Air Fryer Recipe
  • Appetizers
  • Baking
  • Bread
  • Breakfast
  • Cakes
  • Cheesecake
  • Christmas
  • Cocktails
  • Cookies
  • Cookies
  • Crumble
  • Desserts
  • Dips
  • Dips, dressings, & sauces
  • Dressing
  • Drinks
  • Easy Casseroles
  • Featured Recipes
  • Food
  • Gin Cocktails
  • Gluten Free
  • Holiday Recipes
  • Ingredient substitutions
  • Lunch
  • Main Courses
  • Mocktails
  • Mousse
  • MSN
  • MSN Article
  • MSN Slideshow
  • Nibbles
  • Outdoor cooking
  • Pasta
  • Pies
  • Pizza
  • Quick Recipes
  • Recipe collections
  • Resources
  • Sauce
  • Seasoning
  • Side Dishes
  • Soup
  • Tequila Cocktails
  • Thanksgiving
  • Thanksgiving Desserts
  • Thanksgiving main courses
  • Thanksgiving Side Dishes
  • Uncategorized
  • Under 30 Minutes
  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian
  • Vegetarian curries
  • Vodka Cocktails
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • Food
  • Drinks
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Story Archives

Copyright © 2023 · Splash of Taste · Privacy Policy