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Home / Vegetarian / Easy spaghetti marinara recipe

Easy spaghetti marinara recipe

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Bursting full of tomato flavor, spaghetti with delicious marinara sauce is a wonderfully easy and tasty weeknight meal. It doesn’t matter what time of the year it is, sometimes you just need something easy to eat, spaghetti marinara is our ‘go-to’ easy meal, and we usually end up having a second helping!

Homemade spaghetti marinara with diced tomatoes, black pepper and fresh basil.epper, epper

Why you’ll love this recipe

  • You can batch make the sauce, store it in the fridge or freeze it, so you have it whenever you need it.
  • You can make it with basic pantry ingredients.
  • Kids absolutely love this great marinara sauce spaghetti dish!
  • It’s 100% vegetarian and vegan.
Ingredients to make spaghetti marinara, spaghetti, marinara sauce and fresh basil.

We love the simplicity and flexibility that spaghetti marinara offers you. Eat it just as it is or add your favourite ingredients to make it perfect for you.

What’s the difference between marinara and spaghetti sauce?

Marinara sauce and spaghetti sauce are different.

In many ways spaghetti sauce is a generic term used for a thick tomato sauce, that’s then traditionally mixed with meat, such as ground beef and cheese, being a vegetarian website we don’t include meat.

Marinara sauce is a thinner tomato sauce, often made with fresh tomatoes and herbs.

Can I use store-bought marinara sauce?

Yes, you can if you want to.

We prefer to use our homemade marinara sauce because it’s such a delicious sauce, but if you’re in a hurry you can use store marinara sauce.

You can make it much better.

You really can, it’s SO easy to make the best marinara sauce!

A close up of a delicious bowl of spaghetti marinara, with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil to garnish.

What are the best tomatoes to use to make marinara sauce?

In an ideal world, you’d use fresh San Marzano tomatoes for your homemade marinara sauce, but unless you’re living in Italy it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to get hold of them, as they are grown on the Amalfi coast.

San Marzano tomatoes are deliciously sweet, they are grown in the volcanic soil of Mount Vesuvius, we had them when we visited Italy and they were so good!

We tend to buy San Marzano canned tomatoes, naturally, they aren’t as good as fresh tomatoes, but these canned tomatoes are very good and make really delicious tomato sauces.

What can I add to it?

Spaghetti marinara is a stand-alone meal on its own but sometimes, you just want to add a little extra, when you’re feeling especially hungry.

You could add veggie meatballs, cut up vegetarian sausages into chunks and cook them in the sauce.

You could add a good coating of vegetarian grated Parmesan cheese

Do I have to use spaghetti?

No, you can use virtually any type of pasta you have in your store cupboard, and cook pasta you love.

Rigatoni, fusilli, and fettuccine, are all great with marinara sauce, just use what you have.

A bowl of spaghetti marinara, with grated Parmesan cheese on top with fresh basil.

How do I store it?

The Marinara tomato sauce lasts for up to 5 days when it’s stored in the fridge in an airtight container.

Pasta can be stored in the fridge overnight but it’s so quick and simple to make, that it’s best to make it fresh the next day.

You can also freeze Spaghetti marinara for up to a month.

Recipe notes and expert tips

  • Is your sauce too thin?
    It shouldn’t be too thin, but if it is, you can add a little tomato paste to thicken it to your preference.
  • Storing notes
    Store overnight in the fridge in an airtight container or freeze for up to a month.
  • Double up the marinara sauce
    It’s so easy to make this lovely quick sauce, so double up and freeze the sauce you don’t use.

More easy pasta recipes for you to try

If you love our spaghetti marinara, then you should check out these tasty recipes!

  • Cacio e pepe
  • Pesto pasta
  • Spaghetti aglio e olio
  • Lemon pasta
  • Gigi Hadid pasta
A bowl of freshly made cacio e pepe.

Spaghetti cacio e pepe – with pepper and cheese

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

Gigi Hadid pasta recipe

Vegetarian spaghetti and meatballs, freshly made in two bowls with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese to garnish.

Vegetarian spaghetti and meatballs

Close up of a delicious bowl of pesto pasta.

Pesto pasta – pasta al pesto

Homemade spaghetti aglio e olio on a pate.

Spaghetti aglio e olio (with garlic & oil)

Best lemon pasta

Love vegetarian food?

Follow us on Facebook for lots of tasty vegetarian and vegan recipes and tips!

Why not try an artichoke pizza from our friends at With Spice?

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

Making spaghetti marinara is so simple if you follow our easy instructions.

Full measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the printable recipe card below.

Making the marinara sauce (optional)

If you are making our marinara sauce recipe, you’ll need to do that first.

In a medium saucepan or Dutch oven, add your San Marzano tomatoes, then add onions and garlic.

Now add dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, extra virgin olive oil, and then stir to combine thoroughly.

Process shots for how to make spaghetti marinara, add the tomatoes into a Dutch oven, chopped onions and garlic cloves.

Bring the pan to a simmer over medium heat, then lower the heat, stir, and then leave to simmer for approximately 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Making the spaghetti marinara

Using the cooking instructions on your spaghetti packet, bring a large pan of salted water to a boil and then immerse the spaghetti into it.

Stir to ensure the spaghetti doesn’t stick together.

Process shots for making spaghetti marinara, add dried oregano, extra virgin olive oil, red pepper flakes and cook.

When the spaghetti is cooked, transfer it to the cooked marinara sauce, if you get a little pasta water in the sauce then that’s fine.

Toss the spaghetti into the marinara sauce and ensure that it is fully coated.

Serve in bowls, with a garnish of freshly chopped basil leaves or a sprinkling of vegetarian or vegan Parmesan cheese.

Absolutely delicious – enjoy your easy dinner!

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

We hope you enjoy making, and eating, our spaghetti with marinara sauce recipe and we’d love to hear how you got on making it.

Please leave a comment below or feel free to ask any questions that you may have about it.

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

A bowl of spaghetti marinara with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.
Print Share on Facebook Pin Recipe

EASY SPAGHETTI MARINARA

Learn how to make one of Italy's most favorite pasta sauces. Full of tomato flavor, spaghetti marinara is an easy & tasty weeknight pasta meal. Eat it just as it is or add your favorite ingredients to make it perfect for you. Great for adults but also a favorite kids meal.
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time45 mins
Total Time50 mins
Servings4
Calories551
Course: Main course
Cuisine: Italian
Author: Mandy Applegate | Splash of Taste
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Utensils

Large pot or Dutch oven
Saucepan

Ingredients

  • 1250 g San Maranzo plum tomatoes
  • 1½ Onions finely chopped
  • 3 Cloves of garlic
  • 1½ tsp Dried oregano
  • ½ tsp Red pepper flakes
  • 3 tbsp Olive oil
  • 500 g Spaghetti
  • Fresh basil leaves optional to garnish
  • Vegetarian or vegan Parmesan cheese optional to garnish
Metric – US Customary

Instructions

  • If you are making your own marinara sauce, you'll need to do that first. In a medium saucepan or Dutch oven, add your San Marzano tomatoes, then add onions and garlic.
    1250 g San Maranzo plum tomatoes, 1½ Onions, 3 Cloves of garlic
    Process shots for how to make spaghetti marinara, add the tomatoes into a Dutch oven, chopped onions and garlic cloves.
  • Now add dried oregano, red pepper flakes, olive oil, and then stir to combine thoroughly. Bring the pan to a simmer over medium heat, then lower the heat, stir, and then leave to simmer for approximately 45 minutes
    1½ tsp Dried oregano, ½ tsp Red pepper flakes, 3 tbsp Olive oil
    Process shots for making spaghetti marinara, add dried oregano, extra virgin olive oil, red pepper flakes and cook.
  • Using the cooking instructions on your spaghetti packet, bring a large pan of salted water to a boil and then immerse the spaghetti into it. Stir to ensure the spaghetti doesn't stick together. When the spaghetti is cooked, transfer it to the cooked marinara sauce, if you get a little pasta water in the sauce then that's fine. Toss the spaghetti into the marinara sauce and ensure that it is fully coated. Serve in bowls, with a garnish of fresh basil leaves or a sprinkling of vegetarian or vegan Parmesan cheese
    500 g Spaghetti, Fresh basil leaves, Vegetarian or vegan Parmesan cheese
  • Perfect pasta – enjoy!

Notes

  • Double up the marinara sauce
    It’s so easy to make, so double up and freeze the sauce you don’t use
  • Storing notes
    Store overnight in the fridge in an airtight container or freeze for up to a month

Nutrition

Calories: 551kcal | Carbohydrates: 111g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 124mg | Potassium: 1106mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 2716IU | Vitamin C: 47mg | Calcium: 87mg | Iron: 3mg
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About Mandy from Splash of Taste

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.

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. Sherry Ronning says

    November 19, 2021 at 3:10 am

    5 stars
    Your pasta recipes are so delicious and easy to make. Thank you for the recipe!!

    Reply
  2. lynn polito says

    November 19, 2021 at 11:24 am

    5 stars
    Delicious! And so easy to make! thank you!

    Reply
  3. Jenn says

    November 19, 2021 at 2:06 pm

    5 stars
    I love the simplicity and flavors in this dish! We gobbled it all up!

    Reply
  4. Sarah says

    November 19, 2021 at 3:59 pm

    5 stars
    This marinara sauce is sooo good! I’m going to make a huge batch and store in portions in the freezer. You’re right – so much better than store-bought!

    Reply
  5. Kim says

    November 19, 2021 at 10:18 pm

    5 stars
    Amazing! Such a great, simple sauce. Definitely double it up so you always have some on hand!

    Reply
  6. Tavo says

    January 9, 2022 at 12:01 pm

    5 stars
    Very nice and easy dinner for a busy week.

    Reply
  7. Claudia Lamascolo says

    January 9, 2022 at 12:46 pm

    5 stars
    This is the easiest and tastiest sauce we found and love!

    Reply
  8. Gina says

    January 9, 2022 at 12:51 pm

    5 stars
    Doesn’t get easier than a recipe like this. Perfect for quick dinners and easily customizable!

    Reply
  9. Kathryn says

    January 9, 2022 at 3:41 pm

    5 stars
    I love a classic marinara sauce and your recipe was delicious and authentic. I’m making another batch today and I can’t wait!

    Reply
  10. Jessica Stroup says

    January 9, 2022 at 4:15 pm

    5 stars
    A classic! Your recipe was absolutely delicious and so easy to follow! Thanks for this one!

    Reply
  11. Leporine says

    January 23, 2022 at 4:48 am

    5 stars
    A gazillion thanks for this. An “Italian sauce” -I’ve attempted many times, but never as detailed or for as long as your recipe. Your recipe is perfect.
    I substitute red chili flakes instead of red pepper, and sometimes use one fresh birdseye chili diced instead.

    For the low FODMAP version I infuse the oil with the garlic and onion and remove before they brown.

    Reply
    • Mandy from Splash of Taste says

      January 23, 2022 at 12:11 pm

      We so pleased that you like it and love seeing how you made it your own! It’s great that you’ve made it into a low FODMAP version too!

      Reply

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We are Mandy and Jane,
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