This easy sauce is made with canned tomatoes and a handful of seasonings simmered until thick and flavorful. Marinara sauce is a simple tomato sauce, perfect for pasta or preparing lasagna. Don’t let the simplicity fool you; it’s delicious.
Ingredients for Homemade Marinara Sauce
Tomatoes: Use a combination of crushed and canned tomatoes along with tomato paste. While it costs just slightly more, I love the fresh flavor that San Marzano tomatoes add to sauces. Fresh tomatoes can be peeled and added. Vegetables: Onion and garlic add flavor, while shredded carrots add sweetness and balance the tart flavor of the tomatoes. Sugar: Depending on the brand of tomatoes, you may not need sugar in this recipe. If the sauce is tart, add a pinch or two. You can omit the sugar entirely if you’d like. Seasonings: Add dried seasonings (like DIY Italian seasoning) before simmering in Step 5. Fresh herbs should be added just before serving. A few red pepper flakes or a splash of sriracha gives homemade marinara a little pep!
Variations
Sneak in shredded zucchini or a little pureed pumpkin or squash as a natural sweetener and nutrient booster. Or add ground beef and turn this into a hearty homemade spaghetti sauce.
How to Make Marinara Sauce
Besides spaghetti, use marinara sauce in chicken parmesan, for a great meat sauce, or as a dipping sauce for breadsticks. Marinara sauce will last about 5 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container. For longer storage, it can be stored in the freezer for up to 4 months. Did your family love this easy Marinara Sauce? Leave us a rating and a comment below! © SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
