Homemade Marinara Sauce

Name: Homemade Marinara Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1-2 Tablespoons olive oil; 1/2 large onion (- chopped); 2 cloves garlic (- diced); 28 oz. crushed tomatoes; 15 oz. fire-roasted diced tomatoes; 3-4 Tablespoons tomato paste; 1 cup lower-sodium chicken broth; 1 teaspoon sugar; 1 teaspoon dried basil; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (- to taste)

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Homemade Marinara Sauce is quick and simple, requiring mostly pantry staples and just 30 minutes to make. Once you taste this delicious homemade sauce, you won’t go back to store-bought!

We love a great homemade sauce. Try my Traditional Bolognese Sauce, some Pizza Sauce From Scratch, or the best Homemade Basil Pesto Sauce! I rarely use store-bought sauces anymore and for good reasons.

Classic Marinara Sauce

I very rarely buy jarred marinara sauce anymore because this homemade version is SO DANG EASY. It’s a quick 30-minute recipe and uses mostly pantry ingredients that I always have on hand.

What to Serve with Homemade Marinara:

Serve this sauce with the following delicious recipes found right here on the blog:

Classic Chicken Parmesan Recipe – A go-to recipe for comfort food.
Turkey Zucchini Meatballs – One of our favorite recipes and healthier too.
Homemade Spaghetti and Meatballs – Not your average Italian meatballs!

OR use this sauce over your favorite pasta, zucchini noodles, or any sautéed veggies. You could even do a combo of all of the above – noodles and veggies topped with fresh marinara sauce!

Why This Recipe Works:

SIMPLE INGREDIENTS – Like I’ve said, this homemade pasta sauce is simple and uses basic pantry ingredients. Also, it takes less time to make it then to go to the store to purchase jars of pasta sauce.
HEALTHY – By making your own sauce, you know exactly what’s in it. Just basic good-for-you ingredients.
DELICIOUS – This simple sauce is a truly great recipe with SO MUCH rich tomato flavor. Even your picky eater will enjoy it!

Overhead view of a stock pot of homemade Sauce.

Ingredients needed for Homemade Marinara Sauce:

This is a 30-minute sauce, friends. And while it simmers, you can be making the meatballs or veggies you plan to eat with it. So easy, but way more delicious than store-bought. I promise! Make a big batch and enjoy it all week long.

Olive Oil – For sautéing the veggies, and for flavor.
Onion & Garlic Cloves – These are the only two fresh veggies, and we’ll sauté them in olive oil.
Crushed Tomatoes – The quickest way to make sauce is to buy the crushed. BUT, you could buy whole tomatoes and then crush them yourself.
Diced Tomatoes – I prefer the fire-roasted tomatoes always, but you can always use regular, or mild.
Tomato Paste – 3-4 Tablespoons is just right for this recipe.
Chicken Broth – Some of this will cook down during the process.
Sugar – Just a bit of sugar to balance all the acidity from the tomatoes.
Spices – Basil, Italian Seasoning, and kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Feel free to use fresh herbs if you have them.
Optional – Add bay leaves and simmer for even longer (if you have time).

USING FRESH TOMATOES in your own Marinara Sauce is great too. Just use less canned tomatoes and adjust seasonings as needed.

The ingredients for the homemade marinara sauce.

How to make Homemade Marinara Sauce:

Step 1
Sauté veggies. In a large pot, sauté the onions in a little olive oil for 4-5 minutes over medium heat. When the onions are soft and translucent, add the garlic, seasonings, and tomato paste – and stir for another minute or so.

A pot of the sautéed onions with seasonings and tomato paste.

Step 2
Add remaining ingredients. Then add all the tomatoes (crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste), the chicken broth, and sugar. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, and then reduce heat to a simmer.

A pot of the sauce after adding the diced andsetew

Step 3
Simmer. Continue cooking the sauce for about 20-25 minutes, or until the sauce cooks down slightly.

Step 4
Test. Taste the marinara sauce, and add more seasonings, if desired.

Step 5
Serve. Serve this homemade sauce over meatballs, veggies, and/or pasta. Enjoy!

Side view of a stock po top maraca sauce.

Recipe FAQs

What is the difference between spaghetti sauce and marinara sauce?

Spaghetti sauce generally includes meat and is a thicker sauce. Marinara is a bit thinner and can be used a dipping sauce.

Why do you put sugar in marinara sauce?

Just a pinch of sugar is added to marinara to balance the acidity level of the tomatoes.

What makes marinara sauce better?

Using diced onions and minced garlic in your sauce is the key to flavor. Don’t skip it!

Can I puree my marinara?

Yes. If you want a smoother consistency, use an immersion blender to puree it. Or likewise, pour it into a blender, let cool slightly, and then puree.

Storing and Freezing:

STORE the best marinara sauce in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to four days.
FREEZE marinara sauce in in airtight container wrapped in a large freezer bag. This will freeze well for 3-4 months.

A large measuring cup of homemade sauce.

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

Dutch Oven – I used my Dutch Oven for this recipe, but any pan will work just fine.
Global 7-inch Knife – My favorite knife.

Make this pasta dish next: Rigatoni Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli

xoxo ~Sue