Meet the marinara sauce recipe of my dreams! I’ve always been intimidated by marinara, maybe because I love it so much that I was afraid of messing it up. I finally faced my fears and tried making marinara every which way. This version is my favorite, no contest.
This homemade marinara sauce offers rich and lively tomato flavor. You’ll need only five basic pantry ingredients to make this delicious marinara sauce: good canned tomatoes, onion, garlic, dried oregano and olive oil. That’s it!
This marinara is exceptionally easy to make, too, so it’s perfect for busy weeknights. You don’t even have to chop the onion and garlic. Yep, that’s right—just crank open a can of tomatoes, halve an onion and peel some garlic. You’re ready to go!
This sauce offers lovely, authentic Italian flavor after a 45-minute simmer. I tried to take shortcuts to make it even faster, but no amount of tomato paste, spices, salt or sugar will make up for lost time.
Bottom line: It’s impossible to achieve enchanting, long-simmered marinara flavor in under 45 minutes. So throw those ingredients in a pot, pour yourself a glass of wine and boil water for pasta. Dinner is almost ready.
After trying many variations on marinara sauce, I adapted this recipe from Deb’s tomato sauce with onion and butter, which was originally sourced from Marcella Hazan’s 1992 cookbook, Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking.
I love that tomato sauce, but it doesn’t pass for marinara since it’s missing herbs, garlic and olive oil. So, I added dried oregano and two whole cloves of garlic (which you’ll smash against the side of the pan at the end).
I traded a reasonable amount of olive oil for the butter (you really don’t need to use a ton of olive oil here for rich flavor). I also added a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little kick, but those are optional.
Why is this the best marinara sauce?
Six reasons to love this recipe:
- This marinara sauce recipe requires 5 basic ingredients and yields rich, authentic marinara flavor.
- It’s super easy to make—no chopping required.
- Unlike most store-bought sauces, this marinara is free of added sugar.
- You can load up your pasta with as much of this wholesome sauce as you’d like. Tomatoes are good for you!
- The recipe yields two cups of sauce and freezes well, so you might as well double the recipe. Just cook it in a bigger pot.
- This marinara also makes an incredible pizza sauce. I made pizza with it and my friend remarked that it tastes like real-deal Italian pizza.
Please let me know in the comments how you like this sauce! It’s a new staple in my kitchen, and I hope it becomes a go-to recipe for you as well.
Craving more classic Italian recipes? Don’t miss these:
- Basil Pesto
- Vegetable Lasagna
- Hearty Spaghetti with Lentils & Marinara Sauce
- Baked Ziti with Roasted Vegetables
- Classic Minestrone Soup
- Italian Chopped Salad
Watch How to Make Marinara Sauce
Super Simple Marinara Sauce
- Author:
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
This marinara sauce recipe is the best! You’ll only need 5 basic ingredients, and it’s so easy to make. No chopping required! Recipe yields 2 cups sauce (enough for 8 ounces pasta); double if desired.
Ingredients
- 1 large can (28 ounces) whole peeled tomatoes*
- 1 medium yellow onion, peeled and halved
- 2 large cloves garlic, peeled but left whole
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional, omit if sensitive to spice)
- Salt, to taste (if necessary)
- Optional, for serving: Cooked pasta, grated Parmesan cheese or vegan Parmesan, chopped fresh basil, additional olive oil
Instructions
- In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the tomatoes (with their juices), halved onion, garlic cloves, olive oil, oregano and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium-high heat, then lower the heat to keep the sauce at a slow, steady simmer for about 45 minutes, or until droplets of oil float free of the tomatoes. Stir occasionally, and use a sturdy wooden spoon to crush the tomatoes against the side of the pot after about 15 minutes has passed.
- Remove the pot from the heat and discard the onion. Smash the garlic cloves against the side of the pot with a fork, then stir the smashed garlic into the sauce. Do the same with any tiny onion pieces you might find. Use the wooden spoon to crush the tomatoes to your liking (you can blend this sauce smooth with an immersion blender or stand blender, if desired).
- Add salt, to taste (the tomatoes are already pretty salty, so you might just need a pinch). Serve warm. This sauce keeps well, covered and refrigerated, for up to 4 days. Freeze it for up to 6 months.
Notes
*Tomato note: Using high quality tomatoes is key here. I recommend Muir Glen tomatoes. They’re organic and the cans are BPA-free.
Vegetable enthusiast. Dog lover. I'm probably making a big mess in my Kansas City kitchen right now. 
Nancy
Made this super simple recipe on Wednesday to accompany my first eggplant of this year! We loved it! Excellent is all I can say. Try it. I guarantee you will not be disappointed. In fact, we had leftovers on Thursday and it was even better when the flavors had a chance to meld. Thanks for posting!
★★★★★
Kate
Thanks for the rave review, Nancy!
Dua
Looks great and I am going to try it! Thank you Kate… My only question is can I sub canned tomatoes with fresh?
Kate
I specifically created this one to work with canned. I don’t know if you will get the same result. If you try it, let me know!
GINETTE
This was such a simple recipe with amazing taste and so much flavour WOW. I needed a Marinara sauce to used with my Italian meatballs which I served on spaghettini. My husband and I both loved it. I’m from Canada so had to use the canned San Marzano’s whole tomatoes. It worked really well! Thanks, this is now my go to sauce.
★★★★★
Kate
I love to hear that! Thank you, Ginette!
GTS
Why not use fresh home grown organic tomatoes does that change the flavor ? How about adding honey? What about substituting basil with oregano? Any hints on how to make that work? Anyone?0
★★★★★
Lucy
This is great, quick and easy as stated. Will make again. I added a tiny bit of basil for my husband. He liked the sauce and that is saying something as he is very fussy (he’s Italian) about his sauce. . Thank you for the recipe.
★★★★★
Kate
You’re welcome, Lucy!
Alana
I literally just made (and ate) this and it’s the most delicious marinara sauce recipe I’ve found. So easy to make and it tastes so fresh. This is definitely going to become a staple recipe in my kitchen!
★★★★★
Kate
Thanks for your review, Alana!
Mark Hazelrigg
Hi
Haven’t made your marinara recipe but I will be trying it really soon. Can’t wait! In your opinion, what’s the difference in using whole tomatoes vs. crushed tomatoes?
Thanks
Mark
Kate
Hi Mark! It’s a matter of flavor and texture. Does that make sense?
Tim
Have made this on several occasions always with great results. It’s become a staple!
★★★★★
Kate
Wonderful, Tim!
Kendall
While this was simple, it was somewhat boring. Maybe I needed better tomatoes – had to use what I had, which was Hunt’s canned tomatoes. Ended up adding carrots while cooking and then blending everything together to add a little bulk.
★★★
Kate
I’m sorry you didn’t love this! I do find canned tomatoes vary. I highly recommend using good canned tomatoes, organic if possible. I appreciate your feedback, Kendall!
Cathy
Love this recipe!! Super simple when you’re crunched for time but still want to eat healthy. Yes, San Marzano tomatoes are the very best for that fresh flavour.
Thank for the recipe Kate!
★★★★★
Kate
You’re welcome, Cathy!
BRENDA PLUMMER
Made this tonight, added a dash of quality balsamic and a handful of fresh basil leaves. I quartered the onion before I put it in and then just blitzed everything after cooking simmer for 1 hour. Lovely.
★★★★
Kate
Sounds delicious!
Jenni
Posting for people asking about using fresh tomatoes.
I made this tonight with fresh tomatoes and it was delicious! I made 3 batches together but did not use oil and used 5 1/4 pounds tomatoes (skinned and cut into large chunks), 1 T Olive Garden Italian seasoning, 1t oregano, 1/4 t salt, 3 pinches red pepper flakes, a lid full of dried onions (Costco size), and 7 cloves of garlic. The sauce was a little runny, I probably should have cooked it a little longer than the 45 minutes but I didn’t have time, but other than that it was AMAZING!
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you for sharing!
Shashwat Mahajan
I absolutely love it! I could make it even though it was the second or third dish I ever made LOVED IT! it’s easy, simple, tasty and has an incredible smell
★★★★★
Kate
Great to hear! Thank you for your review.
Lola
This is my new go-to sauce. Marvelous and simple and takes well to improvising. I’ve tossed in basil, butter, or other random veggies depending on the meal and it’s always been great. I do always leave the onions in at the end and let the immersion blender do its thing. Solid.
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you, Lola!
Sueann
This was so yummy!! Kid approved!
I used some tomatoes I had canned from my own garden last year and they basically fell apart. Perfect!
I didn’t have any fresh garlic so I used some minced I had in the fridge. Seemed to be great anyway.
★★★★★
Kate
Great, Sueann! Thanks you for sharing. I love you used your own canned tomatoes!
Heather
I’ve made this sauce a number of times for different crowds, and I always get asked for the recipe! It’s absolutely delicious, and a staple in my home now. Thank you for such a great recipe!
★★★★★
Kate
You’re welcome, Heather!
Bilby
This is an awesome recipe!!! I generally read recipes to understand the flavour combination and then do it my way. I used fresh tomatoes, chopped the onions and garlic and cooked them all in olive oil with some water. Added oregano, chilli flakes, and salt according to taste and also added a bit of sugar. Let it simmer for about 45 mins. I blended the whole thing after it cooled. I used it to make spaghetti with meatballs. It was aahhmaazzziiingggg according to my baby girl…
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you for sharing, Bilby!
Nicole
Billy, thanks for sharing! How many fresh tomatoes did you use for this recipe?
Susan E Grams
Absolutely delicious! We loved it.
★★★★★
Kate
Thanks for your review, Susan!
Nancy
Sounds really easy to can also . Thanks for sharing.
Kate
You’re welcome, Nancy!
Annemarie G
Is this a very thick sauce? I usually use crushed tomatoes and a little water or chicken stock, plus tomato paste. Depending on how long I let it simmer, my sauce comes out thick or on the thinner side. Recipe looks good, can’t wait to try it
Kate
It can be, depending on your preference. See the notes in the recipe. Let me know what you think!
Carole Price
I made a meatless lasagna with this marinara… wowzers! I thought I was eating at a gourmet restaurant Thank you for this super easy and sensational recipe!
★★★★★
Kate
You’re welcome! Try my best vegetarian lasagna sometime, too!
Linda
Looks great I’m going to try with fresh tomatoes
Kate
Great to hear, Linda!
Betty
Very easy and very tasty.
Perfect for one person living alone
Thank you for sharing
★★★★
Debi
Wonderful marinara…such a great taste…Thank you…so delish!
Faye
This is my go-to sauce recipe now. I always double it in order to have plenty to freeze. I’ve received many compliments on it. Thank you!
★★★★★
Marsha Jo
Made this this afternoon. Very tasty. Didn’t have whole garlic cloves. Used chopped garlic. Still very tasty with just a pinch of salt.
★
Kate
I’m sorry you weren’t in love, Marsha! Thanks for your feedback.
Brenda
I didn’t make it because it’s almost identical to my own version! I use canned San Marzano and also fresh home grown tomatoes from my own garden, including some smokey black Italian Noire. It’s simmering now and I’ll freeze some for another day. The good pinch of dried Chili flakes is a must for me.
Kate
Great minds! Thanks for sharing, Brenda.
Linda
A-MAZ-ING.
So simple and delicious. I opted to blend everything because my husband isn’t into chunky sauces, but next time I will definitely leave it chunky as it was so beautiful. My house smells amazing and this tastes divine. I can’t wait for dinner tonight!
★★★★★