Easy Classic Marinara Sauce Recipe

Name: Easy Classic Marinara Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4

By Pam 2025-08-09 ⏱ 15 min 🔥 30 min 🍽 4

Replace canned tomatoes with 2 pounds of fresh ripe tomatoes blanched, peeled, and crushed for a garden‑fresh version. Swap basil for oregano or thyme to change the herb profile. For a richer sauce, stir in a tablespoon of olive tapenade or sundried tomato puree.

Dietary Adjustments

The recipe is naturally vegan and gluten‑free. If you need a low‑sodium version, reduce the added salt and use low‑sodium canned tomatoes. For a keto twist, omit the sugar and serve the sauce over cauliflower hash browns.

Serving Suggestions

Pair the marinara with fluffy scrambled eggs, drizzle over avocado toast, or use as a base for a brunch pizza topped with poached eggs and arugula. A side of roasted potatoes or a simple mixed greens salad completes the meal.

Easy Classic Marinara Sauce Recipe

Prep: 15 mins Cook: 30 mins Servings: 6 There’s something timeless about a good marinara sauce – it’s the kind of comfort food that can turn a simple…

Prep15 min

Cook30 min

Serves4

Ingredients

Tomatoes & Base

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, finely diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 (28‑oz) can whole peeled tomatoes
1 (14‑oz) can crushed tomatoes

Herbs & Seasonings

1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
½ cup fresh basil leaves, torn
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

Cooking the Sauce

Heat the Oil. Warm the olive oil over medium heat for about 2 minutes until it shimmers. The oil should be hot but not smoking, which is ideal for sautéing the aromatics without burning them.
Sauté Onion & Garlic. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 4‑5 minutes until translucent. Then stir in the minced garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds—watch for a golden aroma, indicating the garlic is softened but not browned.
Combine Tomatoes. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and the hand‑crushed whole tomatoes. Stir to blend, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it bubble softly for 15‑20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Season & Balance. Add the sugar, salt, pepper, and red‑pepper flakes. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. The sauce should taste slightly sweet, bright, and have a mild heat from the flakes.
Finish with Herbs. Turn off the heat and fold in the torn basil and chopped parsley. The residual heat will wilt the herbs just enough to release their fragrance without losing color.