Marinara Sauce Recipe: Rich, Robust, and Delicious
From scratch: A simplistic, flavorful, and versatile sauce
A delicious, robust, richly flavored Marinara Sauce Recipe, featuring San Marzano tomatoes and a perfect blend of herbs. Whether you’re vegan, looking for a quick meal prep solution, or craving an Italian-inspired dish, this recipe promises crowd-pleasing homemade goodness. It checks all the right boxes — flavor, texture, and simplicity. Infused with extra virgin olive oil, fresh basil, and a hint of maple syrup, it’s not just any sauce; it’s your new go-to.
I’ve always been intrigued by Italian food, it’s a perfect mix of comfort and deliciousness. Growing up, my idea of spaghetti was a store-bought jar of Ragu sauce heated and poured over noodles (the chunky vegetable version), and somehow it was still one of my favorite meals. You don’t know what you don’t know… But once I started learning my way around the kitchen, I was soon on a mission to create a delicious homemade Italian-inspired marinara sauce.
It’s been an ongoing work of progress over the years. The quality of the ingredients can make or break a good marinara sauce — I’ve learned that the hard way. And of course, having the right balance of fat, salt, and acidity makes all the difference.
This Marinara recipe is one of our favorites. It’s a simplistic sauce that offers lots of depth and flavor and complements a variety of dishes.
The Ingredients
So, let’s get into what makes this recipe delicious and nourishing. Each ingredient in this sauce plays a dual role: flavor and boosting nutrition.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: The foundation of any great Italian sauce, extra virgin olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats, known to support heart health.
Onions: A base for depth and sweetness in the sauce. Beyond their rich flavor, onions support heart health and have anti-inflammatory properties.
Garlic: Known for its potent medicinal properties, garlic boosts the immune system, reduces blood pressure, and may lower the risk of heart disease. Plus, it adds depth and gives the sauce that unmistakable flavor.
Carrots and Celery: These veggies add extra flavor, along with fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Carrots, with their beta-carotene, support eye health, while celery offers a boost in vitamin K (and you won’t even know they’re in there).
Wine or Stock for Deglazing: Adds complexity and helps absorb the rich flavors from the pan. Red wine brings antioxidants, while stock can offer a base without alcohol.
San Marzano Tomatoes: Celebrated for their sweet flavor, low acidity, and firm pulp, San Marzano tomatoes are the center of this sauce. They’re also packed with vitamins, and fiber supporting everything from heart health to digestion.
Basil and Oregano: Adds a depth of flavor and antioxidants, including anti-inflammatory properties and aiding in digestion.
Maple Syrup: A non-traditional twist that offers its natural sweetness and a dash of minerals and antioxidants.
Choosing the Perfect Olive Oil for Your Marinara Sauce
Choose cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
Choose olive oil that tastes good to you and doesn't have any off smells.
Look for oils with recent harvest dates and clear origin labeling. Fresher is better!
Select oils in dark glass or metal containers to keep them fresh for longer.
FAQ
What is the difference between marinara and spaghetti sauce?
Marinara is a quick, tomato-based sauce with garlic, herbs, and onion. Spaghetti sauce can include a variety of ingredients like protein, cream, and vegetables and often cooks longer for added depth. This marinara adds depth with extra ingredients but still keeps the cooking process shorter.
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
Yes, fresh tomatoes can be used, especially when they’re ripe and in season. However, you’ll need to peel and seed them. San Marzano canned tomatoes are recommended for their consistent flavor and convenience.
How can I make this sauce thicker?
Letting the sauce simmer uncovered allows excess water to evaporate, naturally thickening the sauce. For an even thicker consistency, cooking it down for a longer period or adding tomato paste are effective.
Is this sauce freezer-friendly?
Absolutely. Marinara sauce freezes well and can be stored in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or gently reheat in a saucepan.
How long does homemade Marinara Sauce last in the fridge?
When stored properly in an airtight container, homemade Marinara Sauce can last in the refrigerator for about 4–5 days.
In the Kitchen Tips
For a rustic texture, hand-crush your San Marzano tomatoes before adding them to the pot.
I love a garlic-rich sauce. It brings depth and warmth to the sauce, and it’s also packed with health benefits. But free to adjust the amount to match your taste.
Control the texture by blending half the sauce smooth with an immersion blender. This gives you a perfectly balanced consistency that’s neither too chunky nor too smooth.
Add whole sprigs of fresh herbs while simmering to infuse the sauce with flavor. Remove before serving.
Save a cup of pasta water to add to your sauce if needed. The starchy water helps the sauce cling to your pasta perfectly.
Drizzle a bit of high-quality olive oil over the sauce right before serving to add a fresh, rich flavor.
Double this recipe and freeze the extra sauce for a quick, homemade meal later. It freezes beautifully!
Choosing the Perfect Pot for Your Marinara Sauce
Use stainless steel, enamel-coated, or ceramic pots to avoid reactions with acidic tomatoes.
Avoid aluminum or copper pots, as they can react with the acidic tomatoes and alter the flavor of your sauce.
Select pots with thick, heavy bottoms to ensure even heat distribution, preventing hot spots and burning.
Select pots with ample space for simmering and reducing sauce without overflowing.
Perfect Pairings
This Marinara Sauce is incredibly versatile, making it a star in plant-based dishes and beyond.
Toss it with your favorite pasta for a classic meal.
Spoon it over zucchini noodles for a lighter touch.
Use as a vibrant base for your pizza.
Perfect for dipping with baked garlic breadsticks.
A rich sauce for lasagna.
Creamy Pasta Bliss
If you love creamy dreamy pasta, I have a feeling you’re going to love this!
Marinara Sauce Recipe: Rich, Robust, and Delicious
Marinara Sauce Recipe: Rich, Robust, and Delicious
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and a pinch of salt to enhance the sweetness and speed up softening, stir often.
- Once onions are golden, mix in garlic, carrots, and celery with another pinch of salt, layering the flavors, stirring often.
- Add red wine (or veggie stock for a non-alcoholic version) to deglaze. Pour over sautéed veggies, then scrape the pan to incorporate the browned bits into the sauce, allowing it to reduce slightly before adding tomatoes.
- Add San Marzano tomatoes, crushing them into the pot with your hands or a spoon. Stir in the bay leaf, dried basil, oregano, maple syrup, crushed red pepper, and another pinch of sea salt.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat. Let the sauce simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally. This gentle cooking method thickens the sauce and concentrates the flavors.
- Let everything meld together over a gentle simmer for about an hour, uncovered, for a fully developed, rich sauce. Stir frequently during the simmering process to prevent sticking.
- Halfway through simmering, taste the sauce, and add a pinch more salt if needed. The goal is to build flavor gradually, ensuring the sauce isn’t too salty for your liking.
- A few minutes before finishing, add the freshly torn basil leaves. Give the sauce a final taste, adjusting salt if necessary and a drizzle of oil.
- After your final adjustments, simmer for a few more minutes, then turn off the heat. Remove the bay leaf and cool slightly before serving.
- To store, cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Notes
- As you build the sauce, add pinches of salt as you go and taste frequently to ensure every layer of the sauce is seasoned. For more controlled seasoning, measure 1 tsp of sea salt onto a saucer, adding pinches from there. It's easier to add more salt if needed than to correct an overly salted dish.
- If the sauce is a tad more zesty than you prefer, balance it with a bit of sweetness (maple syrup), a drizzle of olive oil, or a pinch of salt. Start with a small amount, taste, and adjust—a little goes a long way toward making it just right for you.
- Add freshly torn basil leaves at the end. Tearing the basil by hand, instead of chopping, better preserves its aromatic oils and fresh flavor in your marinara.
- If doubling, use 112 ounces of San Marzano tomatoes (four 28-ounce cans)
I hope your family loves this Marinara Sauce Recipe as much as mine. The rich, robust flavors are such a delicious way to serve up a meal. Its versatility and adaptability truly make this sauce a dependable and easy go-to.
Cooking isn’t just about feeding the body; it’s about nourishing the soul, creating memories, and sharing meals.
I’d love to hear how this sauce turns out for you, any tweaks you make, or new dishes it might inspire.
