When it comes to a quick dinner that feels cozy and satisfying, a hearty marinara sauce with pasta is always a good idea.
Whether you’re planning a spaghetti night, layering up a lasagna, or needing a flavorful base for your pizza, this homemade marinara sauce is ready to come through.
Hearty marinara sauce (no added sugar
Made with simple pantry ingredients and packed with slow-simmered flavor, this recipe is thick, rich, and easy enough for any night of the week.
You don’t need a long list of ingredients or hours in the kitchen, just one pot, some crushed tomatoes, and a few everyday seasonings and your hearty marinara sauce is ready to be used in anything!
Looking for something with a smoother consistency? Try our marinara dipping sauce made with tomato sauce and perfect for dipping.
Recipe Highlights
- Great for multiple meals: Use it as a marinara sauce for pasta, pizza, or even meatball subs.
- Easy and homemade: Made with everyday ingredients and no added sugar or preservatives.
- Freezer-friendly: Make a big batch and freeze for later. Perfect for busy weeknights.
- Customizable: Add spice, herbs, or even veggies to make it your own.
Ingredients
- Olive oil: Adds richness and helps bring out the flavor of the garlic and onions.
- Onion: Finely chopped for a mild sweetness that balances the acidity of the tomatoes.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic adds a bold, savory depth.
- Crushed tomatoes: The base of the sauce. Use good-quality canned crushed tomatoes for the best flavor.
- Dried oregano and basil: Classic Italian herbs that give the sauce its signature flavor.
- Salt and pepper: To season the sauce to taste.
* Need to print out this recipe? You’ll find a printable recipe card at the end of this post. Enjoy!
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- Sauce pan
- Wooden or silicone spatula
How to make a hearty marinara sauce
In a large saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and and mince garlic. Cook until soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, then add the oregano, parsley, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir till well combined.
Bring the sauce to a boil then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for 20 minutes, giving it an occasional stir, until it thickens to your desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley before serving.
What to serve with hearty marinara sauce
This sauce is super versatile! Spoon it over spaghetti, penne, or rigatoni for a comforting pasta night.
Use it as a base for homemade pizza or serve it alongside mozzarella sticks, garlic bread, or baked meatballs as a dipping sauce.
Storing and reheating leftovers
Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freezer: Let the sauce cool completely, then freeze in portions for up to 3 months.
To Reheat: Warm gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through.
Marinara sauce vs pizza sauce
Marinara sauce is typically cooked and simmered, with a softer, more developed flavor.
Pizza sauce is often uncooked (or only lightly cooked) and has a brighter, more raw tomato taste.
Marinara is better for pasta or dipping, while pizza sauce is meant to be baked on a crust.
Marinara sauce vs Pasta sauce
Marinara is a type of pasta sauce, but not all pasta sauces are marinara. Marinara is tomato-based and usually simple, while pasta sauce can be creamy, meaty, or loaded with vegetables. Marinara tends to be lighter and quicker to make.
Helpful Tips
- Don’t rush it! Simmering helps the flavors develop.
- Always give your sauce a taste at the end and add more salt, pepper, or herbs as needed.
- Since tomatoes are the star, good-quality canned tomatoes make a big difference.
- This recipe works great as a dip, but if you’re specifically making a marinara dipping sauce, try using tomato sauce instead of crushed tomatoes for a smoother texture that’s great for dunking.
- Want some heat? Add pepper flakes for a little heat.
- You can add a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes. (I didn't need to do this)
FAQs
You can, but the texture will be smoother and a bit thinner. Crushed tomatoes have a chunkier consistency, which gives the sauce more body. If you’re using tomato sauce, consider adding a tablespoon of tomato paste or simmering a little longer to thicken it up.
Simmering helps the flavors blend and gives the sauce a richer texture. But if you’re in a rush, even 10–15 minutes can do the trick, It just might be a little thinner and not as flavorful.
Some canned tomatoes are more acidic than others. If the sauce tastes a bit sharp, try stirring in a small pinch of sugar to balance it out.
Definitely. Let the sauce cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container or freezer bag. It’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stove.
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Try our hearty marinara sauce today!
This hearty marinara sauce is a staple for any home cook. It’s simple, flavorful, and ready to support whatever dinner plan you’ve got, from a quick weeknight pasta dish to a cozy weekend pizza night.
Make a double batch and stash some in the freezer. You’ll be glad you did.
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Easy hearty Marinara Sauce
Equipment
- Medium-sized pot or saucepan
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small Onion (finely diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (finely minced)
- 28 ounce crushed tomatoes
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Serving suggestions:
- Pasta and breadsticks
Instructions
- In a medium pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. When heated, add the chopped onions and garlic.
- Cook for about 3–4 minutes, stirring often, until the onions start to soften and the garlic is fragrant.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes, then add the oregano, parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir till well combined.
- When the sauce begins to boil, turn the heat down to low. Let it simmer gently for 20 minutes, giving it an occasional stir, until it thickens to your desired consistency.
- Sprinkle with chopped fresh basil or parsley just before serving.
- It’s great over your favorite pasta or with a side of warm breadsticks.
Notes
- Canned crushed tomatoes keep things quick and easy, but if you have whole canned tomatoes on hand, you can blend them until smooth and use those instead.
- I use plain crushed tomatoes with no additional seasonings or salt. Some brands come already seasoned so taste the tomatoes before adding salt and adjust your salt accordingly.
- Want more garlic flavor? Add an extra clove or toss in a little garlic powder for a boost.
- A pinch of red pepper flakes or a bit of cayenne adds some heat if you’re in the mood for something spicy.
- Fresh herbs work beautifully here, If swapping dried for fresh, use about twice the amount, so 1 teaspoon fresh oregano in place of ½ teaspoon dried.
Chichi says
This is a super easy sauce your family would enjoy!