• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • Youtube
Sugar Spun Run
  • All Recipes
  • Desserts
    • Cookies
    • Candy
    • Bars & Brownies
    • Cake
    • Pies
  • Breads (Yeast & Quick Breads)
  • Savory
  • Breakfast
    • Muffins
    • Scones
  • Seasonal
    • Cozy Winter / Holiday Treats
    • Easter / Spring
    • Fall Recipes
    • Summer Recipes
  • Shop
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • About Me
  • Contact/Work with Me
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • Youtube
  • ร—
    Home ยป Recipes ยป Kitchen Tips

    Homemade Marinara Sauce Recipe

    Updated: March 16, 2021 by Sam Merritt โ€ข 73 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure policy.
    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video
    Homemade Marinara Sauce

    How to make a hearty, homemade Marinara Sauce from scratch! Today’s recipe is easy with just a handful of ingredients, but plenty of robust fresh flavor! Recipe includes a how-to video at the bottom of the post. 

    Jar of easy homemade marinara sauce

    An Easy, Hearty Sauce Recipe

    I’ve been making this marinara sauce recipe so frequently the past few weeks I finally decided it was about time I share it with you. It’s shockingly simple to make with a full-bodied flavor that puts every jarred sauce in the supermarket to shame.

    This recipe is simple, but it’s a definite keeper. Use it anywhere you would use store-bought marinara, just prepare yourself because the flavor is simply not comparable. Nobody needs to know you made a sauce this good so effortlessly, and in under 20 minutes at that! This simple sauce recipe is perfect for topping off your favorite pizza dough or pasta or for dunking mozzarella sticks or garlic knots. It’s also a great vegetarian sauce option for making my Baked Ziti!

    How to make Marinara Sauce from scratch: Stirring basil into simmering sauce

    What is the Difference Between Marinara Sauce and Spaghetti Sauce?

    Traditionally, spaghetti sauce is heartier and thicker while marinara sauce is thinner. Spaghetti sauce also often includes meat while marinara is a more vegetarian sauce option.

    However, this my recipe is fairly hearty and I’ve used it over spaghetti plenty of times. You’re going to love the flavor so much you’ll want to put it on everything.

    How To Make It?

    1. Sauté onion in olive oil
    2. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
    3. Stir in crushed tomatoes, basil, sugar, oregano, sea salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper.
    4. Simmer at least 15 minutes then use as desired.

    I do want to note that many hard-core traditional marinaras recipes don’t use onion. Feel free to leave it out if you are so inclined! I think it adds to the robust flavor of this sauce, but to each their own.

    Also if you’re concerned about the fact that we’re not starting with fresh tomatoes, I do have plans for a truly fresh option, coming this summer. It’s just… February right now and there’s snow on the ground as I type this, so give me some time. And keep in mind most marinara sauce recipes start with canned tomatoes, so don’t beat yourself up if you don’t have garden fresh on hand.

    Is Marinara Sauce the Same as Pizza Sauce?

    It isn’t technically the same as pizza sauce, though you can certainly use it as such. I can’t count the number of times I’ve made my pizza recipe with  this exact sauce and some mozzarella. However, there are some differences.

    While this sauce spends some time simmering on the stove, this step is not required for making pizza sauce. While I find that cooking/simmering the sauce really helps to develop the flavors, it also will diminish that distinct fresh “tomato” taste (though it deepens the flavor profile in other ways!).

    Mason jar of freshly cooked marinara sauce

    Enjoy!

    On Wednesday I’ll be sharing a Stuffed Shells recipe that I made using this sauce, so if you’re not already on my (free) e-mail list, make sure you subscribe so you never miss a new recipe!

    More Savory Recipes You Might Enjoy:

    • Baked Mac & Cheese
    • Chili Recipe
    • Hashbrown Casserole

    Be sure to check out the recipe video at the bottom of the recipe! If you enjoy watching, make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel where I’ve already uploaded over 100 recipe videos that you can watch for free!

    Marinara sauce in mason jar

    Homemade Marinara Sauce Recipe

    How to make a hearty, homemade Marinara Sauce from scratch! Today’s recipe is easy with just a handful of ingredients, but plenty of robust fresh flavor!
    4.96 from 24 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Course: Main Dish
    Cuisine: American, Italian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 3 cups
    Calories: 103kcal
    Author: Sam Merritt
    YouTube video

    Ingredients

    • 2 Tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
    • 1 cup (145 g) finely chopped yellow onion
    • 2 Tablespoons minced garlic this was about 5 large cloves for me
    • 28 oz (680 g) crushed tomatoes no spices or salt added
    • 2 Tablespoons finely shredded fresh basil
    • 2 teaspoons sugar
    • ¾ teaspoons dried oregano
    • ¾ teaspoons finely ground sea salt
    • ½ teaspoon finely cracked black pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

    Instructions

    • Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium/high heat until shimmering.
      2 Tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
    • Add onion and cook, stirring frequently, until softened and translucent (about 3 minutes)
      1 cup (145 g) finely chopped yellow onion
    • Add garlic, cook (stirring frequently) until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
      2 Tablespoons minced garlic
    • Add crushed tomatoes, basil, sugar, dried oregano, sea salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir well and reduce heat to medium low.
      28 oz (680 g) crushed tomatoes, 2 Tablespoons finely shredded fresh basil, 2 teaspoons sugar, ¾ teaspoons dried oregano, ¾ teaspoons finely ground sea salt, ½ teaspoon finely cracked black pepper, ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • Simmer marinara sauce for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Use as desired.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.5cups | Calories: 103kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 503mg | Potassium: 489mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 650IU | Vitamin C: 9.9mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1.8mg

    Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.

    Tried this recipe? Show me on Instagram!Mention @SugarSpun_Sam or tag #sugarspunrun!

     

    More Kitchen Tips

    • Spoon in a jar of homemade caesar dressing with salads in the background.
      Easy Caesar Dressing Recipe
    • Spoon dipping into a small jar of homemade pistachio cream.
      Pistachio Cream
    • Overhead view of a bowl of lemon glaze being whisked.
      An Easy Lemon Glaze Recipe
    • Jar of Italian dressing made from a homemade Italian dressing recipe.
      Italian Dressing

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kathy

      September 14, 2025 at 1:18 am

      5 stars
      Fantastic flavor and consistency!

      I was out to my garden and picked a 5 gallon bucket of fresh beautiful tomatoes! Now what to do with them all. Them I thought Spaghetti/ tomatoes sauce. I quickly typed in a request for it on the web and up popped Sugar Spun Run with a simple recipe for it. It must be my lucky day as this recipe has more flavor than I’ve ever gotten from store bought sauces. You were telling the truth when you said that in your article.

      Reply
      • Sam Merritt

        September 15, 2025 at 10:04 pm

        That is a LOT of tomatoes! I am jealous! I’m so glad you enjoyed this one and I truly appreciate your support! ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    « Older Comments
    4.96 from 24 votes (9 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    The author (Sam) in blue shirt holding donut Hi, I'm Sam! I'm dedicated to bringing you sweet, simple, and from-scratch dessert recipes. My life may or may not be controlled by my sweet tooth. Send help (or chocolate). Read more about me.

    Warm Weather Recipes

    The Best Memorial Day Recipes

    Memorial Day Recipes

    Overhead of blueberry lemon tarts

    Lemon Blueberry Tarts (in Mason Jar Lids)

    Slice of blueberry pie with a lattice crust on a white plate.

    Blueberry Pie

    Overhead view of cheesecake stuffed strawberries arranged in a circle on a plate.

    Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries

    Bowl of berry crisp topped with a melting scoop of vanilla ice cream.

    Berry Crisp

    Overhead view of a cup of dirt pudding with one bite missing.

    Cup of Dirt Recipe

    More Summer Recipes

    Most Popular

    flaky biscuit on white cloth

    Easy Homemade Biscuits

    Pizza dough in glass bowl, after rising

    The Best Pizza Dough Recipe

    Slice of cheesecake

    The Best Cheesecake Recipe

    Potato soup in bowl, with toppings

    The Ultimate Creamy Potato Soup

    one bite missing from a slice of vanilla cake with chocolate frosting

    The Best Vanilla Cake Recipe

    Stack of cookies made from this chocolate chip cookie recipe with melty chocolate chips and a bite missing from the top cookie

    The WORST Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

    places sugar spun run has been featured (Women's Day, Redbook, Good Housekeeping, Country Living, the huffington post, People, Delish, MSN, TLC, Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, Buzzfeed)
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • Youtube

    Privacy Policy

    Footer

    โ†‘ back to top

    ABOUT

    • About Me
    • Policies, Disclosure & Privacy
    • Terms of Use

    CONTACT

    • Contact
    • Work with Me!

    ยฉ 2020 Sugar Spun Run. All Rights Reserved

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.