How to Make a Hearty Homemade Marinara Sauce

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick & Easy: Ready in just 20 minutes.
• Customizable: Adjust the spices to your taste or add a twist.
• Versatile: Perfect for spaghetti, lasagna, pizza, dipping, and beyond!

Equipment Used for Homemade Marinara Sauce

• Medium saucepan
• Wooden spoon or heat-safe spatula

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cloves minced garlic or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 (14.5 ounce) cans tomato sauce
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons dried basil

How to Make Hearty Homemade Marinara Sauce

1. Heat the Oil and Garlic

In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil on medium-high heat. Add 2 cloves minced garlic and cook for 1 minute to infuse the oil with its flavor. If using garlic powder, skip this step and add it with the spices in the next step.

2. Combine the Ingredients

Next, add 2 cans of tomato sauce, 1 can of tomato paste, 1/2 cup water, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 2 teaspoons dried oregano, and 2 teaspoons dried basil to the saucepan. Stir everything until well combined.

3. Simmer the Marinara Sauce

Then bring the mixture to a light boil, then reduce the heat to low. Let the sauce simmer for at least 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Simmer the sauce 30-45 minutes to really let the spice flavors infuse into the sauce.

Variations & Substitutions

• Add a kick: Stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy marinara.
• Fresh herbs: Substitute dried oregano and basil with 1 tablespoon each of fresh oregano and basil for a brighter flavor.
• Sweeter sauce: Add 1 teaspoon of sugar to balance acidity.
• Using canned whole or diced tomatoes: If you don’t have tomato sauce, use a 28-ounce can of whole or diced tomatoes. Blend them in a blender or food processor until smooth, then proceed with the recipe.
• Using fresh tomatoes: Substitute the tomato sauce with about 6-8 fresh, ripe tomatoes, peeled and blended. You may need to simmer the sauce a little longer to reduce the extra liquid.

Tips for Success with Homemade Marinara Sauce

• Don’t skip the simmering time: This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
• If you use fresh or canned tomatoes and you’d like a smoother sauce, you can use an immersion blender to puree it to your desired consistency.

Trying to keep dinner easy and low-effort? This sauce fits right into my Meal Plan for When You’re Too Tired.

Pairings & Serving Suggestions

This hearty marinara sauce is incredibly versatile. Use it to:

• Serve as a dipping sauce for mozzarella sticks or crusty bread. Want to make your own fresh-baked bread? Try my Homemade Baguette Recipe—it’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside!
• Incorporate into my One Pot Lasagna recipe for a quick and delicious weeknight dinner.
• Use it in my Baked Eggplant Parmesan recipe for a delicious, comforting meal.
• Toss with spaghetti or penne for a classic pasta dish.
• Spread on a pizza crust for a homemade pie. For a thicker pizza sauce, simmer longer or add extra tomato paste.

Serving this at a holiday gathering? Round it out with a light, nostalgic dessert like my Festive Jell-O Fruit Salad.

Give This Homemade Hearty Marinara Sauce a Try!

Try this Hearty Homemade Marinara Sauce for your next pasta or pizza night, and let us know how it turned out in the comments! If you loved this recipe, don’t forget to save it for later and share it with a friend.

While it simmers, freshen up your kitchen naturally with these DIY Air Fresheners — simple and seasonal!