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This easy marinara sauce is rich, garlicky, and perfectly balanced with just a handful of pantry staples. Whether you’re using passata or crushed tomatoes, this quick marinara sauce comes together in just 20 minutes and tastes so much better than store-bought!
Looks for ways to use marinara sauce? You need to try our
The BEST Marinara Sauce you’ll make at home
Growing up with a very Italian father, I’m no stranger to a good pot of homemade pasta sauce! I’ll forever regret that I didn’t write down his recipe before it was too late but he was adamant about using passata and I carried that over to my own recipe for a rich and smooth sauce.
I put a lot of love into creating this recipe and I hope you love it as much as my family does!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in just 20 minutes – perfect for busy weeknights
- Made with simple, pantry-friendly ingredients
- Works with passata or crushed tomatoes
- Rich, classic flavor that works for pasta, pizza, and more
In this post…
Simple ingredients needed
The handful of ingredients for this easy homemade marinara sauce are listed fully down in the recipe card but let’s briefly go over the pantry staples needed including a few substitutions you can make as desired!
- Olive oil – Adds richness and helps sauté the aromatics. Any neutral oil works, but olive oil gives the best flavor.
- Yellow onion – Adds subtle sweetness and depth. White onion can also be used.
- Garlic – Fresh garlic is key for that classic marinara flavor. Add as much or as little as you prefer (I often add more!).
- Red pepper flakes – Optional, but adds a gentle heat that balances the sauce.
- Passata – Creates a smooth, rich marinara sauce with a nice depth of flavor that you’ll love. You can substitute crushed tomatoes for a more rustic texture and chunkier sauce. Honestly, both work great!
- Dried basil & dried oregano – Adds that classic Italian flavor. Fresh basil can be used for a brighter finish.
How to Make It
Just a reminder that you can find the FULL written marinara recipe down in the recipe card, but I want to quickly go over how to make them with visuals for you :)
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, saute the onion for about 5 minutes. Add in the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for an additional minute.
- Pour in the passata (or crushed tomatoes), spices, and salt + pepper. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for about 20 minutes and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Don’t rush the onions – letting them soften properly builds the base flavor of your sauce.
- Simmer longer for deeper flavor. While this is a quick marinara sauce, letting it cook for 30–40 minutes makes it even richer! I often do this if I have the time.
- Use passata for a smoother sauce or crushed tomatoes for a chunkier texture.
- Add fresh basil at the end for the best flavor if using instead of dried.
- If your sauce tastes too acidic, add a small pinch of sugar to balance it.
Ways to Use This Marinara Sauce
This easy marinara sauce is one of those recipes you’ll find yourself making on repeat because it works in so many different meals. Here are a few of my favorite ways to use it:
- Toss it with your favorite pasta for a quick and cozy weeknight dinner
- Use it as the base for baked pasta dishes like vegetarian baked ziti or stuffed shells
- Spread it over pizza dough for an easy homemade pizza night
- Spoon it over crispy eggplant or tofu for a simple, satisfying meal
- Add it to grain bowls or roasted veggie bowls for extra flavor
- Use it as a dipping sauce for garlic bread, breadsticks, or mozzarella sticks
- Stir it into soups or casseroles for a rich tomato base
- Use it in lasagna or layered pasta bakes for a classic comfort food dinner
Once you have a batch of this homemade marinara sauce in your fridge, you’re basically halfway to dinner all week long 🙌
Frequently Asked Questions
Marinara sauce is typically a simple tomato-based sauce made with garlic, herbs, and olive oil. Pasta sauce is a broader term that can include cream-based sauces, meat sauces, and more.
Yes! This marinara sauce with passata will be smoother, while crushed tomatoes will give you a more rustic texture. Both work great.
Absolutely!! This is a very simple marinara sauce recipe made with minimal ingredients and no complicated steps.
Easy Marinara Sauce (Ready in 20 Minutes)
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ small yellow onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 24 oz jar passata, (can substitute for crushed tomatoes)*
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt, plus more to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried basil, or 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano, optional but recommended
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a medium pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly translucent. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Pour in the passata (or crushed tomatoes), salt, pepper, basil, and oregano. Stir well to combine. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Let it cook uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. For a deeper flavor, simmer for 30–40 minutes. The longer it cooks, the richer and slightly thicker it becomes!
- Taste and add more salt if needed. If using fresh basil, stir it in during the last few minutes of cooking.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
