Easy Marinara Sauce (Ready in 20 Minutes)
This easy marinara sauce is a simple, homemade staple that’s ready in just 20 minutes. Made with pantry ingredients like passata or crushed tomatoes, it’s the perfect quick marinara sauce for pasta, pizza, and more.
Servings: 4 servings
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
*If using crushed tomatoes instead of passata, expect a slightly more rustic texture. No blending needed.
Storage Instructions - Store leftover marinara sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
To freeze, let the sauce cool completely and store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Nutrition
Calories: 136kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 923mg | Potassium: 784mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 911IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 3mg
