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Easy Marinara Sauce Recipe

4.8 from 99 reviews

A simple and flavorful Easy Marinara Sauce made with fresh herbs, garlic, onions, and crushed tomatoes. This versatile sauce simmers to perfection on the stovetop, perfect for pasta, pizza, or as a base for many Italian dishes.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 (28-ounce can) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 small onion, finely diced (approx 1 cup)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped

Instructions

  1. Sauté onions and garlic: Heat the olive oil in a medium-sized pot over medium-high heat. Add the finely diced onions and cook for 3-4 minutes until they become translucent, stirring occasionally to avoid burning. Add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds to release its aroma.
  2. Cook marinara sauce: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, then add kosher salt and chopped fresh thyme. Stir well to combine. Allow the sauce to come to a boil, then reduce the heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer. Let it simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens slightly.
  3. Stir in basil: Remove the pot from heat and stir in the chopped fresh basil carefully. This preserves the delicate herb flavor without overcooking. Your marinara sauce is now ready to be served or used as a base for your favorite dishes.

Notes

  • For a smoother sauce, you can blend the sauce after simmering to your preferred consistency.
  • Adjust salt to taste depending on your dietary needs or canned tomato salt content.
  • Fresh herbs can be substituted with dried ones, but reduce quantity by half.
  • Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Keywords: marinara sauce, easy tomato sauce, homemade marinara, Italian sauce, pasta sauce, fresh herb sauce