Pasta & Italian Sauces

Easy Marinara Sauce

A simple 35-minute marinara with canned tomatoes, garlic, olive oil and basil. A pantry sauce for pasta, pizza and dipping.

By The Vehama Kitchen Published
Prep
10 mins
Cook
25 mins
Total
35 mins
Makes
About 3 1/2 cups
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Easy Marinara Sauce — A simple 35-minute marinara with canned tomatoes, garlic, olive oil and basil Save to Pinterest

Good marinara needs only a few ingredients: quality canned tomatoes, olive oil, garlic and basil. A gentle 25-minute simmer cooks off the raw tomato taste without making the sauce heavy.

Use whole peeled tomatoes and crush them by hand for a rustic texture, or blend the finished sauce for a smooth one.

Ingredient substitutions

  • Whole peeled tomatoes → crushed tomatoes (smoother, less simmering)
  • Fresh basil → 1 tsp dried basil, added with the oregano

Flavor variations

  • Arrabbiata: double the red pepper flakes.
  • Add a splash of red wine vinegar at the end for brightness.

Tips and troubleshooting

  • Keep the heat low when cooking the garlic; browned garlic turns bitter.
  • If the sauce tastes sharp, simmer a few minutes longer rather than adding sugar.

Storage and food safety

  • Refrigerate for up to 5 days.
  • Freeze in portions for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge.

What to serve it with

  • Spaghetti and baked pasta
  • Pizza base and meatballs
  • Dipping sauce for mozzarella sticks

Recipe

Easy Marinara Sauce

Prep
10 mins
Cook
25 mins
Total
35 mins
Yield
About 3 1/2 cups
Serving
1/2 cup

Ingredients

Makes 6 servings

  • 1 can (28 oz) whole peeled tomatoes
  • 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 6 fresh basil leaves

Instructions

  1. Pour the tomatoes into a bowl and crush them with your hands or a potato masher.
  2. Warm the olive oil in a saucepan over medium-low heat and add the garlic and red pepper flakes.
  3. Cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring, until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
  4. Add the crushed tomatoes, oregano and salt and bring to a simmer.
  5. Simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
  6. Tear in the basil, taste and adjust the salt.

Vehama Recipes — https://vehama.com/marinara-sauce/

Flavor

Goes with

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