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    Home » Dinner

    Basic Marinara Sauce Recipe

    Published: May 5, 2020 by Jenna · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    Marinara sauce is a basic recipe that everyone should know how to make. It only requires at least 5 simple ingredients to make and they should all be in your pantry. After making this at home, you will probably never want to buy a jar of store-bought marinara.

    Homemade Marinara Sauce

    Olive oil is a common ingredient found in the marinara sauce but that can also add on a lot of points, so I left it out and used cooking spray instead. This marinara sauce is zero points for ¾ cup. Some recipes can call for a whole 28zoz jar of marinara sauce that can easily add on 14 points to a recipe. 

    If a recipe you see online calls for store-bought marinara, make this zero point recipe at home instead and that will also help drastically save on points.

    I like to use a dutch oven for cooking marinara sauce. It comes together in under 20 minutes and I prefer this method over an Instant Pot or Slow Cooker.  

    Difference between spaghetti sauce and marinara sauce?

    Spaghetti sauce is any sauce you put on top of pasta. It can be a marinara, alfredo, puttanesca, arrabbiata, bolognese, Milanese, you name it, it's spaghetti sauce.

    A marinara sauce is a specific type of pasta sauce that is tomato based.

    Marinara Sauce Recipe

    Ingredients List 


    Want to know why I used a certain ingredient or looking for substitutions? Check out this section.

    Tomatoes   -  There are many different varieties of tomatoes out there such as stewed, crushed, and whole tomatoes. It all depends on how you like the consistency of your tomatoes. Do you like them chunky, well pureed, or whole? I prefer mine crushed.

    Onions and Garlic - These 2 vegetables are great to store in your pantry at all times. When I get onions from the store I will set them in the fridge right away and they will keep longer. Plus, if you store onions in the fridge, you won’t cry at all when chopping them. For Garlic, I buy it already minced in the jar. (Don’t like stinky garlic hands!)

    Seasonings - Oregano and Thyme are classic spices found in a lot of marinara sauce recipes. If you like basil use fresh basil leaves. It almost acts like a bay leaf and the bay leaf can sit there and flavor the sauce while it is boiling away! 

    Variations of Marinara Sauce

    If you aren’t on a diet add butter or oil to the sauce. It will give it even more flavor!

    Spicier: Add more crushed red pepper flakes to make it an Arrabiata Sauce.

    Creamy: Add some cream or milk to make it creamier. 

    How to make Marinara Sauce

    Spray a large dutch oven over medium heat with Cooking Spray.  Add onion and cook until soft, 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 minute more.

    Pour in tomatoes.  

    Season with oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper and stir in basil. Bring mixture to simmer.

    Reduce heat to low and simmer until liquid has reduced slightly. Add in ½ to 1 cup of extra water and continue cooking for another 10 minutes. Discard basil before serving.  Check for taste and season with more salt if needed.

    Serve with 1 cup of prepared pasta. Serving size: ¾ cup 

    Can be easily doubled or tripled to make more

    Other Easy Recipes

    Spaghetti and Meat Sauce

    One Pot Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

    2 Ingredient Dough Bread Sticks

    Air Fryer Garlic Bread

    Baked Chocolate Donuts 

    *If you make this recipe please comment and rate the recipe below to let everyone know how it is, or tag me on Instagram! If you want to upload a photo you can do that on Pinterest. Just find the post for it. 

    Basic Marinara Sauce Recipe
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    Basic Marinara Sauce Recipe


    ★★★★★

    5 from 1 reviews

    • Author: Jenna
    • Prep Time: 5 min
    • Cook Time: 25 min
    • Total Time: 30 min
    • Yield: 8 1x
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    Ingredients

    • ½ medium onion, minced
      4 teaspoons minced garlic
      1 (28-oz.) can crushed tomatoes
      1 tsp. dried oregano
      ⅛th teaspoon red pepper flakes
      Kosher salt to taste
      2 large sprigs fresh basil
      Cooking Spray

    Instructions

    1. Spray a large dutch oven over medium heat with Cooking Spray.  Add onion and cook until soft, 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 minute more.
    2. Pour in tomatoes.  
    3. Season with oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper and stir in basil. Bring mixture to simmer.
    4. Reduce heat to low and simmer until liquid has reduced slightly. Add in ½ to 1 cup of extra water and continue cooking for another 10 minutes. Discard basil before serving.  Check for taste and season with more salt if needed.
    5. Serve with 1 cup of prepared pasta. Serving size: ¾ cup 
    6. Can be easily doubled or tripled to make more

    Notes

    myWW points: 0 (all 3 plans)

    • Category: Easy
    • Method: Stovetop
    • Cuisine: Italian

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: ¾ cup

    Keywords: basic marinara sauce recipe

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jenna says

      September 18, 2022 at 9:31 am

      Yes

    2. Leah says

      September 17, 2022 at 9:17 pm

      Can this be pre made then frozen and taken out as needed?

    3. Jenna says

      October 11, 2020 at 9:15 am

      When figuring out points for the marinara sauce I used No salt added canned crushed tomatoes it comes to 0 points on all 3 plans. I didn't scan the can. Thanks.

    4. Debbie says

      October 11, 2020 at 9:00 am

      I did make your meatballs and your marinara sauce both came out excellent I am new to weight watchers tracking so I was just curious how you came up with zero points for the sauce when I scan the crushed tomatoes it comes to 2 points. Also using 93% lean ground beef one serving 3 ounces is four points

      ★★★★★

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    Hey, I'm Jenna! I'm a graphic designer, photographer, and home cook from From Fargo ND. My air fryer is my favorite kitchen appliance to cook with. I created this blog to share recipe tips and tricks with everyone, enjoy!

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