This sauce is the foundation of so many amazing Italian dishes.
We use this amazingly flavorful classic Italian sauce so often, we usually double the recipe and then freeze what we don’t need. It puts your spaghetti and meatballs over the top and is also the perfect dipping sauce for fried mozzarella, calamari, or zucchini.
How To Make Homemade Marinara Sauce
This sauce only has six ingredients, and two of them are salt and pepper.
But, folks, it’s that simplicity that makes this creation sing in beautiful Italian arias.
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The Ingredients You Will Need
Just a quick swing by the grocery store to pick up a handful of ingredients is all you need to prepare this classic sauce.
Here’s What You’ll Need
Tomatoes – Canned San Marzano tomatoes are highly recommended. Make sure the can says “Certified.”
Oil – Olive oil is definitely the best
Garlic – You’ll use a lot of it, but it’s not too much, we promise
Herbs – Fresh basil and parsley are a must
Seasoning – Salt and pepper is all you need
Tips for Perfect Homemade Marinara Sauce
Lightly Brown the Garlic – You’ll be sautéing ¼ cup of minced garlic in a ¼ cup of olive oil. This may seem like a lot, but cook on medium-low for about 5 minutes, until the garlic is nice and golden, and the taste is mellowed. Whatever you do, don’t let the garlic burn! If it’s turning a dark brown, turn off the heat!
Mise en Place – After the garlic has turned a nice golden, it’s time to add the herbs and the salt and pepper. But they only cook for 30 seconds, and then it’s important to immediately start adding the hand-crushed tomatoes. If you don’t have everything ready to go (Mise en Place), then you run the risk of burning the herbs, and that’s not good.
Cool the Sauce – The marinara definitely gets better and better after it has time to sit and cool and for the ingredients to truly meld. After the simmering is done, let the sauce cool completely in the pot. If not using the same day, then place it in a container with a lid and refrigerate for up to 5 days. It just gets better with time!
EXPERT TIP: As the garlic is being sautéed, stir it frequently. If sticking to the end of your spoon or spatula, just use the edge of a knife to scrape it back into the pot. Remember, don’t let the garlic turn a dark, dark brown and burn! If this happens, you’ll need to start over.
How To Use Marinara Sauce
Homemade marinara sauce has so many purposes. It takes classic Italian dishes to the next level, but is also the perfect dipping sauce for appetizers, too.
Here are a few Italian dishes that absolutely are made even better with homemade sauce.
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Baked Ziti
Lasagna Bolognese
Eggplant Parmesan
Shrimp Marinara
Pasta Pomodoro
Eggplant Rollatini with Ricotta
Chicken Parmigiana
Meatball Sub Sandwich
Sausage and Peppers Hero
Fried Calamari with Marinara
EXPERT TIP: Be sure to let the canned tomatoes drain completely before adding them to the pot. You’ll want to hold onto the liquid and add in during the final simmering of the sauce. It’s okay if some of the sauce goes into the pot with the tomatoes.
This sauce is so versatile and so authentically delicious, we often make a double batch and then freeze half of it for future use.
It freezes beautifully.
And did we mention how much it will elevate your favorite Italian dishes, including Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs? Just look at this!
Homemade marinara sauce is easy to prepare and it truly is a game changer for taking your Italian dishes to the next level.
Be sure to let the sauce cool off after simmering. It’s important to let those flavors meld.
And the smell in your house when the sauce is simmering is incredible.
Ready to make the best Italian gravy this side of Tuscany? Go for it!
And when you do, be sure to take a photograph of it, post it on Instagram and tag @HowToFeedaLoon and hashtag @HowToFeedaLoon!
Homemade Marinara Sauce
Ingredients
- 3 28 oz cans tomatoes whole, San Marzano are the best
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup garlic finely chopped
- 3 tbsp basil fresh, chopped
- 2 tbsp parsley fresh, chopped
- 1 tsp Kosher salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Drain the tomatoes in a colander set in a large bowl for 5 minutes. Reserve the tomato liquid.3 28 oz cans tomatoes
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the garlic and cook it; stirring, for about 5 minutes, or until it is golden brown. It should turn golden brown, but don't let it burn!¼ cup olive oil, ¼ cup garlic
- Add the basil, parsley, salt, and pepper. Cook the mixture for 30 seconds.3 tbsp basil, 2 tbsp parsley, 1 tsp Kosher salt, ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- Add just the tomatoes (not the juice...hold onto the juice). Break the tomatoes up with your hands as you add them to the pot.
- Increase the heat to high, and cook them for 5 minutes.
- Reduce the heat and simmer the sauce for about 10 minutes.
- Add the reserved tomato liquid.
- Increase the heat to high and bring the sauce to a boil.
- Boil if for 12 minutes, until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally and scraping the bottom to prevent burning.
- Turn off the heat and let rest for at least an hour.
Notes
Nutrition
POST UPDATE: This recipe was originally published in August 2014, but was updated with improved tweaks to the recipe with new tips and photography and a fabulous new video in March 2023!
I plan on making this next Sunday. My question is how many cups will this yield?
Hi Phyllis! It makes about 10 cups. Let us know how everything turns out!! Best, Kris & Wesley
Made this delicious sauce for the first time and my husband just said:”You know, this sauce is so delicious, I could eat it by itself!”… then he asked “Is this recipe one from the 2 guys (chefs) you love?” That would be a resounding YES!!!
Hi Nan! We can’t even begin to express how happy this makes us! We are THRILLED you made the marinara and had such great success! And we LOVE that your hubby love it, too!! Thank you for your love and support! That means the world to us! And please give our best to that wonderful husband of yours! Stay in touch!!!!
19/06/2024 made this sauce to go with a pasta dish I was making and oh my goodness it was delicious much better than store bought jars. It was easy to follow the instructions and my son said it was better than the store bought sauce. This is now the recipe I will use for my pasta. I made your tomato and basil soup back in October of 2022 and that was amazing I still make it today and have not bought tinned soup since finding your recipe thank you for sharing your recipes
Hi Bev!!! Woo hoo!! We LOVE that you made the marinara sauce and had such great success! It really is a game-changer, right? And we are thrilled you made the tomato and basil soup and love it, too!! Homemade is the way to go! Thanks so much for sharing and for the wonderful review. That means the world to us! Please stay in touch! xo Kris & Wesley
Hi guys! I can’t begin to tell you how much that I love this recipe. It really is my go to recipe. I am making some now as I write. I always triple the recipe and then freeze individual portions I foodsaver bags so I always have some available for whatever I’m cooking. Making manicotti tonight so this will be used for sure! Can I just tell you how much that I despise peeling and mincing garlic? It is my most hated prep in the kitchen. This triple recipe needs a lot of chopping but I just keep telling myself how much we love garlic. Now on to the manicotti filling. Have a great weekend guys.
Hi Diane! We LIVE for this marinara, too! Once you get past all that garlic mincing, then its a breeze! You are an amazing cook and don’t forget it!!! Manicotti!!! YUM!!!!! Have a wonderful Sunday!!! xoxo Kris & Wesley
Will this recipe for sauce generate enough for the 4 cups needed w/ your Eggplant Parm recipe?
Absolutely! You’ll have plenty, plus a little more! Let us know if you make the eggplant parm and how it turns out! Best, Kris & Wesley
Can I make this in a crockpot-on low setting?
Hi Donna! So very sorry for the delayed reply! You could do it in a slow-cooker. I would sauté the garlic in the oil, add the basil and parsley with the salt and pepper, and then transfer it, along with the remaining ingredients and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours, or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours. Let us know if you try it and how it turns out!
This is my new Go To Recipe, I make a double batch and freeze so I always have it on hand for quick meals
You just made our day, Sue! Woo hoo!!! So so happy you are enjoying the marinara recipe! We LOVE it, too, and do the same with freezing, as well! It’s great for so many classic recipes! Thanks for sharing and for the wonderful review! That means the world to us!! Best, Kris & Wesley
Looks delicious. I want to make this sauce and was wondering if I can use already crushed tomatoes
Hi Elaine! Sure! Crushed tomatoes would work just fine! Let us know if you make the marinara and what you think! Best, Kris & Wesley
It was amazing on homemade cheesesteaks. Thank you
Awesome! Sounds heavenly! Thank you so much for letting us know!
Pretty dang good! Also followed your meatball recipe and it were terrific. As a partial Sicilian, may I respectfully suggest some oregano for your marinara? (Dried.) Maybe it’s just how I grew up on sauce…
PS – Tried your Spanakopita recipe, with great success! Thank you…
Hi Nancy! Oregano in sauce is always a great addition! We are so so happy you enjoyed the meatballs and spanakopita! And thank you for sharing! That means the world to us! Stay in touch! All the best, Kris & Wesley
Thank you for this delicious recipe!
I always thought a good homemade sauce had to take HOURS, so I was hesitant to try making it. Now this is my go to sauce!!! I used it to make lasagna for Christmas dinner, everyone LOVED IT! My mother in law said it was the best lasagna she’s ever eaten!!!
Only downside I can see…..my family doesn’t want the recipe, they want ME to make it for them!
Hi Janet! Woo hoo!! We LOVE making marinara, too, and, it really isn’t that difficult, right? Sounds like you are making some pretty amazing dishes! That’s the problem, once you serve it (and those great Italian dishes) to family, they want it over and over! LOL!! Thank you so much for sharing and for the GREAT review. That means the world to us!!! xoxo Kris & Wesley
Hi. Can I use fresh tomatoes. If so how many. Thank you
Hi Annette, you can. I would recommend boiling them for about 1 minute, then place them in an ice bath to stop any cooking. Before you throw them into the hot water, use a sharp knife to cut a little ‘x’ at the bottom of the tomato. Then, pull the skin from the ‘x’ after they sat in the cool water for a few minutes. Roughly chop to tomatoes and add them to the oil with the cooked garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper. Use a wooden spoon (or even a masher) to help break the tomatoes down. Let them simmer until a sauce has formed. I would start with about 1 to 1½ of fresh tomatoes. Hope this helps. It will be delicious! Keep us posted! Best, Kris & Wesley
I really want to make your best ever ziti. It looks divine. And I am curious – how many cups of fresh marinara sauce does your recipe make? I just was wondering if I need to double the marinara recipe to get 5 cups of marinara, required for the ziti. I know it’s the holidays and folks are super busy, but if you get a chance, could you please let me know? I love your recipes and have enjoyed making a number of them. And your videos are to die for. Happy holidays and all my best to you and yours. And yes, I enjoyed you on Guy’s Grocery Games. Thank you so much.
Hi Lori! I hope this response is not too late! One batch of marinara will give you plenty for the baked ziti. You may even have a little left over! (Which is awesome!) We use it for so many dishes. We can’t tell you how much your support means to us and we are THRILLED you are enjoying our recipes! Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones! Please let us know how everything turns out and don’t hesitate to reach out with any other questions. We’ll reply as quickly as we possibly can, we promise!!! xoxo Kris & Wesley
Thank you for your quick response. I was hoping to make your ziti recipe as a Christmas Eve present for my hubby. I will certainly let you know how it turns out.