5.0 from 21 votes
Homemade Italian Marinara Sauce Recipe
Easy to make and super flavorful, this is the Best Italian Marinara Sauce Recipe you'll ever try! With fresh basil, onion, olive oil, and garlic, your San Marzano tomatoes come to life, the flavors are authentic, and the texture is divine.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 6 -8 servings
Calories: 140 kcal
Course:
Main Course , Condiments
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 2 ounce cans San Marzano Tomatoes whole tomatoes, undrained
- 6-8 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 medium sweet onion diced (to save time you can leave this out, but it just takes a minute)
- 10-12 cloves garlic minced, or smashed and left whole
- 2-3 prigs fresh basil
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) use less if preferred
- 1/4 cup water to rinse out the cans
Instructions
- Heat a large high-sided skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. Once it’s shimmering, add the diced onion and saute for about 5-7 minutes, reduce the heat to medium-low (careful not to burn).
- While onions are sauteing, pour tomatoes into a large bowl and crush using your hands. Pour 1 cup of water into the cans, swirling around to get all of those tomato juices, set aside.
- Stir in the garlic, as soon as it’s sizzling, add the hand-crushed tomatoes (do not let the garlic brown) this is what causes bitterness. Then add reserved tomato water.
- Stir in salt, red pepper flakes, stirring to combine. Place the basil sprig on top of the sauce (including the stem), once it wilts, submerge in the sauce.
- Simmer, uncovered for at least 15 minutes, until thickened. It should be slightly reduced and somewhat thickened. For a thicker sauce, continue to cook for up to 60 minutes. Taste, adding additional salt if needed.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Please refer back to the post for tips and tricks for the best-ever Marinara sauce.
- Use immediately or cool completely, then spoon into jars, fills 1-quart jar and 1 pint (16 ounces) jar.
- Use immediately or cool completely, then spoon into jars, fills 1-quart jar and 1 pint (16 ounces) jar.
- Storage
- Fridge - Placed in an airtight container marinara sauce will last up to 7 days.
- Fridge - Placed in an airtight container marinara sauce will last up to 7 days.
- How to Freeze Marinara Sauce | Leave 1-inch space if freezing in a glass jar or plastic container. Freeze-cooled marinara sauce for up to 3 months.
- How to Freeze Marinara Sauce | Leave 1-inch space if freezing in a glass jar or plastic container. Freeze-cooled marinara sauce for up to 3 months.
- Thaw overnight in fridge. Reheat on stovetop or use in your favorite recipes.
- Thaw overnight in fridge. Reheat on stovetop or use in your favorite recipes.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1cup
Calories
140kcal
(7%)
Carbohydrates
4g
(1%)
Protein
1g
(2%)
Fat
14g
(22%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
10g
Sodium
781mg
(33%)
Potassium
57mg
(2%)
Fiber
0.4g
(2%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
61IU
(1%)
Vitamin C
3mg
(3%)
Calcium
17mg
(2%)
Iron
0.3mg
(2%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6-8 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 140
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1cup | |
| Calories | 140kcal | 7% |
| Carbohydrates | 4g | 1% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 14g | 22% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Sodium | 781mg | 33% |
| Potassium | 57mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 0.4g | 2% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 61IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 3mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 17mg | 2% |
| Iron | 0.3mg | 2% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.