5.0 from 6 votes
Marinara Sauce (Vegan, Oil-Free!)
This easy marinara sauce features cozy aromatics like onion, garlic, and herbs. (Plus no added oil or sugar!) It's easy to prepare and great on pasta, lasagna, pizza, or as a dipping sauce for garlic bread.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 6 (1/2 cup servings)
Calories: 56 kcal
Course:
Condiments
Cuisine:
Italian-American Fussion , Vegan , gluten-free
Ingredients
- 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes (good quality)
- 1 small onion (or 1/2 large)
- 3-4 cloves garlic
- 2 tsp. Italian seasoning
- 2 tsp. dried basil
- 1/2 tsp. onion powder
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. balsamic vinegar
Optional additions:
- Fresh basil or parsley (to stir in at end), red pepper flakes, 1/2 tsp. cane sugar (or 1 Tbsp. maple syrup)
Instructions
- Finely dice the onion.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, sauté onion for 7-8 minutes. (I use 3 Tbsp. water/broth for no-oil sauté method, adding more as needed.)
- Meanwhile, mince garlic.
- When onion is translucent, add garlic, Italian seasoning, dried basil, and onion powder. Stir and sauté 2 for minutes.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Add tomatoes and salt. Stir, then cover and simmer for about 20 minutes, or longer if desired. (Or simmer with the lid off for a reduced, thicker sauce.)
- Turn off heat, and stir in the balsamic vinegar. Taste and add more salt & pepper or balsamic vinegar if desired.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- For a chunky sauce: Use a 28 oz. can of whole tomatoes instead of crushed, and break them down with a spoon as they cook.
- For a smoother sauce: Blend the finished sauce in a blender or food processor. Use caution as hot foods can erupt in the blender.
- For faster preparation: Omit the fresh onion & garlic, and substitute about 1 tsp. each of onion and garlic powder instead.
- Yield: Recipe makes about 3 to 3.5 cups marinara sauce (which pairs well with about 12-16 oz. pasta).
- Recipe originally published May 2012. Updated April 2025.
Nutrition Information
Calories
56kcal
(3%)
Carbohydrates
13g
(4%)
Protein
3g
(6%)
Fat
0.4g
(1%)
Saturated Fat
0.1g
(1%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.2g
Monounsaturated Fat
0.1g
Potassium
440mg
(13%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
7g
(14%)
Vitamin A
299IU
(6%)
Vitamin C
14mg
(16%)
Calcium
71mg
(7%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6(1/2 cup servings)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 56
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 56kcal | 3% |
| Carbohydrates | 13g | 4% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 0.4g | 1% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.1g | 1% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.2g | 1% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.1g | 1% |
| Potassium | 440mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 299IU | 6% |
| Vitamin C | 14mg | 16% |
| Calcium | 71mg | 7% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.