Simple Marinara Sauce
A vibrant, homemade marinara sauce made from fresh tomatoes, garlic, and basil. With no added sugar and minimal oil, it's a healthy and delicious topping for pasta, meatballs, or pizza.
For 4 servings
Sauté the aromatics.
- Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
TIPCooking the onions slowly builds a sweet flavor base for the sauce.Cook the tomato paste.
Add the tomato paste to the pot. Stir constantly and cook for 2-3 minutes until it darkens slightly. This step deepens the tomato flavor.
Simmer the sauce.
- Add the chopped fresh tomatoes, water, salt, and black pepper to the pot.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low.
- Cover and let it simmer for at least 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes have broken down and the sauce has thickened.
TIPFor a smoother sauce, you can use an immersion blender to blend it directly in the pot after simmering.Stir in fresh basil.
Turn off the heat. Stir the torn fresh basil leaves into the sauce. Let it sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Serve or store the sauce.
Use the marinara sauce immediately with your favorite pasta or meatballs, or let it cool completely before storing.
What to keep in mind.
5 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1For the best flavor, use ripe, in-season tomatoes like Roma or San Marzano.
- 2If the sauce is too acidic, you can add a pinch of baking soda to balance it out, instead of sugar.
- 3The sauce can be made in a large batch and frozen in portions for up to 3 months.
- 4For a richer flavor, let the sauce simmer for up to an hour.
- 5Feel free to add other herbs like dried oregano or a bay leaf during the simmering process.
Adapt it for your goals.
Quick
For a faster version, use two 28-ounce cans of crushed tomatoes (no salt added) instead of fresh tomatoes and reduce simmer time to 15 minutes.
healthyHealthy
Add finely chopped carrots and celery with the onions to sneak in extra vegetables and natural sweetness.
spicySpicy
Add 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes along with the garlic for a spicy arrabbiata-style sauce.
kid friendlyKid friendly
Blend the sauce until completely smooth to hide the texture of the onions and tomatoes for picky eaters.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Rich in Lycopene
Tomatoes are an excellent source of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to a reduced risk of certain chronic diseases.
No Added Sugar
This recipe relies on the natural sweetness of ripe tomatoes, avoiding added sugars which are common in store-bought sauces.
Heart-Healthy Fats
Using a small amount of extra virgin olive oil provides monounsaturated fats, which are beneficial for heart health.
Low in Sodium
By controlling the salt, this homemade sauce is much lower in sodium than most commercial pasta sauces, supporting better blood pressure control.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, this homemade marinara sauce is very healthy. It's made from fresh tomatoes, contains no added sugar, and uses minimal heart-healthy olive oil. It's rich in vitamins and lycopene, a powerful antioxidant.