ByDonna Elick
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Simple Pasta Saucetastessomuch better than anything you can buy at the store, and your taste buds will do backflips over the fresh, robust flavors!!
Believe it or not, this quick and easy marinara sauce takes just5 minutesto make, and all you need are a blender and a few basic pantry staples.
Making a mouthwatering Italian dinner that your family will love doesn’t get much simpler than with my homemade pasta sauce recipe!!!
This great recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and my go-to recipe.
The simple ingredients are so much better than store-bought pasta sauce, and home cooks will agree.
Forget about the jarred sauce, and make this easy homemade spaghetti sauce on your own.
The steps on the recipe card are easy to follow – and you’ll have creamy sauce in no time at all!
Simple Pasta Sauce
Tangy, smooth, and bursting with heavenly, aromatic Mediterranean flavors, this quick and simple marinara sauce has a boatload of uses!
Of course, it’s fabulous over pasta – this is kind of a given. But, I also use it in Italian casseroles, likeChicken Parmesan Pasta.
Traditionally, marinara is intended to be used as a dipping sauce. It’s a fabulous fit with my recipes forAir Fryer Garlic KnotsandItalian Garden Breadsticks!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Fire Roasted Tomatoes With Garlic– There are all kinds of jarred and canned options to choose from, so any brand will do.
To cut back on the sodium, start with a low sodium sauce, then add salt to taste just before serving.
- Italian Seasoning– If you have dried oregano, basil, rosemary, and thyme, you can makehomemade Italian seasoninginstead of using a premade blend.
If you do make it yourself, don’t hesitate to use the Italian seasonings you like best.
- Red Pepper Flakes– If you don’t like spicy marinara, you can leave this out — but I recommend using at least a pinch!
Substitutes include cayenne pepper and paprika, though they are not as spicy as crushed red pepper flakes.
Tips for Amazing Pasta Sauce
- Leave it a bit chunky.
Don’t puree it completely! Marinara is best with a bit of texture and body to it.
So give it a few pulses, check the consistency, and don’t be afraid to leave some tomato chunks in there.
- Adjust the spiciness.
Increase the red pepper flakes to 1 teaspoon for more heat. If that’s still not spicy enough, add a small pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Use fresh aromatics.
You can use fresh onions, garlic, and herbs if you happen to have them on hand.
This homemade pasta sauce recipeintentionallyuses shortcuts, because I wanted a quick and simple pasta sauce.
But, if you have time and desire, feel free to add some home cooked touches to your marinara sauce!
Storing, Freezing, and Reheating
Leftovers of the homemade pasta sauce recipe need to be refrigerated and used up within 4 days.
Be sure to store it in an airtight container, such as a mason jar, to maximize its shelf life
For longer storage, your marinara can be frozen for up to 3 months without losing flavor.
Don’t reheat the sauce too many times, because it loses flavor each time it’s reheated. Instead, only heat up as much as you need and store the rest in the fridge.
Heating, cooling, and reheating is just an open invitation for bacteria to grow.
Marinara Sauce FAQ
What is marinara sauce?
Marinara is a flavorful Italian red sauce, sometimes made from fresh tomatoes. Unlike Italian Bolognese, marinara sauce does not include meat. The flavor is similar to a basic pizza sauce, but the consistency of marinara is thinner.
How do you thicken pasta sauce?
The quickest way to thicken marinara pasta sauce (or any sauce for that matter) is with a slurry of equal parts cornstarch and water (or other cold liquid).
Another option is to simmer the sauce for a longer period of time. This isn’t as quick as using a slurry. But unlike a slurry, reducing the sauce thickens itandimproves the flavor.
What toppings can I add to this homemade spaghetti recipe?
That’s the best part! You can add garlic powder, fresh basil, cooked ground beef, fresh parsley, fresh herbs, or any other flavors that you want. I always season and then add this to the top of the pasta, and it creates the ultimate comfort food.
The flavor of the finished sauce creates a delicious recipe for any pasta shape. Don’t forget to sprinkle on some parmesan cheese in this easy recipe. The next time that you have a craving for an easy pasta recipe, this flavorful tomato sauce is a must.
It’s the best topping for any pasta dish – and tastes just like it was created in an Italian restaurant. For the best results, make this creamy tomato pasta sauce asap! You’ll see why it’s my favorite pasta sauce!
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Other Simple Italian Sauces
Quick Homemade Simple Pasta Sauce Recipe (5 Minutes)
Donna Elick
A simple pasta sauce with fresh, robust flavors is much better than store bought. This recipe for easy marinara sauce takes just 5 minutes!
5 stars from 1 review
Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 2 minutes mins
Cook Time 3 minutes mins
Total Time 5 minutes mins
Course Pantry Staple, Sauce
Cuisine Italian
Method Blender
Servings 4 makes 24 ounces
Ingredients
- 14.5 ounces fire roasted tomatoes with garlic
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes, for spicier sauce, use more, up to 1 teaspoon
Instructions
Add all ingredients to a blender. Pulse on High power until pureed.
Pour into a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook until warmed through, about 3 minutes.
Serve and enjoy.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cup | Calories: 69cal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 0.4g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 1245mg | Sugar: 9g | Fiber: 3g | Calcium: 70mg | Iron: 2mg
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Originally published January 2013. Last updated and republished March 2024
Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link your price will remain the same and The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting us, it helps us keep creating new recipes.
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