Easy Homemade Marinara Sauce (10-Minute Recipe)
This Easy Homemade Marinara Sauce is the perfect way to elevate any bowl of pasta. It comes together in just 10 minutes in one pot and is made with fresh, wholesome ingredients. This vegan marinara is a weekly staple in my kitchen and a family favorite every time.
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 118kcal
Equipment
- 1 medium saucepan
Ingredients
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 (28oz) can of crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15oz) can of tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- zest from one small lemon
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, and salt over medium heat. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring frequently. Do not allow the garlic to burn.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, maple syrup, and more salt as needed. Give it a good stir.Turn the heat to medium-high until the sauce begins to gently simmer. Cover the pot with a lid and let it cook for about 5 minutes, giving it a quick stir every minute. The sauce will bubble as it simmers, so keeping it covered is important.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add fresh lemon zest and then give it a stir. Serve immediately.
Notes
Storage:
Allow the sauce to cool completely, and then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
To freeze this marinara sauce, let it cool completely, then pour it into freezer-safe containers or bags. Leave a little room at the top for it to expand, press out any extra air, and label it with the date. It will keep its flavor for months and make the perfect grab-and-go option for quick future meals.
Tips + Modifications:
Homemade marinara is all about balance. If it tastes too acidic, add a touch more maple syrup. If it needs more salt, add it. If you don't like spice, omit the red pepper flakes or use less.
If you prefer a silky marinara, use an immersion blender for a few seconds after cooking. This is especially helpful if you’re serving it to kids or using it as a pizza sauce.
This marinara is delicious over roasted vegetables, vegan meatballs, spaghetti squash, or as a dipping sauce for sourdough or garlic bread.
Since it freezes beautifully, consider making a double batch so you always have homemade marinara ready for quick dinners.
Nutrition
Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 118kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 606mg | Potassium: 482mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 539IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 69mg | Iron: 2mg