Tomato Basil Marinara Sauce
Easy Tomato Basil Marinara Sauce is a fresh, delicious homemade marinara sauce that takes minutes to put together with minimal ingredients!
A good pasta sauce is worth it’s weight in gold….liquid gold. Maybe that’s why I have gaggles of pesto and tomato-based sauces here on the blog.
It’s so important to have the ingredients to make a good pasta sauce in minutes, because we all know pasta is one of the quickest meals to get on the table fast.
Before today, I didn’t have a go-to marinara sauce recipe and it was high time that I changed that. Tomato Basil Marinara is made with quality San Marzano crushed tomatoes — the best tasting canned tomatoes ever.
It’s also got lots of fresh basil, which is a complete game changer. Fresh basil just makes me happy…the smell, the color, and the flavor. If you don’t happen to have fresh basil, by all means use dried.
How to Make Homemade Marinara Sauce
The only prep this marinara sauce recipe requires is chopping one onion and mincing a few garlic cloves.
- Cook the onion and garlic, dump in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar, and fresh basil, and let it simmer it uncovered for about 30 minutes.
- I added 2 tablespoons of olive oil to this sauce, but if you’d like your sauce to have a silkier mouthfeel, add 1-2 tablespoons more.
Recipe notes
- Use this marinara sauce in your pasta dishes, pizza, baked meatballs, sub sandwiches, you name it!
- 1 tablespoon dried basil may be substituted for the fresh basil.
- Sauce is freezer friendly.
Additional sauce recipes you’ll love:
Pasta Sauce with Turkey Sausage and Mushrooms
Use this homemade marinara sauce in the following recipes:
Margherita pizza by the Kitchn
Tomato Basil Marinara Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil divided*
- 1 medium yellow onion peeled and chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes I used San Marzano
- 1/4 cup freshly chopped basil**
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
Equipment
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium low heat. Add the onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 8-10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, basil, tomato paste, sugar, salt, and pepper, to taste. Stir to combine and simmer uncovered over low heat for 20-30 minutes. The longer the sauce simmers, the more flavorful it will be.
Notes
- *Use 1-2 tablespoons more olive oil for a smoother texture.
- **1 tablespoon dried basil may be substituted for the fresh basil.
- Use this sauce in your pasta dishes, pizza, baked meatballs, sub sandwiches, you name it!
- This sauce is very freezer friendly!
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
63 Comments on “Tomato Basil Marinara Sauce”
Good ole spaghetti with marinara is one of those foods I totally forget exists, and then suddenly crave everyday for a week. Thanks for triggering that craving — this looks delish!
I do the same thing, Kelly — I don’t make it for a long time then I go on a mini-rampage! haha Thanks! 🙂
I love making homemade marinara sauce when I can! This version looks so delicious, Marcie. I love that you used fresh basil too, I’m always looking for new ways to use my herbs I’ve planted!
I don’t use fresh herbs in my tomato sauce enough, and the basil here really make it taste so much more fresh! Thanks, Danielle! 🙂
I am so tired of the bottled sauce, thanks for posting this.
You’re so welcome, Susan! 🙂
This marinara sauce looks perfect and I love that it is so simple!
Simple it is, and sometimes simple is best! Thanks, Christin! 🙂
I’m so bad, I am very guilty of buying store bought marinara sauces. But yours looks great! You’ve inspired me to make my own!
I’ve been guilty of it, too. My husband got on this Rao’s marinara kick, which costs like $9 a jar! It’s good, but come on…I checked the ingredients list and made this version. No more Rao’s! haha Thanks, Natalie. 🙂
I think recipes like this are my favorite kind of recipes. We all need go to staples like sauces and condiments, etc etc…This looks amazing, Marcie! Pinning for later!
Staples are what makes the world go round…or dinner on the table! haha Thanks for the pin, Justine! 🙂
This homemade sauce looks perfect, Marcie! I’ve only made a sauce for lasagna once, but never one with basil. Love the pretty color and flavor!
Thanks, Gayle! This is so easy, and the fresh basil adds so much freshness! 🙂
a good sauce is worth it’s weight in gold. . I couldn’t agree more!! And you have to have a great, go -to easy tomato marinara sauce recipe . . I love this, Marcie!!!
Thank you, Alice! 🙂
Your homemade marinara sauce looks perfect, Marcie! Love all the fresh basil and how easy this comes together! So so delicious!
Thank you, Kelly! Hope you have a great weekend! 🙂
It’s so well worth mastering a good marinara sauce, isn’t it? I make mine almost the same as yours, Marcie. This is a great reminder to me to make another huge batch some time soon!
It sure is, and I love having some in the freezer for emergencies! You just never know. 🙂 Thanks, Helen, and have a great weekend!
comfort food at its finest:)
Thank you, Caralyn! 🙂
I am all for homemade marinara sauce. I LOVE San Marzano tomatoes, to me they are a must in any kind of red sauce! Pinned!
San Marzano tomatoes are a must — they make the biggest difference! Thanks for the pin, Mariah! 🙂
I can’t believe that I ever used to buy sauce from a jar. Homemade just tastes so much better isn’t it.
I’m the first to admit I’ve bought sauce in a pinch, but I just need to make a big batch and freeze it in portion sizes for emergencies! 🙂
I love these photos, Marcie! And agreed- San Marzano are the best! Gotta have them!
Thanks, Liz! 🙂
The flavor of this sauce looks irresistible! I love how easy it is!
Thank you, Jocelyn! 🙂
This is my favorite sauce for pasta. Looks soo good, I think I will be making this for dinner.
Thank you, Ella! I hope you enjoy it!
Marinara sauce is definitely one of my favourite recipes! So delicious and perfect served with pasta and parmesan! 😀
It’s great for so many things, you just can’t lose. Thanks, Jess! 🙂
Looking at this sauce, I’m wishing pasta was on the menu in my house tonight! Easy recipes like this one are necessities for busy weeknights. And fresh basil makes such a difference!
They are a necessity for sure, and the fresh basil adds so much! Thanks, Kristine! 🙂
Oooohhh, crushed red pepper flakes! Next time. 🙂
Pasta is one of our favorite go-to meals during the week. So fast, easy and always satisfying and delicious. I love that this is so easy Marcie. It looks absolutely perfect for a weeknight. Pinned. Have a fabulous and relaxing weekend!
Thank you, my dear, and you have yourself a wonderful weekend! 🙂
This looks addictive! I too often buy my pasta sauce.. I need to get on making my own 🙂
I’ve bought it countless times too, but not anymore! I’m keeping a stash in the freezer at all times. 🙂
Marcie I am drooling all over that gorgeous cast iron pot of yours and homemade marinara is my favorite! So trying your recipe!!
Thank you, Ami! That pot was a splurge but it definitely gets a good amount of use! 🙂
I love homemade marinara, it makes dishes taste a lot better! Definitely trying your recipe Marcie, looks delicious!!!
It really does make a difference, doesn’t it? 🙂 Thanks, Mira!
I usually buy read made sauces- now more!
It’s just too easy to make it than to buy it! 🙂
Fresh basil makes me happy too, Marcie! I need a good recipe like this to have on hand…I am a complete disaster when it comes to week-night dinners. Looks like a simple and delicious dinner 🙂
I can use some more organization skills for weeknight dinner too, Denise! If I have some of this in the freezer at all times, I’ll be halfway there! haha 🙂
I love how simple this marinara is! I love any good sauce recipe to smother some pasta in 😉
Thanks, Ashley! I like my pasta extra saucy! 🙂
Homemade sauce is the bomb dot come and yours look fabulous Marcie! Yum!
Haha! Thank you, Trish! 🙂
I’m all about that sauce and that red pot! Wowzee!
Thank you! Red does happen to be my favorite color. 🙂
This does look like liquid gold!! What a great sauce Marcie… When can I stop by for dinner 🙂
Come on down, Deb, and thanks! 🙂
This looks so delicious, Marcie! I used to make homemade marinara all the time and I think it was one of my original blog recipes (but it’s probably in the ‘re-do pictures’ bin at he moment, lol.
I love this recipe and it looks so thick and rich. As soon as it cools down a little, I’m making this. Thanks!
Thank you, Robyn, and I totally understand about having photos in the “re-do bin”! haha
I have a garlic allergy. Suggestions for replacements?
Simply omitting the garlic would be fine.
This was so easy and tastes great! I didn’t change a thing. Thank you!
Thank you for leaving your feedback Robin and I’m so glad you enjoyed the sauce! 🙂