Super Simple Marinara Sauce

This delicious simple marinara sauce has 7 ingredients. It's oil-free, gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free and vegan.

top side view close up of a wooden spoon full of marinara sauce with the pot of sauce blurred in the background.

This slightly chunky marinara sauce has a rich, deep flavor that can be used with pasta, lasagna, and as a sauce for pizza.

Super Simple Marinara Sauce has 7 key ingredients:

Crushed tomatoes
Diced tomatoes (regular or fire roasted)
Italian seasoning (or oregano)
Crushed red pepper
Onion
Garlic
Simple Homemade Date Syrup

top view of the ingredients used to make marinara sauce: canned tomatoes, dried herbs, onion, garlic and date syrup

How to make this marinara sauce from scratch

Preheat a large pot over medium heat. Dry sauté diced onion for 4 to 5 minutes.

Add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper. Stir to incorporate, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes.

Stir in both of the canned tomatoes. Increase the heat to medium-high to bring the sauce to a gentle boil. Then reduce heat to low and let simmer uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes.

Stir in Simple Homemade Date Syrup, and turn off the heat. Salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy with your favorite pasta dish or as a sauce for pizza.

This tomato sauce keeps well in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to four days or freezer for up to four months.

top view of diced onions being added to the pot — 1. preheat a large pot over medium heat; then add diced onion and cook for 4 to 5 minutes

top view of minced garlic being added to the pot — 2. add minced garlic

top view of dried spices being added to the pot with onion and garlic — 3. add dried seasonings and stir to incorporate; cook for 1 to 2 minutes

top view of canned tomatoes being added to the pot with onion, garlic and spices — 4. add in tomatoes

top view of marinara in a pot on the stove being stirred with a wooden spoon — 5. stir well to incorporate; increase the heat to medium high and bring to a gentle boil; reduce heat to simmer and cook uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes

top view of date syrup being added to the simmering marinara sauce — 6. add Simple Homemade Date syrup; stir to incorporate and turn off the heat

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between spaghetti sauce and marinara sauce

There's not much of a difference. Some say that spaghetti sauce has meat, while marinara does not. However, they're generally used interchangeably. The difference between this marinara sauce recipe and the vegan spaghetti sauce recipe is that this recipe has more chunks of tomatoes and veggies.

How do you store leftovers?

This sauce keeps well in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to four days. This is also a great meal prep sauce because it's freezer friendly. Put marinara sauce in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to four months—thaw in the refrigerator and reheat on the stove or microwave.

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top view close up of a wooden spoon dishing up some marinara sauce from a pot on the stove

We hope you love this marinara sauce recipe as much as we do. Please rate and leave a comment below. Be sure to share a picture on Instagram and tag us @danielsplaterecipes so we can see your creation!

top view close up of a wooden spoon scooping up some marinara sauce from a pot

Super Simple Marinara Sauce

5 from 1 vote

Course: Sauces

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 35

Total Time: 50

Servings:

Calories: 82kcal

Author: Gigi & Sersie

Print Pin Rate

This super simple marinara sauce can be used as a base for Veggie Pizza, or the main sauce for a Simple Pasta Marinara, Spaghetti Ragu with Meatballs, Stuffed Peppers, or whatever else you may use a marinara sauce for.

Ingredients

▢ 1 cup diced onion
▢ 3 cloves garlic minced
▢ 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
▢ ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
▢ 1-28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
▢ 1-28 oz. can diced tomatoes fire roasted or regular
▢ 1 Tbsp Simple Homemade Date Syrup
▢ Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat a large pot over medium heat. Dry sauté diced onion for 4 to 5 minutes.
Add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper. Stir to incorporate, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes.
Stir in both of the canned tomatoes. Increase the heat to medium-high to bring the sauce to a gentle boil. Then reduce heat to low and let simmer uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes.
Stir in Simple Homemade Date Syrup, and turn off the heat. Salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy with your favorite pasta dish or as a sauce for pizza.

Notes

Leftovers/Meal Prep: This tomato sauce keeps well in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to four days or in the freezer for up to four months.

Nutrition

Did You Make This Recipe?Share a photo and tag us @danielsplaterecipes — we can't wait to see what you've made!

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