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Sauces and Dressings · Vegetarian

Homemade Marinara Sauce with Fresh Basil

This Homemade Marinara Sauce with fresh basil is quick to make and delicious. It's perfect tossed with pasta or in your favorite Italian recipes. homemade marinara sauce My homemade marinara sauce has been on my pile of recipes to add…

  • Prep10 minutes
  • Cook15 minutes
  • Total25 minutes
  • Serves3
  • Calories88 kcal
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Homemade Marinara Sauce with Fresh Basil

This Homemade Marinara Sauce with fresh basil is quick to make and delicious. It's perfect tossed with pasta or in your favorite Italian recipes.

pot of marinara with fresh basil

homemade marinara sauce

My homemade marinara sauce has been on my pile of recipes to add to my blog for longer than I can remember. It's one of those recipes that everyone should have in their cooking repertoire. It makes preparing Italian recipes a breeze. Along with my Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce, it's one I make on repeat.

Homemade Marinara Sauce with Fresh Basil is my #1, all-time easy Italian tomato sauce. I always have a quart or 2 in the fridge or freezer. Toss it with pasta. Layer with noodles and ricotta for a simple lasagna. Tuck it between crispy breaded eggplant along with mozzarella for eggplant Parmesan. Even cook mussels in marinara sauce for a unforgettable dinner.

sauteing onions and a can of crushed tomatoes

ingredients in homemade marinara sauce

Marinara sauce is a simple Italian tomato sauce with just a few ingredients. Most of them are already in your pantry. Don't skip the fresh basil. It gives the sauce a light, bright flavor.

  • extra virgin olive oil
  • onion
  • garlic
  • canned crushed tomatoes
  • fresh basil
  • red pepper flakes
  • kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
lots of fresh basil for marinara sauce

Personal chef tips for making marinara from scratch

  • Chop the onions in small dice. The small pieces will melt into the sauce as it simmers.
  • Garlic cooks quickly. After the onions sauté for about 4 to 5 minutes, add the garlic. Give it a quick sauté ~ just for a minute. If the garlic overcooks, it tastes bitter and unpleasant.
  • Add the fresh basil either chopped or as the whole stalk. It is a matter of personal preference. If you like marinara sauce with flecks of basil, add it thinly sliced. If you like just the taste of basil without the leaves, pull out the stalk before serving.
  • In a pinch, substitute 1 teaspoon of dried basil for the fresh basil.
  • Make a double batch. Homemade marinara sauce with basil freezes beautifully.
marinara sauce in container for freezer

Homemade Marinara Sauce with Fresh Basil

This Homemade Marinara Sauce with Fresh Basil is quick to make and delicious. Perfect tossed with pasta or use it in your favorite Italian recipes.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium onion (chopped, about ¾ cup)
  • 3 garlic cloves (chopped)
  • 1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 - 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • pinch of red pepper flakes
  • 8 - 10 basil leaves (either chopped or left on the stalk)

Instructions

  1. 1

    In a medium sized saucepan over medium heat, add the olive oil.

  2. 2

    When the oil is heated and begins to shimmer, add the onion. Saute for 4 to 5 minutes or until the onions are translucent.

  3. 3

    Add the garlic. Saute for 1 minute.

  4. 4

    Add the tomatoes, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, a pinch of red pepper flakes, and the basil.

  5. 5

    Stir to combine the ingredients.

  6. 6

    Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.

  7. 7

    Season to taste with kosher salt. I add up to 2 teaspoons of salt to the recipe.

Notes

  • Chop the onions in small dice. The small pieces will melt into the sauce as it simmers.
  • Garlic cooks quickly. After the onions saute for about 4 to 5 minutes, add the garlic. Give it a quick saute ~ just for a minute. If the garlic overcooks, it tastes bitter and unpleasant.
  • Add the fresh basil either chopped or as the whole stalk. It is a matter of personal preference. If you like marinara sauce with flecks of basil, add it thinly sliced. If you like just the taste of basil without the leaves, pull out the stalk before serving.
  • In a pinch, substitute 1 teaspoon of dried basil for the fresh basil.
  • Make a double batch. Homemade marinara sauce with basil freezes beautifully.

Nutrition

  • Serving1 /2 cup
  • Calories88 kcal
  • Carbohydrates11.1 g
  • Protein3 g
  • Fat4 g
  • Saturated Fat0.6 g
  • Sodium552 mg
  • Fiber4 g
  • Sugar7 g

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