15 Minute Marinara Sauce

This super simple 4-ingredient marinara sauce was created while on vacation in Costa Rica. Perfect for garden fresh tomatoes and a minimal kitchen!

Have you ever been totally out of your element – have no clue what to do, where to go, or even how to ask for help – yet still had to function like a normal person?

That’s how I felt one year when my family and I went on a vacation we had spent SIX years saving for. We went to Costa Rica, where my four years of Spanish (10+ years rusty) were put to the ultimate reality test. They don’t teach you how to grocery shop in Spanish class!

Grocery shopping (and converting currency!) was half the battle. Knowing how to cook the food was another. There were no cookbooks, no recipes, no nothing showing me how to put together the ingredients we just bought.

My typical kitchen appliances were also limited. No mixer, no rolling pin, no high-powered blender. Everything we made was from memory or made up on the spot, with the spoons and spatulas we had on hand.

I was VERY fortunate that my recipe for Homemade Tortillas is burned in my brain, as is the one for Oven Roasted Whole Chicken, making Crispy Potato Wedges, and Pan-Seared Broccoli.

However, how to make marinara sauce from scratch (without a crockpot) isn’t something I remember so easily!

That’s how this TOTALLY EASY homemade marinara sauce was born.

HOMEMADE MARINARA SAUCE RECIPE

Now, you might be wondering what makes this homemade marinara sauce recipe so good, and yet different from all the other homemade.pasta sauces in the world, and why you should make this EASY red sauce recipe instead of your typical favorite sauce.

• It’s simple (only 4 ingredients, plus salt and pepper)
• Healthy
• Perfect for a busy weeknight meal
• Fast (ready in the time it takes to boil the pasta)
• It’s DELICIOUS
• No fancy cooking skills are required
• Super frugal
• Easy to double (or triple) for company (or school lunches)

It also uses fresh tomatoes, whereas many other homemade marinara sauce recipes use jarred or canned tomatoes. It’s perfect for the end of summer when you are picking tomatoes off your plants 50 or so at a time, and they keep showing up in your CSA box too.

I kinda feel silly posting this SIMPLE recipe, but I know that many readers struggle in the kitchen and need recipes, no matter how simple they may be. So here I am, typing it up while trying to reassure you that this is quite possibly the easiest homemade sauce for spaghetti you’ll ever make.

You just might swear off the jarred marinara sauce during the summer, it’s that good!

INGREDIENTS FOR FRESH TOMATO RED SAUCE RECIPE

• Spaghetti Pasta (use gluten free pasta if needed)
• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
• Onion
• Garlic Cloves, minced
• Fresh Diced Tomatoes
• Salt
• Pepper

No sugar or multiple herbs (although you can add herbs like parsley, fresh basil leaves, or dried oregano if you’d like or even red pepper flakes for a little kick!), and no long simmering on the stovetop make this a quick and easy recipe!

HOW TO MAKE MARINARA SAUCE RECIPE

The instructions are SIMPLE and QUICK! Your prep time is 5 minutes, and the cooking time is 10 minutes, so you’re looking at a total time of less than 20 minutes!

Step 1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions.

Step 2. Meanwhile, using a cast iron skillet or large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat and add the onions and garlic. Cook until translucent, for about 4 minutes. Add diced tomatoes and allow the vegetables to cook for about 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 3. Using a wooden spoon, squish any large pieces of tomatoes to create crushed tomatoes. You want the sauce to be slightly chunky, but without any significantly large pieces.

Note: If you want your homemade pasta sauce to be more of a paste, you can blend or crush the tomatoes more.

Step 4. Drain the pasta when it’s done. Add it to the marinara sauce and stir with tongs until well coated.

Step 5. Serve hot, adding additional salt and pepper to taste.

Store leftover marinara sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 4 months.

MARINARA SAUCE RECIPE TIPS

• Since the flavor of this dish relies heavily on quality fresh tomatoes, I don’t recommend using tomatoes in the off-season or canned tomatoes unless you’ve canned them yourself. It just wouldn’t be the same. If you’re in a pinch, you could get away with San Marzano tomatoes. Their plum tomatoes are the closest to fresh.
• As for the garlic and onion, I haven’t tried using granulated versions of either. You can certainly increase the quantity of both, though, if you like more onion and more garlic in your pasta.
• For meaty spaghetti sauce, brown some ground beef, add it to the sauce, and mix. Or try this Meaty Spaghetti Sauce Recipe.
• If you have fresh herbs on hand, adding a handful of fresh basil really brings this marinara sauce over the top!

SERVE HOMEMADE MARINARA SAUCE WITH

Ladle marinara over your favorite pasta – spaghetti, fettucine, or even rotini work great! Or cook Spaghetti Squash in the Instant Pot for bonus veggies and a gluten-free dinner.

This homemade marinara sauce pairs wonderfully with 15-Minute Italian Meatballs and Garlic Cheese Bread for an easy and delicious Italian dinner!

You can also use this easy marinara sauce in other Italian recipes, like this Slow Cooker Meatless Lasagna or Easy Baked Ziti.

HOMEMADE PASTA SAUCE FAQS

MORE SIMPLE ITALIAN RECIPES

• Homemade Italian Sausage
• Easy Italian Pasta Salad
• Zesty Italian Dressing
• 15-Minute Italian Meatballs
• Best Minestrone Soup

WATCH HOW TO MAKE 15 MINUTE MARINARA SAUCE