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A plate of spaghetti topped with tomato sauce, chopped herbs, and grated cheese, with a fork and spoon on the sides.
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4.59 from 307 ratings

Homemade Marinara Sauce with Fresh Tomatoes

This homemade marinara sauce is made from scratch with fresh tomatoes, garlic, and herbs—no cans needed! A top-rated recipe with hundreds of five-star reviews.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Dips, Sauces, and Salsas, Pastas
Cuisine: Italian
Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free, Halal, Hindu, Kosher, Low Calorie, Low Fat, Low Lactose, Low Salt, Vegan, Vegetarian
Keyword: fresh tomato marinara, homemade marinara sauce, marinara sauce recipe, tomato sauce recipe
Diet: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Low Carb, Paleo, Vegetarian
Time: 45 minutes or less
Servings: 8 servings
Author: Sarah Bond

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbsp olive oil 15 mL
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 5 fresh tomatoes 1 to 1.5 lbs, diced
  • 2 Tbsp fresh basil finely chopped
  • 2 Tbsp Italian parsley flat leaf parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 Tbsp honey 15 g
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Tomatoes: Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until soft and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and allow to simmer uncovered until tomatoes have mostly broken down, about 25 minutes. Stir often to prevent burning.
    Overhead view of a pan filled with chopped tomatoes and onions being stirred with a wooden spoon on a green surface.
  • Herbs: Stir in remaining ingredients. Continue simmering about 10 minutes.
    A stainless steel pan with tomato sauce, chopped fresh herbs, and a wooden spoon sits on a green surface.
  • Serve: You can serve it like this or puree it in a food processor or blender for a smoother sauce.
    A saucepan with tomato-based pasta sauce containing herbs and vegetables sits on a green surface, next to a bowl of spaghetti and a chopping board with chopped herbs.

Video

Notes

For a vegan option, use maple syrup or granulated sugar instead of honey.
Store leftovers in an airtight container or jar in the fridge for up to 1 week.
To freeze marinara sauce, keep it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, let it thaw in the fridge overnight then reheat on the stove or in the microwave. 

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25cup | Calories: 39kcal | Carbohydrates: 5.6g | Protein: 0.8g | Fat: 1.9g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 151mg | Potassium: 190mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4.2g | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 0.2mg
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