Marinara Sauce

When it comes to cooking, there are a few recipes everyone should have a go-to for. I’ve always felt that having an authentic marinara sauce in your back pocket is a must.

This San Marzano marinara sauce is a classic you’ll want to memorize, or at the very least, bookmark as a favorite. The ingredients are simple and the preparation is rustic – making it the perfect complement to flavorful Italian dishes.

The Only Marinara Sauce You’ll Ever Need

Good marinara sauce can take you beyond Italian cuisine, and can carry you into the territory of other dishes. This recipe is so versatile and easy to prepare, I find myself using it in a lot of my favorite recipes, including:

The sauce base for my Hearty Vegan Meatloaf recipe
A mellow tomato flavor in Shakshuka Sauce
An authentic red sauce for vegan pasta dishes
The perfect base for stews and soups like this Stewed Butter Beans dish

All you need is 8 ingredients to create this rich and hearty marinara sauce. What I love most about this easy marinara sauce recipe is that it’s a no-fuss recipe that can be adjusted to your taste preferences. Like things a little spicier? Turn up the heat. Want a richer tomato taste? Omit the addition of flavored stock. The options are endless.

How To Make Marinara Sauce

To cook the marinara sauce, place a large pot on the stove at medium heat. Pour enough extra virgin olive oil to cover the bottom of the pot and let it heat up. When hot, add the onions and cook until translucent. Next, add the fresh garlic and mix with the onions. Then add the San Marzano tomatoes and stir.

At this time, add the fresh basil, season with salt and pepper and mix everything together. Allow to stew for 15 minutes. You’ll notice the tomatoes will start to release a rich aroma as it begins to break down. To speed up the process, mash the tomatoes with a wooden spatula.

After the tomatoes have stewed, add the 16 oz. of flavored stock or water to the pot. Lower the heat to a low setting. This will give the sauce time to simmer and develop serious flavor. Stir occasionally for the next 25-30 minutes so that the sauce does not burn or stick to the bottom of the pan.

When the sauce is finished, remove off the heat and use an emulsion hand blender to create a smooth marinara sauce. If you prefer a chunky and rustic sauce then skip this step altogether.

If you’re looking for authentic San Marzano Tomatoes look for “Pomodoro San Marzano Dell’Agro Sarnese Nocerino” on the label.

Make this versatile marinara sauce when you want to add authentic Italian flavors to any meal. Some of my favorites include Zucchini Parmigiana and this Meatball Sub Recipe.

If you recreate this recipe, leave a rating below and don’t forget to tag @PlantBasedDogGuy on Instagram!

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