Go Back
–+ servings
simple homemade marinara sauce on top of vegan gnocchi

Simple Homemade Marinara Sauce

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 55kcal
Author: Connie 🥕
How to make an easy and delicious simple homemade marinara sauce
Print Recipe
US Customary - Metric

Equipment

Ingredients

  • ½ yellow onion medium - diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 28 oz whole or crushed tomatoes canned
  • 3 oz tomato paste about 5 tablespoon or ½ 6 oz can
  • 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar

Instructions

  • Pour olive oil into saucepan and place on stove over medium-high heat.
  • Add onions and garlic, stir frequently, be careful not to let them burn. Reduce heat to medium.
  • Add tomatoes. If using whole tomatoes, crush apart with a spoon or fork before cooking.
  • Stir in tomato paste.
  • Stir in balsamic vinegar.
  • Stir in salt.
  • Stir in half the sugar. Taste. Add more if needed.
  • Cover pot with lid. Reduce heat to low and allow sauce to simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • That's it! Your marinara is ready to use.

Notes

🥕I love this sauce just as it is, but if you want to bump up the flavor, you could add:
  • Fresh or dried basil
  • Fresh or dried oregano
  • Dried Italian seasoning
  • Bay leaves
  • Red pepper flakes
I suggest adding dried seasonings while the onions and garlic are cooking. Fresh ingredients should be added at the end. Remove bay leaves before serving.
🥕Marinara sauce is delicious served on pizza, pasta, breadsticks, vegan meatballs, veggie burgers, as a dip for fried potatoes, zucchini or other veggies.
🥕Oil-free option If you prefer not to use oil, begin cooking onions and garlic in 2 tablespoon of water. Add more if needed.
🥕 We like to add a bit of sugar to offset the acidity of the tomatoes. Other options you could use are maple syrup, agave nectar or date paste.
🥕Store extra sauce refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 55kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 300mg | Potassium: 315mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 278IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe? I love to see your photos!Mention @thecarrotunderground or tag #thecarrotunderground!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you’ve enjoyed this recipe, please rate it in the comments below. Sharing your experience helps others decide if they should give it a try too. Thanks a bunch!🥕