Garden Marinara Sauce
A vibrant, savory marinara sauce bursting with fresh tomatoes, garlic, and herbs, perfect for pasta lovers seeking a wholesome, flavorful meal.
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil ⓘ
- 1 small onion, diced ⓘ
- 2 cloves garlic, minced ⓘ
- 1 (14 oz.) can chopped tomatoes ⓘ
- 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce ⓘ
- 1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste ⓘ
- 1 tsp. sugar ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. oregano ⓘ
- 1 tsp. basil ⓘ
- 6 medium mushrooms, sliced ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. crushed red peppers ⓘ
- 7 sun-dried tomatoes, soaked in boiling water 2 minutes ⓘ
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a medium-sized pan.
- Add diced onion and sauté for 2 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
- Add chopped tomatoes and tomato sauce; heat to boiling.
- Add tomato paste and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in sugar, oregano, basil, crushed red peppers, salt, sun-dried tomatoes, and sliced mushrooms.
- Simmer for an additional 15 minutes and serve over your favorite noodles.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a splash of red wine while the sauce simmers. If you're out of fresh herbs, dried versions work well—just use a third of the amount. For a twist, try incorporating some grated carrots or zucchini for added nutrition. This sauce is versatile and can be adjusted to personal taste, making it a great base for various Italian recipes.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this garden marinara sauce over your favorite pasta, such as spaghetti or penne. It pairs beautifully with garlic bread and a fresh salad for a complete meal. You can also use it as a sauce for pizza or in dishes like Mostaccioli With Tomatoes. For a vegan twist, serve it with roasted vegetables or a side of grilled eggplant.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover marinara sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months; just allow it to cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe bags or containers. To reheat, gently warm it on the stove or microwave until heated through, adding a splash of water if it thickens too much.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Garden Marinara Sauce contains roughly 692 calories, with 20g protein, 100g carbohydrates, and 27g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (61% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (60% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (48% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2823mg per serving (123% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this sauce ahead of time?
Absolutely! This marinara sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge or freezer. In fact, letting it sit for a day improves the flavors as they meld together. Just reheat it gently when you're ready to serve.
How can I make this sauce spicier?
To increase the heat, add more crushed red peppers or a dash of cayenne pepper during cooking. You can also consider adding some finely chopped fresh chili or a pinch of chili flakes. Adjust to your preferred spice level for the best results.
What can I use instead of sun-dried tomatoes?
If you don't have sun-dried tomatoes, you can substitute with roasted red peppers for a similar sweet flavor or use fresh tomatoes for a lighter, fresher taste. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time as fresh tomatoes may need longer to break down into the sauce.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).