Table of Contents
- Key Takeaways
- Why You’ll Love This Easy Recipe
- Behind the Sauce: A Simple Comfort Food Staple
- How This Recipe Elevates Dinner Recipes
- Quick and Easy Recipes Begin with Pantry Staples
- Serving Ideas for Sweet and Savory Dishes
- Helpful Notes & Tips
Key Takeaways
This easy marinara sauce recipe is simple, quick to make, and full of bold, classic Italian flavor. Perfect for pasta, dipping, or meal prep, it’s a go-to for busy nights and comfort food cravings.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Recipe
If you’re anything like me, you’ve searched high and low for easy recipes that don’t skimp on flavor. This homemade marinara is the answer. With only a handful of ingredients, most of which are pantry staples, it comes together in 30 minutes and makes any meal feel like a homemade Italian feast. At Betty Cooks, I always believe simplicity and taste should go hand in hand—and this dish proves it.

Behind the Sauce: A Simple Comfort Food Staple
Easy recipes like this marinara sauce are what comfort food is all about—satisfying, familiar, and deeply flavorful. The rich aroma of garlic and tomatoes simmering on the stove instantly fills your kitchen with a cozy, homestyle vibe. Whether you’re making spaghetti, lasagna, or homemade pretzels soft easy recipes style for dipping, this versatile sauce has your back.

How This Recipe Elevates Dinner Recipes
This sauce transforms the simplest dinner recipes into something special. Pair it with classic spaghetti or use it as a bold pizza base. Even when you’re short on time, having this marinara in your back pocket makes it easy to whip up satisfying recipes for dinner the whole family will love.

Quick and Easy Recipes Begin with Pantry Staples
What makes this recipe one of my favorite quick and easy recipes is that it doesn’t require a grocery run. Olive oil, garlic, crushed tomatoes—these are the humble ingredients that bring this sauce to life. It’s a great food receipt easy recipes moment where a few ingredients shine when cooked just right.
Serving Ideas for Sweet and Savory Dishes
This sauce may be traditional, but it’s also incredibly flexible. Beyond pasta, try it with eggplant Parmesan, meatball subs, or even as a dip for cheesy breadsticks. It even complements sweet easy recipes by balancing out rich or creamy mains with its tangy, tomato-forward flavor.
Helpful Notes & Tips
Want to make it your own? Add fresh basil at the end for brightness, or throw in a splash of red wine for deeper flavor. This sauce freezes beautifully, making it ideal for busy weeknights or meal prep Sundays. Keep a jar on hand—you never know when easy recipes like this will come in clutch.


Easy Homemade Marinara Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cans (15 ounces each) crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or basil (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, basil, oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
- Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook uncovered for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Adjust seasoning to taste and garnish with fresh herbs before serving.
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