Pasta Marinara with Homemade Tomato Sauce

This easy pasta marinara sauce is rich, flavorful, and ready in less than 20 minutes. It is a simple semi-homemade sauce made with canned tomato sauce and pantry seasonings, making it perfect for busy weeknights, quick pasta dinners, and easy meal prep.

This pasta marinara sauce is delicious served over your favorite noodles, spooned onto spaghetti squash, used as a base for shakshuka, spread over pizza, layered into lasagna, or served warm as a dip for breadsticks. It is a versatile tomato sauce with a bold, comforting flavor, and it comes together with very little effort.

I like to call this a semi-homemade marinara sauce because it starts with canned tomato sauce. Fresh tomatoes can be wonderful when they are in season, but they are not always available year-round, and making a thick tomato sauce completely from scratch can take a long time. Canned tomato sauce gives this recipe a smooth, reliable base so you can get a flavorful sauce on the table quickly.

The seasonings are what make this easy sauce taste homemade. Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper add warmth and depth without requiring chopping, blending, or long simmering. If you want a meat sauce, cooked ground beef can be added, but the marinara is also delicious on its own.

Marinara vs Pasta Sauce?

Marinara sauce is usually a tomato-based sauce with simple seasonings and no meat. Pasta sauce can be thicker, richer, and more heavily flavored, and it may include ingredients such as ground beef or other meats. In everyday cooking, the two terms are often used in similar ways, but marinara is generally the lighter and simpler option.

This recipe sits comfortably between the two. It is easy enough to use as a classic marinara, but it can also be turned into a heartier pasta sauce by adding cooked ground beef. That makes it useful for many different meals, from a quick bowl of spaghetti to baked pasta or a simple dipping sauce.

How to Make Pasta Marinara Sauce

• In a medium pot, combine the canned tomato sauce with the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
• Place the pot over medium heat and warm the sauce, stirring occasionally so it heats evenly.
• Taste the sauce and adjust the salt, pepper, or seasoning if needed.
• If you are adding ground beef, cook it completely in a separate pan first, drain it, and then stir it into the sauce.
• Serve the warm marinara over pasta, spaghetti squash, or any dish that needs a quick tomato sauce.

How Do You Thicken Spaghetti Sauce?

If your sauce is thinner than you like, let it simmer a little longer so some of the liquid can reduce. You can also make a cornstarch slurry by mixing 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water, then stirring it into the sauce and heating until it thickens.

One of the best things about this recipe is that it usually does not need much thickening. Since it starts with canned tomato sauce, the texture is already smooth and saucy. A short simmer is often enough to bring the flavors together and create a delicious coating for pasta.

What to Do with Marinara Sauce Besides Pasta?

Marinara sauce is useful for much more than noodles. Use it for shakshuka, spoon it over cooked spaghetti squash, or save leftovers for pizza sauce. It can also be layered into lasagna, used with stuffed zucchini appetizers, or served warm as a dip for breadsticks.

This quick tomato sauce is also helpful when you need a simple base for a meal. Because it uses basic pantry ingredients, it is easy to make without a special grocery trip. Keep the sauce meatless for a classic marinara, or add cooked ground beef when you want a more filling sauce.

How Much Marinara Sauce Per Pound of Pasta?

A common rule of thumb is to use about one 24-ounce jar of sauce for 1 pound of pasta. You can use a little less if you prefer lightly coated noodles, or a little more if you like your pasta extra saucy. This recipe makes enough sauce for several servings, so it works well for family dinners or leftovers.

How to Store Leftover Pasta Sauce

Store leftover pasta marinara sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. Let the sauce cool before storing it, then reheat it gently on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through. If the sauce thickens after chilling, stir in a small splash of water while reheating.

Can You Freeze Marinara Sauce?

Yes, leftover marinara sauce can be frozen for several months. Freezing it in small portions makes it easier to thaw only what you need for a quick meal. Once thawed, reheat the sauce until hot and stir well before serving.

If you enjoy easy homemade recipes, this pasta marinara sauce is a great one to keep in your regular dinner rotation. It is fast, flexible, budget-friendly, and flavorful enough for pasta night without requiring a long simmer or fresh tomatoes.

Post updated 9/28/2022.