Simple Italian tomato sauce with garlic and basil
Classic Marinara Sauce
Classic Marinara Sauce
35 minEasy
Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
30 min
Total Time
35 min
Servings
6
3 cups
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Budget
$
Classic Marinara Sauce
Simple Italian tomato sauce with garlic and basil
A vibrant, quick-simmered tomato sauce made with San Marzano tomatoes, garlic, and fresh basil. This versatile marinara is the foundation for countless Italian dishes.
5m
Prep Time
30m
Cook Time
35m
Total Time
6
Servings
Easy
Difficulty
Budget $
Cost
Sarah Chen
(Updated )
Great marinara relies on quality tomatoes and restraint—let the tomatoes shine with just garlic, olive oil, and basil. Thirty minutes of simmering concentrates the flavors beautifully.
Ingredients
- 1 can (28 oz) whole San Marzano tomatoes
- 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- 1
Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat and sauté garlic until just golden, about 1 minute.
- 2
Add red pepper flakes and cook 15 seconds until fragrant.
- 3
Crush tomatoes by hand and add to the pan with their juices. Season with salt.
- 4
Simmer uncovered over medium-low heat for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 5
Remove from heat, stir in fresh basil, and adjust seasoning before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Ways to Serve This Dish
Serve with crusty artisan bread for dipping
Finish with a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil
Pair with a simple arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette
Substitutions
San Marzano tomatoesAny quality canned whole tomatoes
Look for low-sodium varieties
Fresh basilDried basil (1 tsp)
Add dried basil during simmering, not at the end
DepthPantry
Test Kitchen Pick
Olive Oil
Helpful Pantry Staple
Why the olive oil matters
On recipes like this, olive oil is not just a background fat. A better bottle gives you cleaner flavor and a better finish.
This is one of the few pantry upgrades that keeps paying off every time you cook in this lane.
- Useful in dressings, sauces, and finishing
- Improves flavor without changing the recipe structure
A good bottle of olive oil is one of the safest pantry upgrades for Mediterranean and Italian cooking.
Shop olive oil for this recipeTips & Storage
Pro Tips
San Marzano tomatoes make a noticeable difference in sweetness and flavor.
Add a parmesan rind while simmering for extra depth—remove before serving.
Storage
Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Freezes for up to 3 months.
Reheating
Warm over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (0mg) · 6 servings
Calories90
LowModerateHigh
A light, low-calorie option · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Protein1g
Carbohydrates7g
Fat6g
Fiber320mg
Sugar2g
Sodium3g
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use crushed tomatoes?
- Yes, though whole tomatoes hand-crushed give a better texture.
- How do I reduce acidity?
- Add a pinch of sugar or a grated carrot while simmering.
Explore More
About Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
View all recipes →Some product links on this page may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate RecipePool earns from qualifying purchases.
You Might Also Like
Medium
Italian
Bolognese Sauce
3h 15m8 servings
View Recipe
Bolognese Sauce
3h 15m•Medium
Vegetarian
Easy
Italian
Alfredo Sauce
15 min4 servings
View Recipe
Alfredo Sauce
15 min•Easy
VegetarianGluten-Free
Easy
Italian
Pesto Genovese
10 min8 servings
View Recipe
Pesto Genovese
10 min•Easy
Easy
Italian
Homemade Pizza Rolls
32 min8 servings
View Recipe
Homemade Pizza Rolls
32 min•Easy