Name: Easy Marinara Sauce (Ready in 20 Minutes)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 Servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 0.5 yellow onion; 4 cloves garlic; 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes; 24 ounces passata; 1 tsp fine sea salt; 0.5 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp dried basil; 0.5 tsp dried oregano

Easy Marinara Sauce (Ready in 20 Minutes)

Easy Marinara Sauce (Ready in 20 Minutes) cover

From the Cook

1/8

Easy Marinara Sauce (Ready in 20 Minutes)

Food with Feeling Verified

Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Easy Marinara Sauce (Ready in 20 Minutes)

2 tablespoons olive oil

½ yellow onionfinely diced

4 cloves garlicminced

¼ tsp red pepper flakesoptional

24 ounces passata(can substitute for crushed tomatoes)*

1 tsp fine sea saltplus more to taste

½ tsp black pepper

1 tsp dried basilor 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

½ tsp dried oreganooptional but recommended

Instructions

This recipe also lives on Food with Feeling. Show them some love by checking it out! 😊

Check out original post! 😊

Original PostView

Instructions

Heat the olive oil in a medium pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly translucent. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant.

Pour in the passata (or crushed tomatoes), salt, pepper, basil, and oregano. Stir well to combine. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Let it cook uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. For a deeper flavor, simmer for 30–40 minutes. The longer it cooks, the richer and slightly thicker it becomes!

Taste and add more salt if needed. If using fresh basil, stir it in during the last few minutes of cooking.

Notes

*If using crushed tomatoes instead of passata, expect a slightly more rustic texture. No blending needed.

Storage Instructions – Store leftover marinara sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.

To freeze, let the sauce cool completely and store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Smart Nutrition

My Calorie Intake

0
Review & Earn

Be the first to review this recipe and earn a 20% Bonus

Level up & unlock free Premium by reviewing recipes!

My Notes

Your kitchen notebook is waiting.

Whether it's a recipe tweak or an inspiration burst — jot it down here.

Tips & Tricks (5)

Bloom Your Dried Herbs 🌿
Toast the dried oregano and basil in hot olive oil for 30 seconds before adding garlic to unlock their essential oils and intensify their flavor dramatically.
Caramelize Your Aromatics 🧅
Cook diced onion and minced garlic over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until golden and fragrant, building a rich flavor foundation that elevates the entire sauce.
Salt in Stages ⚖️
Add a pinch of sea salt to the aromatics while cooking, then taste and adjust at the end—this prevents over-salting and ensures balanced seasoning throughout the sauce.
Red Pepper Flakes Technique 🌶️
Bloom red pepper flakes in the hot oil alongside herbs rather than stirring them in later; this distributes heat evenly and prevents harsh, bitter pockets.
Finish with Quality Olive Oil 🫒
Drizzle a high-quality extra virgin olive oil into the finished sauce in the last 30 seconds off heat to add brightness, complexity, and a luxurious silky texture.