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Homemade Marinara Sauce

Skillet of vegan marinara sauce topped with basil leaf.

Prep. Time

20 minutes

Cook Time

20 minutes

Servings

~8oz [240mL] sauce

Difficulty

Easy

Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Soy-Free, dairy-free, egg-free

Stovetop

Cooking required: 

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This marinara sauce is all about letting fresh ingredients do the talking. It’s quick to make, beautifully balanced, and far more vibrant than anything from a jar. Whether you’re tossing it with pasta, spooning it over roasted veggies, or using it as a base for pizza, this sauce brings a clean, bright flavor that elevates every dish it touches.

No fuss, no extras—just a few fresh ingredients cooked with care. Let’s get started.

Ingredients

3 tomatoes (on the vine)

3.5oz (100g) cherry tomatoes (any kind)

1 can (6oz/170g), organic tomato paste

3-4 fresh basil leaves

2 garlic cloves, minced

3 tbsps extra-virgin olive oil

2 tsps salt

1 tsp sugar

Instructions

  • Chop the tomatoes and cut the cherry tomatoes in halves.

  • Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over low-medium heat.

  • Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds, until fragrant (don’t let it brown).

  • Add the tomatoes and cherry tomatoes to the pan. Stir.

  • Add the tomato paste and about 1.7oz/50mL filtered water, and stir well until consistent.

  • Season with salt and sugar.

  • Let the mixture simmer for 15–20 minutes, until the tomatoes break down and the sauce thickens.

  • Tear the basil leaves and stir them into the sauce during the last 2–3 minutes of cooking.

  • Use immediately, or let cool and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Notes

  • The fresh basil can be substituted with 1tsp of dry basil.

  • The tomatoes can be substituted with other kinds, as you prefer, so long as you factor in their natural flavor. If you are choosing a sweeter kind, consider if adding sugar is still needed. If you're using a less juicy kind, perhaps you'll need to add a little water.

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