The ease and convenience of store-bought marinara sauce may be hard to beat, but with only 30 minutes you can make this Classic Marinara Sauce that contains no added sugar or preservatives, and it's overflowing with love, unlike those jarred sauces.

I may not be of Italian ethnicity, but in spirit, I'm all about channeling my inner Lidia Bastianich.
Not that this recipe is Lidia's, because it's not. It is 100% my own, and it's my go-to tomato sauce for all things Italian.
Jump to:
The ingredient list:
- 3 - 28 ounce cans tomato puree
- 1 - 28 ounce can petite diced tomatoes
- tomato paste
- shallots
- light-colored oil (canola or grapeseed)
- extra virgin olive oil
- Worcestershire sauce
- dried basil
- dried oregano
- Parmesan cheese rind (optional)
- salt and pepper
Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- large stockpot
- chef's knife
- cutting board
- measuring spoons
- can opener
- wooden spoons
- air-tight containers for storage
Why this recipe works:
You can use this homemade red sauce for all of your favorite Italian dishes.
You can whip up a big batch and then divide what you've made for all kinds of sauce-based dishes such as lasagna, pizza, spaghetti, chicken, veal Parmesan, and ravioli just to name a few.
How long will it take to make this classic marinara sauce?
About 30 minutes is all it will take.
You can simmer it longer than that on the stovetop if you'd like, but there is really no need.
Can this sauce be frozen?
Yes!
This sauce freezes extremely well when stored tightly in a freezer container (up to 2-3 months), or you can store it tightly sealed in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
Recipes using this homemade marinara sauce:
*Cheese Stuffed Arancini di Risa (cheese-stuffed rice balls, pictured below)
Pan-Fried Mozzarella Cheese Stuffed Rice Balls are crunchy on the outside, creamy on the inside, and stuffed with lots of melted cheese! What’s not to love?
*Layered Zucchini Parmesan (pictured below)
Layered Zucchini Parmesan has all the flavors you love about pizza or lasagna but without all those annoying carbs to weigh you down.
*Pepperoni Pizza Mac and Cheese (pictured below)
For those times when you can’t decide what to make for dinner, I suggest you whip up this Pizza Mac & Cheese. It’s a cross between two of your favorite things... pizza, and mac and cheese. Your family will thank you!
*Eggplant and Zucchini Lasagna (pictured below)
You'll never miss the noodles in this Eggplant and Zucchini Lasagna! Plus, it's super easy to put together and can feed a hungry crowd! It can be made with or with or without sausage, but either way it's a very substantial and hearty meal.
The easy instructions for making classic marinara:
- Mince two large shallots, and garlic, sauté them in a bit of olive oil in a large stockpot over medium heat.
- Add 1 teaspoon dried basil, and 1 teaspoon dried oregano.
- Saute for 3-4 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to low and add 3 cans (28 ounces) tomato puree, 1 can (28 ounces) petite diced tomatoes, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, and a chunk of the rind of a block of Parmesan cheese (optional but adds amazing flavor).
- Finally, add 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 2 teaspoons dried basil, and 2 teaspoons dried oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer (partially covered) on low for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the rind (if using) and use, or store, the sauce as desired.
The honest truth:
If truth be told, I'm a little nervous to be sharing my recipe for marinara sauce because I have many friends who are hard-core Italians through-and-through, and as I mentioned earlier, I'm not Italian.
However, I am a darned good cook! So, while this may not be a sauce that some people would recognize as authentic Italian, it is one that I'm very proud of and it's the sauce I would be willing to serve anyone of my Italian friends without batting an eye!
When you make this recipe (and I hope that you will), I'd appreciate it if you'd take the time to come back and give it a star rating along with a comment on why you rated as you did. Search engines such as Google appreciate comments and ratings and, in turn, will show my recipes to more people. Please look for the pink star rating box within the printable recipe card. Thank you!!
Printable Recipe Card
Classic Marinara Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 large shallots minced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 teaspoons dried basil divided
- 3 teaspoon dried oregano divided
- 3 cans (28 ounces each) tomato puree
- 1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes with the juice
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3" rind Parmesan cheese optional
- 3 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- In a large stockpot, sauté the shallots and garlic in the oil over medium heat for 1-2 minutes.
- Stir in 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, and the tomato paste. Sauté, stirring occasionally for 2-3 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the tomato purée, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, Parmesan cheese rind (optional), and the salt and pepper.
- Simmer, partially covered, for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Notes
Nutrition
I sincerely hope you've enjoyed my take on a classic Italian marinara sauce as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!
Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen on my site, please don't hesitate to reach out to contact me. It is always my distinct pleasure to get back with you just as soon as I possibly can!
Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you will come back and visit me often. Please know that there is always room for you around my kitchen table!
Follow me across my social media platforms and join in on the conversation: FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, PINTEREST, TIKTOK, YOUTUBE, and my KUDOS KITCHEN AMAZON STORE
Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!
Ashley F says
I think the shallots and the Worcestershire sauce really helps elevate the flavor of this sauce! So good!
Renée says
They both really do! Thanks, Ashley!
Beth says
This looks so delicious! I'm so excited to make my own marinara sauce especially homemade! Thank you!
Renée says
You are welcome, Beth!