The most basic of recipes in a Mediterranean household is a fresh, 20 minute tomato marinara sauce. Every person has their own way of preparing it, making it a recipe that can be continually adjusted for taste or season. A simple tomato marinara sauce can be used for so many things besides pasta. You can toss seafood in it for a light meal or use it to braise down a slow cooking meat. You can toss vegetables in a bowl of marinara and enjoy it with a piece of bread. The possibilities are endless!

What kinds of tomatoes should I use for fresh marinara sauce?

You should use any tomato that has a dense interior – that is, little to no pulp. A popular recommendation is a San Marzano tomato, but those can be expensive. For more common preparations, use Roma tomatoes or Tomatoes on the Vine. For a more delicate preparation, use cherry or grape tomatoes when they are in season.

Can you used canned tomatoes? Sure, but then you are looking at a denser sauce that requires more cooking time. If you are in a pinch, use canned whole plum tomatoes and break them down with your hands into smaller chunks.

How should I season fresh tomato marinara sauce?

The simplest seasoning includes salt (preferably coarse sea salt), pepper, garlic, basil, and parsley. Do I need to mention a good helping of the best olive oil you can find? 🙂

For more savory sauces, you can add oregano, rosemary, or thyme. Consider what the sauce is being paired with and choose your herbs accordingly. Fish, seafood, and poultry do well with oregano while red meat does well with rosemary. For simple pasta dishes, stick to basil and parsley.

How long should I cook marinara sauce?

This depends on the tomato and preparation. The fresher the tomato, the less time it should cook otherwise you are in danger of losing the flavor. If you are looking for an exact number, the best I can do for you is a range of 10 – 20 minutes. *If using canned whole tomatoes, simmer for at least 30 minutes to get rid of the tanginess.

Watch how I prepare a simple fresh tomato marinara sauce for some raviolis in the video below, straight from the timestamp!

Fresh Tomato Marinara Sauce

best enjoyed with a bowl of pasta!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Course Main Course, pasta

Cuisine Italian, Mediterranean

Ingredients

  

• extra virgin olive oil
• salt and pepper
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 onion, chopped
• 4-6 fresh tomatoes( more if you'd like), chopped or 1 28 oz can of whole peeled plum tomatoes
• handful basil and parsley, chopped

Instructions

 

• Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
• Add in garlic and onion. Stir occasionally to avoid burning. Sprinkle with salt to help cook down.
• Add in chopped tomatoes and stir. Season with more salt and pepper.
• Add in the basil and parsley and stir until well incorporated.
• Cover and simmer on low until tomatoes become a sauce.

If using canned whole peeled plum tomatoes

• Break up the tomatoes by hand in a large bowl.
• Follow the same steps, except season with more salt and simmer for at least 30 minutes.

Keyword fresh tomato marinara sauce, marinara sauce, tomato marinara

Did you make this recipe? Tell us how you like your marinara in the comments below!