• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Chisel & Fork logo

  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • DIY
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • DIY
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    You Are Here: Home → Sauces

    Homemade Marinara Sauce

    May 16, 2021 by Ryan 1 Comment

    273 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    overhead shot of homemade marinara sauce in yellow Dutch oven
    overhead shot of homemade marinara sauce in Dutch oven with wooden spoon dipped in it
    wood spoon dipped in marinara sauce in yellow Dutch Oven

    This homemade marinara sauce recipe with tomatoes, pancetta, onion, garlic and herbs is not your grandma's marinara sauce, but better! Marinara sauce from scratch is tough to bean and it's great for a variety of meals.

    overhead shot of homemade marinara sauce in Dutch oven with wooden spoon dipped in it

    This easy marinara sauce actually came from making one of my favorite dishes - baked turkey meatballs.

    I know I've mentioned this before, but if someone told 15-year-old me that down the road I was going to love marinara sauce so much I'd post about it on a blog, I wouldn't have believed it.

    I was quite the picky eater back in the day and marinara sauce was one of my biggest enemies. It was so bad, if we went to Olive Garden, I'd get pasta with butter - yep you read that right! But luckily I became more adventurous and my taste buds evolved.

    I actually adapted this easy marinara sauce recipe from Anne Burrell when making some meatballs and it's been my go-to sauce ever since. What I love about making a sauce like this, is that it makes so much that I freeze the rest and use for random dishes, whether it's some meatballs or some fried mozzarella.

    To me the pancetta really makes this sauce special. Yes I know most families have their secret sauce that they pass down, but if you're up for trying something new or just looking for a good homemade easy marinara sauce, this one is worth a look.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Ingredient Swaps
    • Step-by-Step Photos
    • FAQs
    • Benefits of Tomatoes
    • Uses for Marinara Sauce
    • Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
    • Other Sauce Recipes
    • Homemade Marinara Sauce
    overhead shot of homemade marinara sauce in yellow Dutch oven

    Ingredient Notes

    • Pancetta - the secret ingredient to this homemade marinara sauce recipe as it adds subtle flavor and additional fat.
    • San Marzano tomatoes - creates a sweet/rich sauce with an intense tomato flavor.
    • Herbs - I use dried herbs for the ease of it as you normally have them in your pantry.
    • Parmesan rind - adds a slightly nutty flavor to the sauce.

    Ingredient Swaps

    Like any recipe, you can mix up the ingredients. Some variations include:

    • While I like pancetta, prosciutto is a good substitute. You can use bacon in a pinch too.
    • San Marzano tomatoes are generally what is used is tomato sauces, but you can use tomato puree or crushed tomatoes.
    • I always have Parmesan rinds in the freezer, but Pecorino Romano rind works or even some freshly shave Parmesan.

    Step-by-Step Photos

    process shots of how to make homemade marinara sauce

    Cook the pancetta in a pot with olive oil for 4-5 minutes before adding the onion and cooking another 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute or 2.

    Then stir in the tomatoes, herbs, salt, pepper and Parmesan rind. Cover and reduce to simmer, cooking for 2-3 hours. Taste for seasoning and remove rind before using.

    FAQs

    What is Marinara Sauce?

    Marinara sauce is a simple tomato sauce that uses a few ingredients - usually tomatoes, garlic, onion and seasonings. While not traditional, I up the flavor by adding some diced pancetta.

    Why Use San Marzano Tomatoes?

    Because they're the best!. These tomatoes give your sauce a thicker consistency while also being sweeter, richer, and less acidic in flavor.

    Why Use Parmesan Rind?

    It kicks up the flavor of the sauce by infusing it with extra umami. If you haven't tried it, give it a try and you'll never go back.

    How to Store?

    When I make marinara sauce I usually make big batches so I place in freezer bags and then stack in the freezer for later use. It will last up to 6 months. You can also pour the sauce in ice cube trays for smaller portion sizes.

    If using immediately, just store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

    Benefits of Tomatoes

    Luckily if you are a big fan of tomatoes, and eat them raw, cooked or in a sauce, there are plenty of benefits:

    • Rich in vitamins - just one tomato supplies 40% of vitamin C needed for the day.
    • Help digestion - the high fiber and fluid from a tomato can improve digestion.
    • Improve vision - tomatoes are high in lycopene, which is good for your eyes.
    • Manages diabetes - helps decrease lipid peroxidation, which is associated with diabetes.

    Uses for Marinara Sauce

    There are so many uses for tomato sauce - from pasta to pizza. Some of the recipes you can use the homemade marinara sauce for include:

    • Homemade Meatballs
    • Meat Lasagna
    • Italian Braciole
    • Breaded Chicken Parmesan

    Pro Tips/Recipe Notes

    • Do not skip cooking the pancetta, as it gives the sauce added flavor.
    • If you can’t find tomato puree, San Marzano tomatoes will work as well.
    • You can use fresh herbs, but will have to triple the amount for each herb used as dried herbs are much stronger.
    • Don't skip the Parmesan rind. I always save the rinds and put in the freezer to be able to use for recipes just like this. It adds a little nutty flavor that can't be topped.
    • Cook this marinara sauce for at least 2 hours so you can develop the flavors.
    wood spoon dipped in marinara sauce in yellow Dutch Oven

    Other Sauce Recipes

    • Brown Butter Marinara Sauce
    • Easy Mole Sauce
    • Roasted Tomato Sauce
    • Cilantro Chimichurri

    If you’ve tried these homemade marinara sauce recipe or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to.

    overview of easy marinara sauce in yellow le creuset with wooden spoon
    Print Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    Homemade Marinara Sauce

    This marinara sauce recipe with tomatoes, pancetta, onion, garlic and herbs is not your grandma's marinara sauce, but better!
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time3 hrs
    Total Time3 hrs 10 mins
    Course: Sauce
    Cuisine: Italian
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 326kcal
    Author: Ryan Beck

    Ingredients

    • ¼ cup olive oil
    • ⅓ lb diced pancetta
    • 2 large sweet onions, diced
    • 6 garlic cloves, minced
    • 3 (28 oz cans) San Marzano tomatoes
    • 2 tablespoon dried oregano
    • 1 tablespoon dried basil
    • 1 tablespoon dried thyme
    • 1 Parmesan rind
    • salt to taste

    Instructions

    • Heat ¼ cup olive oil in a large sauce pot over medium heat. Add pancetta and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes Add onion and cook for about 7 minutes or until translucent, stirring frequently. Toss in garlic and cook for another 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes.
    • Season with salt and pepper. Add oregano, basil, thyme and Parmesan rind. Cover and reduce to low and cook for 2 to 3 hours. Taste throughout to see if you need to add more salt or herbs. Remove Parmesan rind and use immediately or freeze.

    Notes

    • Do not skip cooking the pancetta, as it gives the sauce added flavor.
    • If you can’t find tomato puree, San Marzano tomatoes will work as well.
    • You can use fresh herbs, but will have to triple the amount for each herb used as dried herbs are much stronger.
    • Don't skip the Parmesan rind. I always save the rinds and put in the freezer to be able to use for recipes just like this. It adds a little nutty flavor that can't be topped.
    • Cook this marinara sauce for at least 2 hours so you can develop the flavors.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cup | Calories: 326kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 385mg | Potassium: 169mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 1350IU | Vitamin C: 30.5mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 4.1mg
    Did You Try This Recipe?I love seeing what you make so mention @ChiselandFork or tag #chiselandfork on Instagram and please give a star rating below!
    « Eggless Chocolate Chip Cookies
    Chicken Paprikash »
    273 shares

    Receive Top 25 Recipes

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Chris says

      December 04, 2018 at 6:35 pm

      5 stars
      Like the idea of pancetta in the sauce!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    About Chisel & Fork

    ryan standing in kitchen

    Hey there! Welcome to Chisel & Fork, a blog with tasty recipes and DIY projects. I'm Ryan and here you'll find hundreds of recipes ranging from true comfort food to vegan. Oh and if you like woodworking, you might just find your next inspiration. Read More About Chisel & Fork…

    Get Your Free Copy of My Top 25 Most Popular Recipes

    title page of ecookbook

    Healthy Recipes

    • Cinnamon Overnight Oats
      Cook Time5 Minutes
    • Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash
      Cook Time1 Hours 10 Minutes
    • Peanut Butter Energy Balls
      Cook Time25 Minutes
    • Quinoa Sweet Potato Salad
      Cook Time1 Hours

    Popular Recipes

    • Baked Cheddar Mac and Cheese
      Cook Time40 Minutes
    • Cranberry Mimosa
      Cook Time5 Minutes
    • Apple Pie with Crumb Topping
      Cook Time1 Hours 40 Minutes
    • Chocolate Chip Scones
      Cook Time35 Minutes

    Featured In

    logos of places where Chisel & Fork has been featured

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    Information

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Recipes
    • DIY

    Contact

    • Contact
    • FAQ
    • Work With Us

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Chisel & Fork

    273 shares