This Marinara sauce With Fresh Tomatoes is a delicious and simple sauce that is perfect for pasta dishes, pizza, or as a dipping sauce. Made with just a few simple ingredients like tomatoes, garlic, onion, and herbs, this sauce is easy to prepare and burst with fresh flavor.

Marinara sauce with fresh tomatoes is a classic Italian tomato-based sauce that is typically used as a topping for pasta. The sauce is made by cooking fresh tomatoes, garlic, and herbs in olive oil until the tomatoes break down and become a thick and flavorful sauce.
To make marinara sauce with fresh tomatoes, you will need ripe tomatoes, garlic, extra-virgin olive oil, salt, black pepper, oregano, basil, and optionally, red pepper flakes.
Marinara sauce recipes homemade is easy to make and with just a few basic ingredients you can make this delicious Marinara sauce at home. There are a few variations to this Marinara sauce that include capers, olives, spices, and some wine, occasionally. I am sharing a simple recipe, that can be made with just a few basic ingredients. However, the recipe can be adapted to suit your taste.
It's a versatile sauce, that can be served over pasta, as a dipping sauce, or used in your favorite recipe. I use this Marinara sauce recipes homemade with fresh tomatoes to make my family's favorite Minestrone Soup, and Chicken Parmesan... Yum!!
You may also like my Broccoli Cheddar Pasta, Mushroom Pasta, Baked Feta Pasta - TikTok Viral Pasta Recipe, and How To Make Paneer - Indian Cottage Cheese
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Difference Between Marinara Sauce And Spaghetti Sauce
Marinara sauce and spaghetti sauce are both tomato-based sauces that are commonly used in Italian cuisine, but there are some key differences between the two:
Marinara sauce is made with just a few simple ingredients, such as tomatoes, garlic, onion, and herbs. Spaghetti sauce, on the other hand, can include a wider variety of ingredients, such as ground beef or sausage, bell peppers, mushrooms, and red wine.
Marinara sauce is generally thinner and smoother than spaghetti sauce, which is typically thicker and chunkier.
Marinara sauce is a quick-cooking sauce that can be made in about 30 minutes. Spaghetti sauce, on the other hand, often requires a longer cooking time to allow the flavors to meld together and the meat to cook through.
Marinara sauce is often used as a base sauce for other dishes, such as pizza or eggplant Parmesan, while spaghetti sauce is commonly used as a sauce for pasta dishes, such as spaghetti or lasagna.
Ingredients For Marinara Sauce Recipe
Here are the ingredients you need to make a simple and delicious marinara sauce with fresh tomatoes that is perfect for serving over pasta or as a base for other Italian dishes.
Fresh Tomatoes: Use ripe and juicy tomatoes for the best results. You can use any variety of tomatoes such as Roma, San Marzano or heirloom tomatoes.
Garlic: Adds a delicious flavor to the sauce. Use fresh garlic cloves.
Extra-virgin Olive Oil: Use good quality extra-virgin olive oil to sauté garlic and onions. It adds a nice flavor to the sauce.
Salt: Enhances the flavor of the sauce. Use a good quality salt such as sea salt.
Black Pepper: Adds a mild spicy flavor to the sauce. You can adjust the amount of pepper according to your preference.
Oregano: Adds a savory and slightly bitter flavor to the sauce. You can use either fresh or dried oregano.
Basil: Adds a sweet and aromatic flavor to the sauce. Use fresh basil leaves for the best flavor.
Red Pepper Flakes (Optional): If you like a little bit of heat in your sauce, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes. It adds a spicy kick to the sauce.
How To Make Marinara Sauce In Instant Pot
Here is how to make marinara sauce with fresh tomatoes in an Instant Pot:
Chop the tomatoes and remove the stems. No need to remove the seeds or skins.
Turn on the Instant Pot to the sauté function and add olive oil, minced garlic, and chopped onions. Cook until the onions are soft and the garlic is fragrant.
Add the chopped tomatoes, herbs, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using) to the Instant Pot. Stir to combine.
Close the Instant Pot and set it to manual high pressure for 10 minutes.
Once the cooking time is up, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then do a quick release to release any remaining pressure.
Carefully open the Instant Pot. Use an immersion blender to blend the sauce until smooth. Alternatively, let the sauce cool slightly and then blend in a blender in batches.
Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning as needed.
Serve the marinara sauce with your favorite pasta dish, pizza, or use it as a dipping sauce.
Stovetop Marinara Sauce With Fresh Tomatoes
In a heavy bottom pot or a Dutch oven, follow the recipe as discussed earlier. Sauté onions, garlic, spices.
Add tomatoes, carrots, fresh herbs, salt, and pepper to taste. Mix well.
Cook the tomatoes, stirring occasionally until almost all the moisture has evaporated. This will take around 25-30 minutes. The rest of the recipe is the same as Instant Pot.
Adjust the heat, to prevent any splattering of the sauce. You can also use a lid or a splatter screen.
Storage
You can store marinara sauce with fresh tomatoes in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an airtight container.
You can freeze marinara sauce with fresh tomatoes. Allow the sauce to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Tips For The Best Marinara Sauce
Here are some tips for making the best marinara sauce with fresh tomatoes:
Use fresh and ripe tomatoes: The quality of the tomatoes will greatly affect the flavor of the sauce. Look for ripe, juicy, and flavorful tomatoes.
Use good quality olive oil: Since olive oil is a main ingredient in the sauce, it's important to use good quality extra-virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
Cook the garlic and red pepper flakes first: Sautéing the garlic and red pepper flakes in olive oil before adding the tomatoes will help to infuse the oil with flavor.
Simmer the sauce: Cooking the sauce over low heat for 25-30 minutes will allow the tomatoes to break down and release their juices, resulting in a thicker and more flavorful sauce.
Use fresh herbs: Fresh herbs such as basil and oregano will add a lot of flavor to the sauce. Be sure to add them towards the end of the cooking process to preserve their fresh flavor.
Season to taste: Taste the sauce frequently and adjust the seasoning as needed. This will ensure that the sauce has the perfect balance of flavors.
Blend the sauce: For a smoother sauce, blend it using an immersion blender or transfer it to a blender or food processor. This will create a smooth and silky texture.
Let the sauce rest: Letting the sauce rest for 10-15 minutes after cooking will allow the flavors to blend and create an even more delicious sauce.
FAQ
It is not required to peel the tomatoes for this recipe. However, if you prefer you can either peel or blanch the tomatoes before using.
Skinning tomatoes for marinara sauce is not mandatory, but it can help create a smoother texture. If you prefer a chunkier sauce or enjoy the texture of tomato skins, you can skip the peeling step.
Peeling tomatoes for homemade spaghetti sauce is not necessary, as the skins can break down and blend into the sauce during the cooking process. However, if you prefer a smoother texture or want to remove the skins for personal preference, you can choose to peel the tomatoes before preparing the sauce.
Whether to remove tomato seeds for marinara sauce is a matter of personal preference. While some prefer to remove them to achieve a smoother consistency, others leave them in for added texture and flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Marinara sauce is a versatile sauce that can be served with many different dishes. Here are some ideas:
Pasta: Marinara sauce is a classic sauce for serving with pasta, such as spaghetti, penne, or linguine.
Pizza: Marinara sauce is commonly used as the base sauce for pizza, topped with cheese, vegetables, and/or meat.
Meatballs: Marinara sauce is a classic topping for meatballs, whether served on their own or in a sandwich.
Eggplant Parmesan: Marinara sauce is often used as a sauce for eggplant Parmesan, layered with eggplant slices and mozzarella cheese.
Stuffed shells: Marinara sauce is often used as a sauce for stuffed shells, filled with a mixture of ricotta cheese, spinach, and parmesan cheese.
Lasagna: Marinara sauce can be used as a base sauce for lasagna, layered with pasta, cheese, and meat.
Bread: Marinara sauce can be used as a dipping sauce for bread, whether served plain or in the form of garlic bread.
Marinara Sauce With Fresh Tomatoes
Equipment
Ingredients
INGREDIENTS FOR MARINARA SAUCE
- 2 lbs fresh, ripe tomatoes, diced
- 1 medium carrot, grated
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4-6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
- Handful of fresh parsley, chopped
- 1– 2 teaspoon sugar or preferred sweetener (optional)
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- salt and pepper, adjust to taste
Instructions
Prep for Marinara Sauce with Fresh Tomatoes
- Dice the tomatoes and onions. Peel and mince the garlic.
Instant Pot Marinara Sauce with Fresh Tomatoes
- Add garlic and onions, and saute for 30-60 seconds.
- Add dried basil, oregano, and garlic powder, and saute for 30-60 seconds. Turn OFF saute mode.
- Add tomatoes, carrots, fresh basil, parsley, salt, and pepper to taste. Mix well.
- Close the IP lid, and turn ON Manual / Pressure Cook (high) for 10 minutes. Let pressure release naturally, around 10 minutes.
- Open the IP lid, using a hand blender, and carefully blend the sauce to the desired consistency.
- OPTIONAL: Turn ON saute (less), and cook the sauce for 3-5 minutes to the desired consistency. Add sugar, or preferred sweetener to balance the tartness in the sauce.
- Let the sauce cool down, and transfer it into a clean, air-tight glass container.
- This recipe yields around 16 ounces of Marinara sauce. The sauce stays fresh for up to a week in the refrigerator.
Stovetop Marinara Sauce with Fresh Tomatoes
- In a heavy bottom pot or a Dutch oven, follow the recipe as discussed earlier. Saute onions, garlic, spices.
- Add tomatoes, carrots, fresh herbs, salt, and pepper to taste. Mix well.
- Cook the tomatoes, stirring occasionally until almost all the moisture has evaporated. This will take around 25-30 minutes. The rest of the recipe is the same as Instant Pot.
- Adjust the heat, to prevent any splattering of the sauce. You can also use a lid or a splatter screen.
Notes
- Tips for the Best Homemade Marinara Sauce with Fresh Tomatoes
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Serving Suggestions
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Nutrition values are my best estimates. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.
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Beth says
Can This marinara sauce be frozen?
Jyoti Behrani says
Yes, you can freeze the sauce for couple of months. Divide the sauce into freezer safe containers, and freeze it. Thanks!
Kathleen A Harrington says
I tried it. Not too bad actually. The next time i'll put in half the basil. I'm not a fan of that much basil. I did have to add a can of tomato sauce because my imersion blender was having a hard time with the small amount in my pot. After I IP'd it, I fried up beef and put it in with some tomato paste to make it redder. I'll make it again
Jyoti Behrani says
Awesome! I am so glad you liked my recipe 🙂 Thanks for sharing your feedback!
Paula says
I used plum tomatoes from my garden. Excellent results just as written. It will be my go to marinara for canning.
Jyoti Behrani says
Awesome! I am so glad you liked my recipe 🙂 Thanks for sharing your feedback!
Stacie says
I made this recipe and it turned out delicious! I used fresh tomatoes from the garden and doubled the recipe amount. Only addition was one tablespoon of tomato paste and a pinch of red pepper flakes. It was much easier than prior recipes I’ve tried which require blanching and peeling. I used it to make eggplant parm and froze the rest. I will definitely using this recipe in the future. It’s a keeper!
Jyoti Behrani says
Awesome! I am so glad you liked my recipe 🙂 Thank you for sharing your feedback. Greatly appreciated!
Emily says
This recipe was so simple and delicious! Such a great way to use ripe summer tomatoes without having to stand over a hot stove for hours. My kids are huge pasta fans, so I'll be making this regularly!
Jyoti Behrani says
Awesome! I am so glad you liked my recipe 🙂 Thanks for sharing your feedback!
Anu says
I made this using tomatoes from our garden. I chopped up the carrot rather than grating it. I also added some TVP at the start to thicken it. This sauce freezes well. Definitely worth a try.
Jyoti Behrani says
Awesome! I am so glad you liked my recipe 🙂 Thanks for sharing your feedback!
Terrie says
I love this recipe! I have made several batches and thrown them in my freezer for this winter. I have also added jalapeño as we like it spicy. Great recipe, Thank you for sharing.
Jyoti Behrani says
Awesome! I am so glad you liked my recipe 🙂 Thanks for sharing your feedback!