Hearty Marinara Sauce (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

What is Marinara Sauce?

Traditional marinara sauce is a tomato-based sauce made with tomatoes, basil, garlic, oregano and olive oil as the main ingredients.

It is widely used in American-Italian cuisine, and often used as a pasta sauce, meat and fish. However, you can also use it as a sauce on top of pizza crust, or even as a dipping sauce!

Why This Recipe Works:

• Very Simple Ingredients: All you need are a handful of ingredients that are easily accessible at the local grocery store (nothing fancy required!).
• Super Easy to Make: To make the sauce, simply combine the ingredients and cook them over the stovetop until it reaches the desired consistency.
• Totally Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free & Vegan: The best part is that this easy marinara sauce recipe is 100% gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan, which means that even those with Celiac disease or gluten or lactose intolerances, or those simply on a vegan diet can enjoy it without issues!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for making this homemade hearty marinara sauce recipe.

(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)

Recipe Notes + Substitutions:

• Tomatoes: Use high-quality canned tomatoes or fresh tomatoes for the best taste. Canned peeled whole tomatoes are more consistent in texture and taste.
• Olive Oil: I recommend using extra virgin olive oil. Alternatively, you can replace it with cold-pressed olive oil.
• Garlic: I strongly recommend that you use fresh garlic cloves for the best flavor – either minced or thinly sliced will work.
• Dried Oregano: Dried oregano leaves have a stronger flavor compared to fresh oregano leaves. Alternatively you may also use Italian seasoning instead.
• Red Pepper Flakes/Black Pepper: I like adding a pinch of red pepper flakes and ground black pepper to this robust red sauce for a little bit of heat. You can either add more or use less depending on how much you can tolerate heat.
• Basil Leaves: Fresh basil leaves adds a beautiful flavor to this delicious homemade marinara sauce. You can either use torn or thinly-sliced basil leaves.

How to Make Homemade Marinara Sauce (Step by Step):

1. Heat Oil

Heat oil in a large skillet or a pot over medium heat.

2. Sauté Garlic

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 1 minute, making sure not to let it brown.

3. Add Tomatoes to Skillet

Add the tomatoes, including the reserved tomato juices, to the pan.

4. Add Condiments and Herbs

Add the chili flakes, dried oregano, salt and ground black pepper to the skillet. Then add the fresh basil leaves.

Stir well with a wooden spoon to ensure that the spices and herbs are well combined with the tomatoes.

5. Cook and Simmer

Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir for 10 minutes to break down the chunks of tomatoes.

Next, bring the sauce to a gentle simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until the marinara sauce has thickened. Taste the sauce and add more salt or black pepper as needed.

6. Let Sauce Cool

Once you are satisfied with the consistency, remove the gluten-free marinara sauce from the heat and let it cool off to room temperature.

7. Enjoy!

If you want to enjoy it straight away, remove from the heat and use it to prepare your favorite pasta dishes, pizza or even as a dip.

Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:

• Balance the Acidity: Taste the sauce as you cook it. If you find that it’s a little too acidic/sour, feel free to add a bit of sugar to balance out the acidity of the tomatoes.
• Add Protein: If you want a more substantial sauce, add some meat like ground beef, pork or sausage to make it more hearty, or some vegetables like mushrooms, onions, bell pepper, carrots, or zucchini to make it more nutritious.
• Use it as Pizza Sauce: You can spread this gluten-free marinara sauce on top of a homemade pizza crust.
• Use as a Dip: Serve this homemade sauce as a party dip alongside zucchini fries, breadsticks, mozzarella sticks or crackers!
• Chunky or Smooth: I like a chunky texture, but if you prefer a smooth sauce, you can blend the ingredients with a high-speed blender, food processor or immersion blender until you get the desired consistency.

Recipe FAQs:

Other Gluten-Free Sauces to Make:

Gluten-Free Recipes with Tomatoes You’ll Love:

• Easy Tomato Soup (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
• Homemade Tomato Sauce (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

P.S. If you try this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating below, and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to check out my entire Recipe Index for all the recipes on the blog. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Sign up for my Email List to get fresh recipes in your inbox each week!

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Hearty Marinara Sauce (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

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• Author: Felicia Lim
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Vegan

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Description

Rich and flavorful, this hearty marinara sauce is tastes great and comes together easily. Make a big batch to enjoy with pasta, as a pizza sauce or as a party dip! Totally gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan too.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 can tomatoes (28 oz.) (either whole and peeled, diced or crushed)
• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 10–15 fresh basil leaves
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Heat Oil: Heat oil in a large skillet or a pot over medium heat.
2. Sauté Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 1 minute, making sure not to let it brown.
3. Add Tomatoes to Skillet: Add the tomatoes, including the reserved tomato juices, to the pan.
4. Add Condiments and Herbs: Add the chili flakes, dried oregano, salt and ground black pepper to the skillet. Then add the fresh basil leaves. Stir well to ensure that the spices and herbs are well combined with the tomatoes.
5. Cook and Simmer: Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir for 10 minutes until the tomatoes are broken down. Next, let the sauce simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until the marinara sauce has thickened. Taste the sauce and add more salt or black pepper as needed.
6. Let Sauce Cool: Once you are satisfied with the consistency, remove the gluten-free marinara sauce from the heat and let it cool off to room temperature.
7. Enjoy! If you want to enjoy it straight away, remove from the heat and use it to prepare delicious pasta dishes, pizza or even as a dip.

Notes

Tomatoes: Use high-quality canned tomatoes or fresh tomatoes for the best taste. Canned tomatoes are more consistent in texture and taste.

Olive Oil: I recommend using extra virgin olive oil. Alternatively, you can replace it with cold-pressed olive oil.

Garlic: I strongly recommend that you use fresh garlic cloves for the best flavor – either minced or thinly sliced will work.

Dried Oregano: Dried oregano leaves have a stronger flavor compared to fresh oregano.

Red Pepper Flakes/Black Pepper: I like adding a pinch of red pepper flakes and ground black pepper for a little bit of heat. You can either add more or use less depending on how much you can tolerate heat.

Basil Leaves: Fresh basil leaves adds a beautiful flavor to the sauce. You can either use torn or thinly-sliced basil leaves.

Storing/Freezing: If not using straightaway, you can transfer the cooled marinara sauce to a mason jar and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce can be reheated on the stove or in the microwave before use. If you prefer to freeze it, you can store it in a freezer-safe container in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you are ready to use it, thaw it in the fridge overnight or in the microwave, and then reheat it on the stove.

Note: Always make sure to let the sauce cool to room temperature before storing it in the fridge or freezer, to preserve the quality and taste of the sauce.

• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins
• Category: Sauces
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian