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Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce
This classic marinara sauce blends simple pantry staples into a rich, comforting tomato sauce perfect for pasta night. With sweet onions, aromatic garlic, Italian herbs, and the balanced acidity of canned tomatoes, it’s a reliable go-to recipe that comes together in under an hour. Marinara sauces like this one became popular in Italian-American kitchens for their ease, affordability, and compatibility with pasta, meatballs, or even pizza bases. It’s both weeknight-friendly and perfect for batch cooking.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course sauce
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6
Calories 88 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion (medium, chopped)
  • 2 cloves garlic (chopped)
  • 28 oz whole tomatoes (1 can, with liquid)
  • 8 oz tomato sauce (1 can)
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or ½ tsp oregano + ½ tsp basil)
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 1 lb spaghetti

Instructions
 

Step 1: Sauté Aromatics

  • Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
  • Add chopped onion and garlic.
  • Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.

Step 2: Add Tomatoes and Seasoning

  • Add whole tomatoes with liquid, tomato sauce, herbs, sugar, salt, and pepper.
  • Cut whole tomatoes into bite-sized pieces directly in the pan using a spoon or spatula.

Step 3: Simmer Sauce

  • Bring the mixture to a simmer.
  • Reduce heat and cook uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 4: Cook Spaghetti

  • While sauce simmers, cook spaghetti according to package instructions.
  • Drain and serve with marinara sauce.

Tips

  • Add crushed red pepper flakes for a spicier marinara.
  • Stir in fresh basil at the end for bright herbal flavor.
  • Add a splash of red wine while sautéing onions for richer depth.
  • Replace canned tomatoes with fresh chopped tomatoes in summer.
  • Add a grated carrot for natural sweetness instead of sugar.
  • Blend the sauce for a smooth consistency.
  • Simmer longer (up to 40 minutes) for a thicker, deeper flavor.
  • Add cooked ground beef or sausage for a quick meat sauce variation.
  • Use San Marzano tomatoes for an upgraded classic taste.
  • Freeze extra sauce in portions for easy weeknight meals.

Nutrition

Calories: 88kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 2gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 0.9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.6gMonounsaturated Fat: 3.8gSodium: 330mgPotassium: 330mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 650IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 1.3mg
Keyword easy Italian recipe, homemade sauce, marinara, pasta sauce, tomato sauce, vintage recipe, weeknight meals
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