Have you ever wondered, “Can you use marinara sauce for spaghetti?” The answer is a loud “Yes”! This simple marinara sauce is a true superhero in my kitchen. It’s easy to make and tastes much better than a ripe fresh tomato in 30 minutes. It’s guaranteed a hit with every Italian dish, pasta, pizza, or dipping breadsticks.
Marinara is an enormous category of sauce. It is always delicious and rich in flavor, like a perfectly ripe tomato from the garden. But since this is my recipe blog, I decided to explore the topic of Italy’s beloved red sauce more and explain how can you use marinara sauce for spaghetti.
I’m so excited to share my recipe for using marinara sauce for spaghetti and the best version of marinara sauce. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll never try store-bought sauce again.
Can You Make marinara Sauce For Spaghetti On Your Own?
It’s easy to make a fantastic marinara sauce. It’s not time-consuming, mainly just reducing, which allows you to focus on other cooking items.
I have never found a jarred pasta sauce that is as good as or better than making it from scratch. Homemade is always better; it is more flavorful and healthier than most jarred varieties. Most store-bought sauces have high fructose added sugars, preservatives, and corn syrup. Still, the homemade version of this sauce is made from simple ingredients: olive oil, onions, garlic, tomatoes, oregano, and salt. It’s also vegan, gluten-free, and filled with healthy fats.
Making your own Marinara sauce doesn’t take much longer than opening a jar, and it’s a great way to add freshness to your pasta dishes. Plus, you can make a big batch, store it beautifully in the fridge or freezer, and have it ready whenever needed.
What is Marinara Sauce?
I’ve traveled extensively throughout Italy; interestingly, I’ve never heard an Italian call this “Marinara sauce.” They don’t specify a sauce for a pasta dish but rather a type for pizza or a fish-based one. They call it “tomato sauce.”
The term “marinara” actually comes from the Italian word for “seafaring,” which refers to the fact that it was initially a sauce made by sailors at sea—not because it contains seafood, but because it was easy to make on a boat using essential pantry ingredients.
Technically, marinara is not a sauce but the name for recipes with sauce (e.g., spaghetti alla marinara–which means spaghetti in the kind of mariners). But some people use marinara to tell an exact recipe for tomato sauce, generally with chunky tomatoes and onions.
How Do You Make Marinara Sauce?
A traditional marinara recipe blends onions or garlic (sometimes both), usually canned tomatoes, olive oil, and herbs. It is easy to make, much healthier, and everyone’s favorite.
Ingredients
Here’s what ingredients you’ll need to make this homemade marinara sauce:
- Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 yellow onion
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Kosher salt
- Spaghetti or your favorite pasta
- Fresh basil or parsley
- Grated parmesan cheese
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Sauté the Onion and Garlic
Heat extra virgin olive oil over medium heat in a large saucepan or skillet. Add finely chopped yellow onion and minced garlic cloves to the oil with kosher salt. Stir occasionally for 5–7 minutes until the onions become soft and translucent but not brown. Let them release their sweetness, but don’t caramelize.
Step 2: Add the Tomatoes
Now, add a can of crushed tomatoes to the skillet. Once the tomatoes are in, fill the empty can halfway with water and swirl it around to capture the remaining juices. Pour this into the cooking sauce, then stir in dried oregano. Cook the mixture until it boils, then lower the heat and let the sauce simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes. Stir occasionally. The sauce will thicken, reduce acidity, and increase sweetness during this time.
Step 3: Cook the Pasta
While your sauce is simmering over high heat, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your spaghetti to the boiling water and cook it for 1–2 minutes, less than the package instructions. Drain the pasta and save a little pasta water for future use.
Step 4: Combine Pasta and Sauce
Taste the marinara sauce. Add a pinch more salt if needed. Once the sauce tastes perfect, add the drained pasta directly into the sauce and stir until the pasta is thoroughly coated with sauce. Let the pasta and sauce simmer together for 2–3 minutes to absorb the flavors into the pasta.
Step 5: Serve and Garnish
Serve the pasta in big bowls and garnish with fresh basil or chopped Italian parsley. Top with a generous sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese and serve immediately. Enjoy the fresh homemade spaghetti with marinara sauce!
What Makes This the Best Marinara Sauce?
- Quick and Easy: This sauce transports you to Italy in less than 30 minutes!
- Healthy Fats: Extra virgin olive oil amplifies the sauce’s richness and provides a dose of healthy monounsaturated fats.
- Six Simple Ingredients: You can make easy homemade tomato sauce without repurchasing store-bought sauce with just six ingredients.
- Budget-Friendly: All the ingredients cost about $20, which is extremely easy on the budget.
- Versatile: This sauce’s options are endless. It can also be used in recipes like vegan pizza, pasta cream soups, ratatouille, or meatballs.
- Vegan and gluten-free: Marinara is always fully vegan and gluten-free.
Marinara Sauce Variations
The great thing about marinara sauce is that you can turn it to make it your own in many methods. Here are a few suggested variations you can try:
- Add red pepper flakes for a spicy lift.
- Try brown ground beef, pork, turkey, or chicken with the onions and garlic for a hearty-quick meat sauce.
- Grate carrots, zucchini, or even beets for an extra boost of vegetables, and sauté them with the onions and garlic.
- Add grated or a rind of parmesan to the sauce while it simmers for extra cheesy richness.
- Pour in a splash of red wine before adding the tomatoes to make it a robust sauce.
Nutritional Facts (Per Serving)
Is Marinara Sauce the Same as Spaghetti Sauce?
To understand the difference, you must know the recipes and how to make both sauces. Marinara sauce is generally a simple tomato-based sauce. However, spaghetti sauce has additional ingredients like meat or vegetables. None of them is just spaghetti sauce. You can use both sauces with any pasta, be it long like spaghetti or tagliatelle or short like penne or fusilli.
Can You Use Marinara Sauce for Spaghetti?
Absolutely! In fact, in central Italy, a version of spaghetti sauce is inspired by the Americanized marinara called “sugo finto.” This name means “fake sauce,” so remember that Italy might be harsh on impostors!
Is Marinara the Same as Pizza Sauce?
In Italian cuisine marinara and pizza sauce share similarities, they’re not the same. Pizza sauce tends to be thicker than marinara, which is typically meatless.
FAQ’s About Can You Use Marinara Sauce for Spaghetti
Do Italians use marinara for spaghetti?
Many Italians enjoy spaghetti with marinara sauce, but personal preferences can vary. Marinara is a traditional tomato-based sauce, the most usual sauce in Italian cuisine.
What does marinara sauce go with it?
Spaghetti and penne pasta are the most popular pasta options with marinara sauce. Marinara sauce is versatile and contains many proteins, including chicken, seafood, pork, and fish. Chicken parmesan is the most famous among them.
What makes marinara sauce taste better?
Fresh garlic and onion add umami flavor to any dish. Fry some onions and garlic with chili flakes, toss in 1 tbsp tomato paste, and deglaze with red wine and Italian seasoning.
What kind of tomatoes should I use?
As this sauce has only a few ingredients, always use high-quality tomatoes for the best taste. I always use canned San Marzano tomatoes for their rich flavor, but they are also good, especially out of season.
How do Italians remove acidity from tomato sauce?
Italians use a traditional trick to reduce acidity: slowly simmering sauce and adding sweet ingredients like carrots or onions.
Final Thoughts
Can you use marinara sauce for spaghetti? Absolutely. It is a classic Italian-inspired meal! Marinara is a simple yet versatile sauce that beautifully pairs with spaghetti. It has a creamy tomato base infused with garlic, herbs, and olive oil. Marinara is a delicious and easy go-to for your next spaghetti dish, whether homemade or store-bought.
