Kittencal's Marinara Pasta Sauce Vegetarian

Elevate your pasta night with Kittencal's Vegetarian Marinara Pasta Sauce, a rich and flavorful homemade sauce bursting with classic Italian-inspired ingredients. This hearty recipe combines aromatic garlic, sautéed onions, and a medley of dried herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme to create a perfectly balanced tomato sauce. A dollop of tomato paste adds depth, while a hint of sugar rounds out the acidity of the crushed tomatoes. Simmered to perfection with a bay leaf and optional red pepper flakes for a subtle kick, this sauce is ready in under an hour and is perfect for draping over spaghetti, penne, or your favorite pasta. Whether you're looking for a meatless main or a quick, customizable recipe for meal prep, this easy marinara will quickly become your go-to!

Nutriscore Rating: 79/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
• 0.25 cup water (if needed to thin sauce)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan or skillet over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until soft and translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, being careful not to let it burn.

Step 4

Add the tomato paste to the pan and stir well to combine. Cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the paste to slightly caramelize and develop flavor.

Step 5

Add the canned crushed tomatoes to the pan and stir thoroughly.

Step 6

Mix in the dried basil, oregano, thyme, sugar, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Stir to combine.

Step 7

Place the bay leaf into the sauce and reduce the heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.

Step 8

If the sauce becomes too thick, add up to 1/4 cup of water to reach your desired consistency.

Step 9

Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt, sugar, or red pepper flakes as needed.

Step 10

Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Step 11

Serve the marinara sauce hot over your favorite pasta, garnished with freshly chopped parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1054.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	567.6

Total Fat 30.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2204.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 73.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 18.1g	0%
Total Sugars 46.1g
Protein 13.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 301.5mg	0%
Iron 9.9mg	0%
Potassium 3292.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 43.7%

Protein: 8.9%

Carbs: 47.3%