Low Sodium Classic Homemade Marinara Sauce

Transform your favorite pasta dishes with this Low Sodium Classic Homemade Marinara Sauce—a heart-healthy twist on a timeless Italian staple. Made with no-salt-added crushed tomatoes and tomato paste, this flavorful recipe relies on fresh herbs like parsley and basil, aromatic garlic, and a touch of sweetness from a simmered carrot to deliver a robust, savory sauce without the extra sodium. Slow-simmered to perfection, this marinara packs in layers of flavor using classic seasonings like oregano, red pepper flakes, and bay leaf. Perfect for pairing with pasta, as a pizza base, or as a dipping sauce, this low-sodium marinara is easy to prepare and a versatile addition to your kitchen repertoire. Ready in just over an hour and ideal for meal prep, this recipe ensures you can enjoy fresh, homemade goodness all week long!

Nutriscore Rating: 83/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
• 4 Garlic cloves, minced
• 28 ounces Crushed tomatoes, no salt added
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste, no salt added
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon Dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon Red pepper flakes
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons Fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1 small Carrot, peeled and halved
• 1 Bay leaf

Directions

Step 1

Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and sauté for another 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.

Step 4

Stir in the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste, mixing well to ensure the paste is fully incorporated.

Step 5

Add the dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes, and black pepper to the tomato mixture.

Step 6

Toss in the halved carrot and bay leaf (these will be removed later for enhanced sweetness without added sodium).

Step 7

Lower the heat and allow the sauce to simmer uncovered for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

Step 8

Once the sauce has thickened and flavors are well combined, remove the carrot and bay leaf.

Step 9

Stir in the fresh parsley and basil leaves.

Step 10

Serve immediately over your choice of pasta or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1051.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	579.0

Total Fat 30.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 129.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 75.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 20.0g	0%
Total Sugars 41.7g
Protein 14.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 260.9mg	0%
Iron 6.5mg	0%
Potassium 2729.9mg	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: 42.8%

Protein: 9.3%

Carbs: 47.9%