Sugar-Free Classic Homemade Marinara Sauce

Elevate your Italian-inspired dishes with this Sugar-Free Classic Homemade Marinara Sauce, a wholesome and flavorful alternative to store-bought varieties. Made with pantry staples like olive oil, canned crushed tomatoes, and aromatic herbs such as oregano, basil, and thyme, this sauce delivers rich, authentic taste without added sugars. A slow simmer allows the flavors to meld together beautifully, while a finishing touch of fresh basil adds vibrant freshness. Perfect as a pasta topper, pizza base, or dipping sauce, this versatile recipe is easy to prepare in just under an hour, making it ideal for weeknight dinners or meal prep. Delight your palate with this healthier, homemade take on a classic Italian favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

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
• 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes (or fresh ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 leaf bay leaf
• 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 0 teaspoon salt, to taste
• 0 teaspoon black pepper, to taste
• 0.25 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

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

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.

Step 4

Pour in the crushed tomatoes, and stir to combine with the onions and garlic.

Step 5

Add the dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, bay leaf, and red pepper flakes, stirring to incorporate the spices.

Step 6

Season with salt and black pepper to taste, and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.

Step 7

Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan leaving a small gap for steam to escape, and let the sauce simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 8

Remove and discard the bay leaf.

Step 9

Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

Step 10

Stir in the fresh basil leaves just before serving for a burst of freshness.

Step 11

Serve the marinara sauce warm with your favorite pasta or as a base for pizza.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1014.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	541.5

Total Fat 30.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3205.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 62.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.2g	0%
Total Sugars 34.5g
Protein 10.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 276.0mg	0%
Iron 9.2mg	0%
Potassium 2054.7mg	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: 48.4%

Protein: 7.4%

Carbs: 44.1%