Rich and flavorful, this vegan marinara sauce will make even the simplest dish taste good! It is also incredibly easy to make, and all you need are 7 pantry ingredients.
Ever since learning how to make my own marinara sauce, there is no going back to store-bought ones! It not only tastes better and fresher, but I also get to customize it and add whatever sounds good. I especially love adding some ground-up vegan Italian sausages for extra protein and flavor—it takes the sauce to the next level!
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🤔Are marinara sauce and spaghetti sauce the same
Although both sauces are tomato-based, they are slightly different in their taste and texture. Marinara is a simple sauce, and usually only contains tomatoes, aromatics like onion and garlic, and some seasonings.
On the other hand, spaghetti sauce contains additional ingredients like chopped vegetables, meat, and various spices. Hence, it has a more complex and robust flavor profile.
💚Why you will love this recipe
- Simple and incredibly easy to make - ready in 30 minutes
- Taste incredible and is bursting with flavors
- Healthier than store-bought - lower in sodium and sugar, and much fresher!
- Stores well and is freezer-friendly
🍅What you will need
📃Ingredients notes and substitutions
- Crushed tomatoes - I am using crushed tomatoes here, but feel free to use canned diced tomatoes if you prefer a chunkier sauce.
- Maple syrup - An optional ingredient. Help balance out some acidity from the tomatoes.
- Chili flakes - Gives this vegan marinara sauce a gentle kick. Feel free to omit it for a spice-free version.
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🔪How to make
Heat up a tablespoon of olive oil in a cast-iron skillet/saucepan over medium. Once heated, add onion and saute until translucent.
Add garlic and fry for a minute.
Next, pour in crushed tomatoes along with oregano, chili flakes, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
Remove from heat, and add maple syrup and chopped basil. Give everything a quick stir, and your vegan marinara sauce is ready to be used.
✔Helpful tips
- Opt for San Marzano canned tomatoes if you can get your hands on them! They might be slightly pricier, but their vibrant taste makes them worth it.
- You can also use fresh tomatoes in place of canned ones. You will need around 6-7 large, ripe tomatoes. It is recommended that you blanch, peel, and diced them into small cubes before using them.
- Simmer your vegan marinara sauce over low heat to prevent them from splattering. If they are somehow still splattering, you can choose to half-cover the pan with a lid.
- As this recipe is freezable, I do highly recommend doubling or even tripling the recipe as part of your meal prep!
✨Variations
Spicy - If you love spice, feel free to double the amount of chili flakes used. Alternatively, you could add some hot sauce or peri-peri sauce to really dial up the heat!
Slightly cheesy - Add a couple of tablespoons of nutritional yeast or vegan parmesan.
Smoother - You can run your sauce in a blender or blend it with an immersion blender after cooking if you prefer a smoother marinara sauce.
Vegetables - It is also pretty easy to sneak some veggies into this recipe! Finely dice up some celery and carrot, and cook them along with the onions, until softened.
🍝How to serve
- Pasta or pasta dishes - For a simple meal, combine cooked pasta of choice along with a protein source like these vegan Italian sausages and toss them in this vegan marinara sauce. You can also use it in dishes like lasagna or pasta bake too!
- Meatballs - I love using this sauce as a base for my TVP meatballs.
- Pizzas - This marinara sauce works well as a pizza sauce too!
- As a dip - Use it to dip breadsticks, fries, or even these air fryer potato slices.
❄Storing suggestions
Fridge - Leftover marinara sauce can be kept in a glass jar or airtight container for up to a week.
Freezer - Portion the sauce using containers or zip-lock bags before freezing so you will be only taking out what you need. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Let them thaw completely in the fridge or on the countertop before using.
❔Commonly asked questions
Marinara sauce is typically vegan as it is mainly made from tomatoes and various aromatics and seasonings. However, some brands of marinara sauce do contain animal products like chicken broth and parmesan cheese, so it is crucial that you turn and read the ingredient list before purchasing.
Marinara sauce is usually spice-free and is suitable for children and those who are sensitive to spice. However, this recipe does contain chili flakes, but you can simply omit them for a spice-free version!
📖 Recipe
Simple Vegan Marinara Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ medium yellow onion
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 28oz can crushed tomatoes or 2 14.5oz can*
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes optional
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh minced basil
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup optional
Instructions
- Heat up a tablespoon of olive oil in a cast-iron skillet/saucepan over medium. Once heated, add onion and saute until translucent, about 1-2 minutes.1 tablespoon olive oil, ½ medium yellow onion
- Add garlic and fry for a minute.3 cloves garlic
- Next, pour in crushed tomatoes along with oregano, chili flakes, salt, and pepper Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.1 28oz can crushed tomatoes, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon red chili flakes, salt and pepper
- Remove from heat, and add maple syrup and chopped basil. Give it a taste, adding more salt if needed. Your vegan marinara sauce is ready to be used.1 tablespoon fresh minced basil, 2 teaspoons maple syrup
Notes
- Opt for San Marzano canned tomatoes if you can get your hands on them! They might be slightly pricier, but their vibrant taste makes them worth it.
- Simmer your vegan marinara sauce over low heat to prevent them from splattering. If they are somehow still splattering, you can choose to half-cover the pan with a lid.
Save this recipe!
Email yourself a link to this page and come back later.
Also get a FREE high-protein vegan recipe eBook + weekly new recipes! Unsubscribe anytime.
Nutrition
Nutrition info calculated is just a rough estimate and is provided as a courtesy. Bear in mind that value will vary based on variables like specific brand or type of product used. To obtain the most accurate representation, it is highly recommended that you calculate it on your own with the actual amount and type of ingredient used.
Amanda says
I got a vegan meal plan on Google and this is my dinner??? On AI! 65-85 grams of protein, low sodium, low sugar, healthy fats ... I don't see sauce as a meal though. I will be providing feedback to Google. If it shows up again, what do you recommend pairing with it? Need Vitamin D due to liveing in NEPA year-round and getting nutritional yeast for B vitamins and Gimme seaweed snacks specifically for B12(both deficiencies occured before the vegan lifestyle... B12 is currently fine .. Vitamin D still slightly low despite supplementation).
Jim Mee Sha says
Hi Amanda, next time you could try adding some seitan chicken or vegan Italian sausages for a higher protein meal. You could also check out this vegan spaghetti sauce instead with tofu as a protein source.
Tammy says
I made this recipe to go with a quick vegetable, pasta primavera I was making. It is very tasty! I will likely half the red pepper flakes next time, but even with the extra little kick, the sauce is so good.
Thank you for such a simple recipe using pantry staples and the herb garden.
Jim Mee Sha says
Welcome! I am really glad to hear that!
Emma D says
Made this tonight along with your vegan meatballs. Amazing!!
Meesha says
Glad to hear that!😊
Susan says
You said, "To intensify the flavors of marinara sauce, add in about ¼ cup of red wine vinegar." When would you add in the red wine vinegar?
Meesha says
You can add it in along with the diced tomatoes. 😉
Susan says
Thank you.