Simple Vegan Marinara Sauce

A pan of vegan marinara sauce with a wooden stirrer, olive oil, and chopped basil beside.

5 from 4 votes

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.

Prep Time5

Cook Time20

Total Time25

Course: Condiment, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Servings: ½ cup serving

Calories: 77kcal

Author: Meesha

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

US Customary - Metric

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

*Tomatoes - I am using crushed tomatoes here, but feel free to use canned diced tomatoes if you prefer a chunkier sauce.

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.

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.
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.

Storing - Leftover marinara sauce can be kept in a glass jar or airtight container for up to a week.

To freeze, 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.

Nutrition