The Easiest Homemade Red Sauce

If you’re looking for a rich, flavorful, and foolproof homemade red sauce, this is the easiest marinara recipe you’ll ever make! With just a handful of simple pantry ingredients like crushed tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and herbs, you can create a classic Italian-style red sauce that’s perfect for pasta, pizza, lasagna, meatballs, and more. Say goodbye to store-bought jars—this quick and easy homemade tomato sauce is fresher, healthier, and packed with bold, authentic flavor.

This simple red sauce recipe requires minimal effort, yet delivers slow-simmered taste in under 30 minutes. Whether you're making a classic spaghetti dinner, layering it into a hearty baked ziti, or using it as a base for homemade marinara, arrabbiata, or Bolognese, this versatile sauce is a staple every home cook should master.

No matter how you use it, this homemade red sauce recipe is the perfect balance of savory, garlicky, and slightly sweet tomato goodness.

The Easiest Homemade Red Sauce

Ingredients:

½ cup extra virgin olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 small onion, diced
Salt and pepper, to taste
¼ teaspoon oregano
2 cans (28-32 oz) San Marzano whole tomatoes
Fresh basil (about 5-10 leaves, torn or chopped)

Instructions:

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
Add the onions and cook until they become soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
Add the tomatoes with their juices, crushing them with your hands before adding or use a wooden spoon to break them down in the pan.
Stir in the oregano, salt, and pepper to taste.
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
Reduce the heat to low and let it cook uncovered for 30-45 minutes, or up to 4 hours, stirring occasionally. The longer it cooks, the more it allows the flavors to develop and the sauce to thicken.
In the last 5 minutes of cooking, add the fresh basil and stir. Let it infuse into the sauce for a rich, aromatic flavor.
For a chunky sauce, leave it as is.
For a smooth sauce, use an immersion blender or a regular blender to purée until you reach the desired consistency.
Toss with your favorite pasta, use as a pizza sauce, or serve with bread.