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    Home » Dips and Sauces » Marinara Dipping Sauce Recipe

    Marinara Dipping Sauce Recipe

    Published: Jun 21, 2021 · Modified: Mar 6, 2022 by Ajoke · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Easy homemade marinara dipping sauce! This step-by-step recipe shows you how to make the best marinara sauce ever. This dipping sauce is versatile, great with my homemade baked mini meatballs, halloumi fries, puff pastry cheese straw, and oh, it can be used on pasta and gnocchi too.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Let me show you how to make it in simple steps.

    the overhead shot of tomato sauce in a bowl.

    Marinara dipping sauce recipe

    Ever wondered what makes the best marinara sauce, well, the simple answer is homemade marinara sauce!!! This sauce is easy to make and takes about 5 minutes preps. In fact, all the recipes you will need are likely in your pantry.

    Yes, no judgment here, but you need to stop buying store-bought red sauce and start making your own. Not only will you be saving money, but you will also be in control of what goes into the sauce.

    Related posts: If you love making homemade dips or sauce then you will love my easy tzatziki recipe, Mexican cold corn dip, and creamy feta dip.

    a hand dipping mini meatball into marinara sauce with a toothpick.

    What you will need

    Crushed tomatoes also referred to as chopped tomatoes. When serving as a dipping sauce I prefere to use crushed tomatoes for a bit of texture. If you prefer the sauce smoother then substitute chopped tomatoes for tomato sauce known as passata in the UK.

    Extra virgin olive oil: substitute for olive oil or any other flavourless oil of choice.

    Shallots: this can be substituted with white onions

    Fresh garlic

    Italian seasoning: substitute with herbs de Provence or oregano and basil.

    Sugar: trust me on this, you only need a little to balance out the acidity in the tomatoes. You can easily leave it out if you prefer.

    Red pepper flakes: this is optional but I like to add it for a little bit of kick.

    Salt and black pepper

    ingredients needed for the recipe.

    How to make marinara sauce

    Heat up olive oil on medium heat, add finely chopped onions and saute until soft, add chopped garlic and cook for another minutes until fragrant.

    Add crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, sugar, salt, and black pepper and stir to combine. Simmer the sauce on medium-low heat until it thickened and reduced in size (say 15 to 20 minutes). Taste and adjust seasoning to preference. You will know the marinara sauce is cooked when it goes from bright red to a darker shade of red.

    Remove the sauce from the stove and serve warm or cold.

    the process shot how to make tomato dipping sauce.

    What to serve with marinara dipping sauce

    Breadsticks

    Warm breads or crostini

    Mini meatballs

    Cheese straw

    Mozzarella sticks

    Halloumi fries

    Fried ravioli

    Cheesy pesto garlic bread

    Onion rings

    Crispy chicken wings

    Pizza bites and many more.

    a hand holding up dipped meatball over a bowl of sauce.

    How to store

    In the fridge: make sure the sauce is completely cooled, transfer into an airtight container, and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    In the freezer: make sure it is labeled correctly and store for up 3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight.

    To reheat: simply warm in the microwave or serve at a room temperature.

    FAQs

    Can I make this ahead

    Yes, you can make marinara sauce 3 days ahead of time, it keeps well in the fridge too.

    Is marinara sauce the same as passata

    No, passata is pureed tomato (also known as tomato sauce) while marinara sauce is an Italian-American tomato based sauce made with herbs.

    a bowl of marinara sauce placed beside a plate of mini meatballs.

    If you made this easy dipping sauce recipe, don’t forget to leave me feedback and rate it 5 stars. Tag us @cravingsmallbites on Instagram and save away to your Pinterest

    a hand dipping mini meatball into a bowl of marinara sauce, there is also a plate of meatballs placed behind it.

    Marinara Dipping Sauce

    Ajoke
    Easy homemade marinara dipping sauce! this step-by-step recipe shows you how to make the best marinara sauce ever. This dipping sauce is versatile, great with my homemade baked meatballs, halloumi fries, puff pastry cheese straw and oh, it can be used on pastas too.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Course Appetizer, Dip
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 cup
    Calories 465 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 400 g Crushed tomatoes substitute chopped tomatoes for tomato sauce known as passata for a smooter sauce.
    • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
    • ⅓ cup shallots finely chopped
    • 2 large garlic cloves chopped
    • 1 tsp Italian seasoning substitute with herbs de Provence or oregano and basil.
    • 1 tsp sugar optional
    • ½ tsp red pepper flakes optional
    • Salt and black pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Heat up olive oil on medium heat, add finely chopped onions and sauté until soft, add chopped garlic and cook for another minutes until fragrant.
    • Add crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, sugar, salt and black pepper and stir to combine. Simmer the sauce on medium low heat until it thickened and reduced in size. Taste and adjust seasoning to preference. You will know the marinara sauce is cooked when it goes from bright red to a darker shade of red.
    • Remove the sauce from the stove and serve warm or cold.

    Notes

    How to store
    In the fridge: make sure the sauce is completely cooled, transfer into an airtight container, and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
    In the freezer: make sure it labeled correctly and store for up 3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight.
    To reheat: simply warm in the microwave or serve at room temperature.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 465kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 9gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 21gSodium: 556mgPotassium: 1505mgFiber: 11gSugar: 28gVitamin A: 1194IUVitamin C: 45mgCalcium: 212mgIron: 7mg
    Keyword marinara dipping sauce, marinara sauce
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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