Easy Spaghetti Marinara Recipe
Add Preferred SourceWhen you’re in the mood for a tasty, budget-friendly meal, spaghetti marinara is a solid choice that won’t break the bank. This simple yet satisfying recipe lets you create a delicious sauce using pantry staples. Paired with affordable pasta and perhaps some frozen or canned seafood, you can have a filling meal without splurging.
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Why you’ll love this recipe
- Pantry Powerhouse: This recipe relies on ingredients you might already have on hand, saving you a trip to the store and a dent in your wallet.
- Frugal Flavor Bomb: Don’t be fooled by the budget-friendly staples – this marinara packs a serious punch of flavor that will rival any restaurant dish. Weeknight Warrior: Short on time? This recipe comes together in under an hour, making it a perfect choice for busy weeknights.
- Leftover Magic: Double the batch and enjoy delicious leftovers for lunch or another quick dinner.
- Customize Your Creation: This recipe is easily adaptable! Add your favorite veggies, protein, or herbs to personalize your marinara masterpiece.
- Stretch Your Dollar Further: Leftover marinara doesn’t just mean leftover spaghetti. Use it for dips, pizzas, or even a base for soups and stews.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.
How To Make Spaghetti Marinara With Step-By-Step Instructions
A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
Making the Marinara Sauce (Optional)
In a medium saucepan or Dutch oven, add your San Marzano tomatoes, then add onions and garlic.
Add dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, and extra virgin olive oil, and then stir to combine thoroughly.
Bring the pan to a simmer over medium heat, lower the heat, stir, and then leave to simmer for approximately 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
When cooked, blitz the tomato mixture until you have your preferred consistency.
Making the Spaghetti Marinara
Using the cooking instructions on your spaghetti packet, bring a large pan of salted water to a boil and immerse the spaghetti. Stir to ensure the spaghetti doesn’t stick together.
When the spaghetti is cooked, transfer it to the cooked marinara sauce; if you get a little pasta water in the sauce, then that’s fine.
Toss the spaghetti into the marinara sauce and ensure it is fully coated.
Serve in bowls, with a garnish of freshly chopped basil leaves or a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese.
Recipe Notes and Expert Tips
- Secret Weapon: Red Pepper Flakes: A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a subtle kick to your marinara. Adjust the amount to your spice preference.
- Simmering Secrets: Let your sauce simmer for at least 20 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and develop a richer taste.
- The Power of Pasta Water: Reserve some of your pasta cooking water before draining. Starchy pasta water helps create a silky smooth sauce consistency when added a little at a time.
- Cheese, Please! Grated Parmesan or Romano cheese adds a salty and creamy touch to your finished dish. A sprinkle goes a long way!
- Protein Powerhouse: Turn this into a main course by adding cooked ground beef, sausage, or lentils to your simmering sauce.
Top 3 Money Saving Tips
- Pantry Power: Raid your shelves! This recipe relies on shelf-stable staples like canned crushed tomatoes, dried herbs, and olive oil. Stock up on these ingredients when they’re on sale for a budget-friendly base.
- Pasta Perfection: Stick with affordable dried pasta varieties like spaghetti, penne, or rotini. They cook quickly and pair perfectly with marinara, saving you money on pricier fresh options.
- Bulk Up Your Base: Got leftover roasted veggies hiding in the fridge? Don’t toss them! Finely chop them and add them to your simmering sauce for extra flavor and nutrients without breaking the bank.
How to Store Spaghetti Marinara
Conquered a mountain of marinara and wondering what to do with the leftovers? Don’t worry, that delicious sauce doesn’t have to go to waste! Here are some clever storage solutions to keep your leftover marinara fresh and flavorful for future meals:
- Fridge Friendly: For a quick and easy option, store leftover marinara in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay good for 3-4 days, perfect for a mid-week lunch or another speedy dinner.
- Freeze It for Later: Planning meals for next week? Let your marinara cool completely, then portion it into freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags. Frozen marinara can last for up to 3 months, giving you a delicious and budget-friendly meal starter whenever you need it.
- Think Outside the Spaghetti Pot: Leftover marinara is a flavor powerhouse waiting to be unleashed! Use it for dipping bread, bruschetta toppings, or even as a base for creamy tomato soup. With a little creativity, your leftover marinara can become the star of a whole new dish.
A nice glass of wine is perfect with this dish, sometimes I’ll add a little homemade lavender syrup if I’m in a sweeter mood.
More Easy Recipes for You to Try at Home
If you love our spaghetti marinara, then why not take a look at these tasty pasta dishes.
- Chicken and Corn Pasta
- Pasta Carbonara
- Spaghetti Bolognese
- Copycat Olive Garden Ravioli Carbonara
- Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta
Equipment
- Large pot or Dutch oven
- Saucepan
Ingredients
- 2 ¾ pounds San Maranzo plum tomatoes
- 1 ½ onions finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 16 ounces spaghetti
- Fresh basil leaves optional to garnish
- Vegetarian or vegan Parmesan cheese optional to garnish
Instructions
- If you are making your own marinara sauce, you'll need to do that first. In a medium saucepan or Dutch oven, add your San Marzano tomatoes, then add onions and garlic.2 ¾ pounds San Maranzo plum tomatoes, 1 ½ onions, 3 cloves garlic
- Now add dried oregano, red pepper flakes, olive oil, and then stir to combine thoroughly. Bring the pan to a simmer over medium heat, then lower the heat, stir, and then leave to simmer for approximately 45 minutes1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano, ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Using the cooking instructions on your spaghetti packet, bring a large pan of salted water to a boil and then immerse the spaghetti into it. Stir to ensure the spaghetti doesn't stick together. When the spaghetti is cooked, transfer it to the cooked marinara sauce, if you get a little pasta water in the sauce then that's fine. Toss the spaghetti into the marinara sauce and ensure that it is fully coated. Serve in bowls, with a garnish of fresh basil leaves or a sprinkling of vegetarian or vegan Parmesan cheese16 ounces spaghetti, Fresh basil leaves, Vegetarian or vegan Parmesan cheese
- Perfect pasta – enjoy!
Notes
- Secret Weapon: Red Pepper Flakes: A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a subtle kick to your marinara. Adjust the amount to your spice preference.
- Simmering Secrets: Let your sauce simmer for at least 20 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and develop a richer taste.
- The Power of Pasta Water: Reserve some of your pasta cooking water before draining. Starchy pasta water helps create a silky smooth sauce consistency when added a little at a time.
- Cheese, Please! Grated Parmesan or Romano cheese adds a salty and creamy touch to your finished dish. A sprinkle goes a long way!
- Protein Powerhouse: Turn this into a main course by adding cooked ground beef, sausage, or lentils to your simmering sauce.
Nutrition
Why not try an artichoke pizza from our friends at With Spice?
