This easy marinara dipping sauce comes together quickly to accompany your favorite convenient snacks or appetizers. Made with crushed tomatoes and plenty of garlic, this homemade marinara sauce has the perfect texture that's hearty and chunky without being watery.
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Mozzarella sticks with marinara dipping sauce has always been my favorite appetizer at a restaurant.
To get that restaurant favorite at home, I decided I needed a solid recipe for homemade marinara. It needed to be quick, easy, and have the perfect thick texture that makes dipping so much fun.
This easy marinara sauce checks all the boxes. Crushed tomatoes give it body instead of having big tomatoes in a thin liquid. Onions and garlic ramp up the flavor. An optional sprinkling of crushed red pepper flakes lets you choose if you want it spicy or not.
Ingredients
- Olive oil
- Yellow onion
- Garlic
- Italian seasoning
- Canned crushed toatoes
- Coarse kosher salt
- Freshly fracked black pepper
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
How to make marinara dipping sauce
- Heat the oil in a 2 quart pot over medium heat.
- When the oil is hot, add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
- Add the Italian seasoning and cook, stirring, for 1 minute more.
- Add the tomatoes, salt, and pepper, stir to combine, and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes or up to an hour.
- Serve topped with crushed red pepper flakes if desired in bowls for dipping your favorite appetizers and snacks.
Top tips
Let it simmer
This sauce can be simmered for a minimum of 10 minutes or up to an hour. The longer you let it simmer the thicker and more flavorful it will be. If it starts to get too thick, add a little water to help loosen it up.
What to dip in easy marinara sauce
You can dip anything that sounds good to you, but a few ideas include:
- Mozzarella sticks
- Fried ravioli
- Breadsticks
- Garlic bread
- Garlic knots
- Cheese bread
How to store marinara dipping sauce
Leftover sauce can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze portions for up to 3 months. This recipe makes a large quantity, and it's easy to freeze so you'll always have marinara dipping sauce on hand!
Tips for customizing marinara dipping sauce
- Swap the crushed tomatoes for canned diced tomatoes
- Instead of Italian seasoning, try a mix of your favorite fresh Italian herbs such as oregano and rosemary (use 3 teaspoons of fresh herbs instead of 1 teaspoon dried)
- Use more or less garlic to taste
- Add a pinch of sugar if it is too acidic for you
FAQ
Marinara sauce is a simple tomato sauce that can be used on pizza, pasta, or as a dipping sauce. It is made with simple ingredients and is quick to cook.
Yes, you can use diced tomatoes if you don't have crushed tomatoes. I prefer the texture of the crushed tomatoes. If you also feel this way you can run the marinara sauce through a blender before serving.
Yes, this recipe for easy marinara sauce is both vegan and gluten-free.
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- Honey Simple Syrup
- Spicy BBQ Sauce
- Healthy Taco Seasoning
- Homemade Vanilla Extract
- Roasted Garlic
- Ginger Tahini Dressing
- Vegan Gravy
- Homemade Pesto
If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!
Recipe
Marinara Dipping Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup diced yellow onion
- 3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- Crushed red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a 2 quart pot over medium heat.
- When the oil is hot, add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
- Add the Italian seasoning and cook, stirring, for 1 minute more.
- Add the tomatoes, salt, and pepper, stir to combine, and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes or up to an hour.
- Serve topped with crushed red pepper flakes if desired in bowls for dipping your favorite appetizers and snacks such as mozzarella sticks, fried ravioli, or garlic bread.
Notes
Tips for customizing marinara dipping sauce
- Swap the crushed tomatoes for canned diced tomatoes
- Instead of Italian seasoning, try a mix of your favorite fresh Italian herbs such as oregano and rosemary (use 3 teaspoons of fresh herbs instead of 1 teaspoon dried)
- Use more or less garlic to taste
- Add a pinch of sugar if it is too acidic for you
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