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    Home » Vegan Recipes

    Easy Marinara Sauce (Oil-Free)

    Published Jun 12, 2017 · Updated Dec 13, 2020 · 18 Comments

    1.7K shares
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    This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission. See my disclosure policy.

    JUMP TO RECIPE

    If you're looking for a really simple, vegan marinara sauce - this is your recipe!

    Easy Oil-Free Vegan Marinara Sauce

    Easy Oil-Free Vegan Marinara Sauce

    For some annoying reason, it's hard to find really delicious marinara sauce in a jar that is 1) vegan 2) oil-free 3) and inexpensive. The good news is that marinara sauce is SO EASY to make right in your own kitchen, where you have total and complete control over the ingredients!

    (Seriously though...what is up with companies putting parmesan and milk in their tomato sauces? I can't with that.)

    Easy Oil-Free Vegan Marinara Sauce

    All you need for this recipe is a large can of whole tomatoes, tomato paste, and some common spices you probably already have in your pantry. Other things you'll need: a blender and a sauce pan. This marinara sauce recipe is cheap and you can make big batches to freeze some for later occasions (<---highly recommend doing this!)

    Easy Oil-Free Vegan Marinara Sauce

    Marinara sauce is classic on spaghetti, with vegan stuffed shells, but my favorite recipe to use it on is chickpea meatball subs - OMG SO GOOD. Even my meat-eating husband likes these. Totally hits the spot.

    Sauce tips: I love a super smooth marinara sauce (this is a no-chunks household) but if you like a chunky sauce, simply pulse the ingredients until it's the consistency you like. Or, add some canned diced tomatoes. Don't be afraid to play around with the seasonings either - so many delicious Italian spices out there. These spices just happen to be my personal favorites for marinara. Sometimes I get crazy and add a little oregano instead of marjoram. Nom nom.

    Easy Marinara Sauce (Oil-Free, Vegan)

    4.80 from 25 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Author: Karissa Besaw

    Ingredients

    • 1 16oz can whole tomatoes
    • 2 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 2 teaspoon onion powder
    • ½ teaspoon marjoram
    • ½ teaspoon rosemary
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
    • salt to taste
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    Instructions

    • Blend all ingredients, except for tomato paste and salt. 
    • Pour blended sauce in a pot and bring to a simmer. 
    • Stir in tomato paste.
    • Let the sauce simmer on low for 20 minutes, stirring frequently.
    • Add salt to taste.
    did you make this recipe?please leave a star review and a comment below!

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    About Karissa

    Hey! I’m happy you’re here! My name is Karissa and I’ve been cooking up delicious vegan food since going vegan in 2016. Not vegan and just want to eat more plants? We don't judge - everyone is welcome in our kitchen. Read more...

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    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Kathleen Waldron says

      December 07, 2021 at 7:16 pm

      5 stars
      Simple ingredients, easy, tasty. I won’t be bothering to buy sauce anymore!

      Reply
    2. Tracy P. says

      June 07, 2021 at 2:36 pm

      5 stars
      Perfect! (I added about a third of a teaspoon of brown sugar as I find it takes some of the acidity out of tomatoes)

      Reply
    3. Alocasia says

      May 28, 2021 at 12:09 pm

      Is this amount enough for 8 ounces of pasta?

      Reply
      • Karissa says

        May 28, 2021 at 7:47 pm

        Yes!

        Reply
    4. Cecile Langelier says

      April 16, 2021 at 6:18 pm

      5 stars
      Loved this sauce.... easy and quick to make.

      Reply
    5. Kristi says

      January 04, 2021 at 10:49 am

      Thanks for this recipe! I can’t wait to try it tomorrow night. Super dumb question- I can get a 14.5 oz can of whole tomatoes. Do I drain them first or dump the whole can in, liquid and all?

      Reply
    6. Juli says

      July 11, 2019 at 12:15 pm

      Will the sauce be for one person? And can you make it without the tomatopaste?:)

      Reply
      • Karissa says

        July 11, 2019 at 8:37 pm

        Hi! This sauce will serve about 4...always tough to say though, depending on the usage! Yes, you can leave out the tomato paste.

        Reply
      • Shelby says

        September 09, 2019 at 9:55 am

        Made a huge batch and added fresh basil and nutritional yeast and onion cuz i couldn't find my onion powder lol so good! Also added fresh mushrooms cuz we have to have those in our pasta sauce yum!

        Reply
    7. Michael says

      March 05, 2019 at 7:28 pm

      5 stars
      This was so good. Although quite simple, for nervous-in-the-service cooks like me it was just what I needed to get myself going. No 16 oz. can of tomatoes - no problem! Use the 28 oz. can and add some more spices and tomato paste. No rosemary - no problem! I took your suggestion and substituted oregano. You better believe I'm making this one again. And again. Thanks, Karissa.

      Reply
    8. Mary says

      October 28, 2018 at 7:11 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you for sharing! It’s delcious! It went perfectly with my baked eggplant. I used whole tomatoes instead of canned and omitted the tomato paste. I will never buy another jar of marinara again with this recipe! How long would you think this would last in the fridge before freezing it?

      Reply
      • Karissa says

        October 29, 2018 at 9:38 am

        So glad you enjoyed it! It should last 3-4 days in the fridge.

        Reply
    9. Veronica says

      September 05, 2017 at 12:01 am

      5 stars
      Made stuffed bell peppers tonight and used this recipe for the sauce, it was delicious and added exactly the right flavor and necessary moisture. Thanks so much, looking forward to trying more recipes!

      Reply
      • Karissa says

        September 05, 2017 at 8:25 am

        Sounds delicious!

        Reply
    10. Shannon says

      June 13, 2017 at 10:36 am

      great recipe! I'm working on consuming less oil in my cooking and have been finding it a little challenging so far! But I'm definitely going to try this with my next veggie ball subs 🙂

      Reply
      • Karissa says

        June 14, 2017 at 8:25 am

        Thanks, Shannon!

        Reply
        • Anne says

          April 05, 2018 at 11:10 pm

          5 stars
          Can you use fresh tomatoes? If so, how many?

        • Karissa says

          April 06, 2018 at 1:54 pm

          I haven't tried it, but probably about 2 cups worth.

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