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    Home » Gluten-free Sauces

    Gluten-free Marinara Sauce

    Mar 9, 2022 · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    This Homemade Marinara Sauce Recipe is naturally gluten-free, uses pantry ingredients, comes together quickly, and you can use it in all of your favorite gluten-free Italian recipes. This gluten-free marinara sauce is perfect for Sunday dinner or during the busy work week. The best part is making a double or triple batch to freeze for future dinners!

    gluten-free marinara sauce in a sauce pan with a spoon.

    I don’t mind purchasing high-quality pasta sauces – I’ve done it many times. However, the problem is that you will pay top dollar for clean and organic marinara sauces; and you still need to worry about cross-contamination if it’s not certified gluten-free.

    Also, there are many times I forget to purchase a jar of gluten-free spaghetti sauce or marinara and have gluten-free chicken parmesan, gluten-free eggplant parmesan, or gluten-free baked ziti on the menu. So, instead of running to the store, I’llI’ll whip a pan of this homemade marinara sauce. 

    Reasons you’ll love this recipe.

    • It uses pantry ingredients. All you need are canned crushed tomatoes, olive oil, Italian seasoning, onions, garlic, and red wine. The wine is optional, but I’ll talk more about that in a minute.
    • Delicious flavor in less than 45 minutes. This sauce doesn’t need to simmer all day to get that deep rich flavor. 
    • You can use it in various Italian recipes. This sauce will work perfectly in any recipe that calls for jarred marinara or spaghetti sauce.
    • Naturally gluten-free and vegan. No sneaky ingredients when you make homemade marinara sauce.
    • Make-ahead. This recipe comes together fast, but it also can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for the week or frozen to use in future recipes. 

    Ingredients

    overhead picture of ingredients to make gluten-free marinara sauce.

    Canned crushed tomatoes. My favorite way to make homemade marinara is with all crushed tomatoes, it’s the perfect texture and flavor. However, you can use a mix of crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato puree, and tomato sauce. I typically save the tomato sauce and puree for Sunday Sauce. But, use what you have on hand.

    Regardless, I highly recommend using San Marzano tomatoes for the best flavor. San Marzano tomatoes are plum tomatoes grown in the Valle de Sarno region of Italy. They are rich in flavor, have a tender texture, and are not as acidic as other tomatoes. But, don’t worry, any high-quality canned tomato products will work.

    White onion, fresh garlic, and extra virgin olive oil. This is the foundation of any marinara sauce recipe.

    Dry red wine. I’ve made marinara sauce many times without red wine, but I prefer using it to give the sauce a rich flavor. However, leave the red wine out if you prefer no alcohol. I use the Josh Cellars brand, which is gluten-free.

    Italian dry herbs. I love using homemade Italian seasoning, but a mix of Italian spices will work; I like dried basil and oregano.

    Red pepper flakes give the marinara sauce a spicy kick.

    Supplies

    • 3 quart sauce pan
    • Large spoon

    How to Make Gluten-free Marinara Sauce

    step by step collage showing how to make gluten-free marinara sauce.
    • Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until it’s fragrant and translucent.
    • Stir in the garlic with the onions and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic. If you notice that the garlic is starting to brown, lower the heat and move on to the next step.
    • Pour in the wine and cook for 3-4 minutes or until the liquid reduces by half.
    • Carefully stir in the tomatoes and seasonings and bring the sauce to a boil. Be careful because the sauce might splatter as it boils.
    • Reduce the heat to low and simmer the sauce for 30 – 45 minutes or until the sauce turns a rich dark red. Stir the sauce occasionally to keep from burning.
    • Remove from the heat. If you’re using, stir in the fresh basil.
    cooked marinara sauce in a sauce pan.

    Serving suggestions

    You can use this easy marinara sauce in various Italian recipes.

    • Keep it simple and use it on your favorite gluten-free pasta with some Parmesan Cheese.
    • Pour some in a ramekin and use as a dipping sauce for gluten-free garlic bread or gluten-free mozzarella sticks.
    • Use in place of spaghetti sauce in all your favorite Italian recipes.
    • Simmer with gluten-free meatballs.
    • We love this gluten-free pizza sauce recipe, but if you’re out, then this homemade gluten-free marinara sauce is a delicious swap to use on your favorite crust.

    Storage Tips

    How Long Does Homemade Marinara Sauce Last in the Refrigerator?

    To prepare this gluten-free marinara sauce for the week, let it cool to room temperature. Then put it into an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 4 days.

    Reheat it up on the stove or in the microwave.

    Can Homemade Marinara Sauce be Frozen?

    There are a couple of ways to freeze the sauce. First, you need to let it cool to room temperature. Then either –

    1. Pour the sauce into airtight containers and freeze. If you use this method, make sure to leave about 1-inch from the top to allow for expansion.
    2. Freeze into blocks using silicone trays like Souper Cubes. After the sauce is frozen, remove the blocks from the tray, put them into a freezer bag, and freeze.
    3. Portion out the sauce into small or large freezer bags. Roll the bags out flat and flash freeze on a baking sheet or lay flat in the freezer. After the sauce is frozen, place the bags wherever they fit in the freezer.
    Overhead picture of marinara sauce in a saucepan with a spoon.

    Cooking Tips

    • Dice the onion to your liking. I like small onion pieces in my sauce, so I finely dice the onion. But if you want a chunkier sauce, roughly chop the onion into larger pieces. 
    • Measure the onion before adding it to the recipe. One of the things I did when first making the homemade marinara sauce was I used any size onion. If it were a large onion, there would be more onion in the sauce and vice versa. Onions release a sweetness into the sauce, so the more onion you use, the sweeter the sauce will be. I wouldn’t say I like a very sweet sauce, so I find that ¼ cup or less of finely minced white onion gives a well-balanced flavor without adding an extra sweet taste. However, use the amount of onion to suit your taste.
    • You can use onion powder if you don’t like raw onions. Yes, I know onions are a staple in marinara sauce, but not everyone wants onions. If you’re one of those people, then you can swap 1-2 tablespoons of onion powder for raw onion. Stir this in after pouring the tomatoes into the pan.
    • Don’t use cooking wine. If you wouldn’t drink it, don’t use it in the sauce. The best-tasting sauce uses high-quality red wine, and my favorite wine to use is Cabernet, Merlot, or Pinot Noir.
    • San Marzano tomatoes have the best flavor. I highly recommend splurging on canned San Marzanos. You can locate them with the other canned tomatoes; I’ve mostly seen crushed or diced. As I said, San Marzano is a type of plum tomato that is less acidic and has a rich, delicious tomato flavor. They can elevate any Italian sauce recipe. 
    • Stir in fresh basil. I don’t use fresh basil every time I make this sauce, but if it’s summertime or I find some on sale, I’ll stir in a small amount to add fresh flavor. You can also use your fresh parsley to add brightness to the sauce.
    • Bulk up the veggies with diced carrots and celery. Carrots will add extra sweetness to the marinara sauce, so adjust the other ingredients if you need to. 
    • If you prefer a smooth sauce, use an immersion blender to get a smooth consistency.

    FAQs

    How to thicken homemade marinara sauce?

    The marinara sauce will thicken as it cooks down. However, if you want a thicker marinara sauce, stir in two tablespoons to 1/4 cup of tomato paste with the other tomatoes.

    How do you make a creamy marinara sauce?

    For a creamy marinara sauce, stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream or half and half for a lower fat option.

    Other Gluten-free Italian Sauces

    • Gluten-free Alfredo Sauce
    • Sunday Sauce
    • Arrabiata sauce
    • Pesto Genovese
    • Creamy Vodka Sauce
    • Ragu Alla Bolognese
    • GF Pizza Sauce

    See all of my other gluten-free sauces.

    gluten-free marinara sauce recipe

    Gluten-free Marinara Sauce

    Tammy OverhoffTammy Overhoff
    This Homemade Marinara Sauce Recipe is naturally gluten-free, uses pantry ingredients, comes together quickly, and you can use it in all of your favorite gluten-free Italian recipes. This gluten-free marinara sauce is perfect for Sunday dinner or during the busy work week. The best part is making a double or triple batch to freeze for future dinners!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 45 mins
    Total Time 55 mins
    Course dinner, dinner recipe, Main Course
    Cuisine American, Italian
    Servings 6 people
    Calories 137 kcal

    Equipment

    • Sharp knife
    • Cutting board
    • 3 quart saucepan
    • Large spoon

    Ingredients
      

    • 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1/4 cup finely minced white onions
    • 4-6 garlic cloves
    • 1/4 cup dry red wine Cabernet, merlot, or Pinot Nior
    • 2 28 ounce cans of San Marzano Crushed tomatoes
    • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
    • red pepper flakes to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until it's fragrant and translucent. 
    • Stir in the garlic with the onions and cook for another 1-2 minutes on medium to medium low until the garlic is fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic. If you notice that the garlic is starting to brown, lower the heat and move on to the next step.
    • Pour in the wine and cook for 3-4 minutes or until the liquid reduces by half.
    • Carefully stir in the tomatoes and seasonings and bring the sauce to a boil. Be careful because the sauce might splatter as it boils.
    • Reduce the heat to low and simmer the sauce for 30 – 45 minutes or until the sauce turns a rich dark red. Stir the sauce occasionally to keep from burning.
    • Remove from the heat and use in your favorite Italian recipes.

    Notes

    This recipe makes around 6 cups of sauce. The nutritional information is for 1-cup.
    Storage Tips
    How Long Does Homemade Marinara Sauce Last in the Refrigerator?
    To prepare this gluten-free marinara sauce for the week, let it cool to room temperature. Then put it into an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
    Reheat it up on the stove or in the microwave.
    Can Homemade Marinara Sauce be Frozen?
    There are a couple of ways to freeze the sauce. First, you need to let it cool to room temperature. Then either –
    1. Pour the sauce into airtight containers and freeze. If you use this method, make sure to leave about 1-inch from the top to allow for expansion.
    2. Freeze into blocks using silicone trays like Souper Cubes. After the sauce is frozen, remove the blocks from the tray, put them into a freezer bag, and freeze.
    3. Portion out the sauce into small or large freezer bags. Roll the bags out flat and flash freeze on a baking sheet or lay flat in the freezer. After the sauce is frozen, place the bags wherever they fit in the freezer.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 137kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 5gFat: 3gSodium: 263mgFiber: 6gSugar: 11g
    Keyword easy marinara sauce, gluten-free marinara sauce, homemade marinara sauce
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Did you try this recipe yet?

    Have you tried this Gluten-free Marinara Sauce recipe yet? If so, I’d love for you to rate this recipe and leave a comment below. We all learn from each other’s experiences. Also, it would be awesome if you could share a picture on Instagram and tag it #glutenfreeitalianeats. I can’t wait to see it.

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    Hi, I'm Tammy! Welcome to Gluten free Italian eats. I’m thrilled to have you here. Gluten free Italian Eats is a trusted resource for gluten-free Italian recipes. I share everything from restaurant-inspired recipes to the homemade Italian classics you remember eating around the Sunday dinner table all made gluten free. You'll also find shopping guides and cooking tips.

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