6 Ingredient Meatball Marinara Sauce | Whole30 Approved, No Sugar Added
This Meatball Marinara Sauce is only 6 wholesome ingredients, Whole 30 approved, and is way better than store-bought marinara! Full of flavor!
When it comes to store-bought marinara sauce, I’m on the fence. I search the labels to make sure there’s no hidden agenda with added sugar and preservatives. Then after I cook it, it’s just meh.
Not much flavor, super easy to use, and convenient but the flavor is just not there. So recently I made Air Fryer Meatballs and showed them off on Instagram and forgot that I didn’t give you my marinara recipe, my bad.
As mentioned this homemade marinara sauce is only 6 ingredients, has no added sugar, vegan friendly, and is Whole 30 Approved!
This recipe is great for making ahead of time, freezer-friendly, works well when you make more than one batch at a time, and if you are looking for an easy weeknight meal, here it is!
You can easily add this to any meatball recipe, pasta, or even gnocchi! Speaking of gnocchi, I made a Pumpkin Sauce for Gnocchi about a month ago, and it’s delicious! Before you ask where I get my gnocchi from, read about my Trader Joe’s grocery haul! Their gnocchi is the BEST!
The 6 Ingredients You Need For Meatball Marinara Sauce
Canned peeled plum tomatoes with basil – Keep reading to see how to make marinara with fresh tomatoes!
olive oil
onion
garlic
tomato paste
dried oregano
water
salt and pepper
Can You Freeze Marinara Sauce?
Yes! After cooking, be sure to let the marinara sauce cool completely. Then you can store it in the freezer using a Ziploc bag or a mason jar. Depending on the amount of your freezer storage, you may just want to use the Ziploc bag method. Also, store it flat in the bag, this helps to save even more room.
To reheat, simply pour the frozen marinara into a saucepan over low to medium heat and cook until warm. Then serve over your favorite meatballs or pasta!
What’s The Difference Between Marinara Sauce and Spaghetti Sauce?
Typically spaghetti sauce has meat, more ingredients, and extra veggies. Marinara sauce is meant to be a thinner sauce with fewer ingredients. Which you could totally add more vegetables or even meat to the recipe and it would still turn out delicious. There’s no wrong way!
Can You Substitute Canned Tomatoes for Fresh?
Yes! Simply peel the tomatoes and dice. These will need to cook a little longer and your marinara sauce may be slightly chunkier. If you wanted it to be smoother you can always use an immersion blender.
Ways To Use Marinara Sauce
- As a dipping sauce
- On Meatball Subs
- Over Pasta
- Air Fryer Meatballs
- Add To Risotto
- Swap for the meat sauce in lasagna
With this marinara sauce being so versatile, I need to know what you are making! Tag me on Insta @hellospoonful!
PIN ME FOR LATER
Other Favorite Main Course Recipes:
- Whole 30 Stuffed Peppers
- Sweet Potato Chili
- Oven-Baked Keto Turkey Meatballs
- Instant Pot Orange Chicken
- Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala
6 Ingredient No Added Sugar Marinara | Whole30 Approved
Ingredients
- 1 28oz Canned peeled plum tomatoes with basil
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup onion
- 2 tsp garlic
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/3 cup water
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Once onions are browned and soft, add your garlic. Cook for another minute. Add whole tomatoes (with juice) and gently break apart with the spoon.
- Stir in remaining ingredients. Simmer uncovered on low heat for 10-15 minutes or until sauce reaches desired consistency.
- Serve over spaghetti or enjoy in your favorite recipes. Freeze or refrigerate to store.
