20-Minute Italian Crushed Tomato Marinara Sauce Recipe

Name: 20-Minute Italian Crushed Tomato Marinara Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 800g San Marzano crushed tomatoes (or whole peeled crushed by hand); 60ml good quality extra virgin olive oil; 5 cloves garlic, thinly sliced; 1g crushed red pepper flakes & 1 tsp kosher salt; 8 leaves fresh basil leaves, torn

Jump to Recipe Step-by-Step

If you appreciate Italian meals that deliver bold flavor with minimal cleanup, making this 20-Minute Italian Crushed Tomato Marinara Sauce Recipe is sure to become a weekly ritual. By uniting san marzano tomatoes, good quality olive oil and garlic, thinly in just 20 min, every forkful yields that comforting balance of savory richness and rustic Mediterranean warmth.

Ingredients

6 servings

1 can (28 oz) San Marzano crushed tomatoes (or whole peeled crushed by hand)
¼ cup good quality extra virgin olive oil
5 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes & 1 tsp kosher salt
8 leaves fresh basil leaves, torn

Step-by-Step Instructions

Heat olive oil in a wide saucepan over medium-low heat. Add sliced garlic and red pepper flakes; sizzle for 2 minutes until garlic is fragrant and pale golden (do not brown!).

Pour in canned crushed tomatoes and salt. Bring to a gentle simmer, reduce heat to low, and **simmer uncovered for 12 to 15 minutes** until sauce thickens and olive oil infuses the tomatoes.

Remove sauce from heat. Stir in fresh torn basil leaves. Toss with al dente pasta or use for homemade pizza and chicken Parmesan!

💡

Chef Amara’s Kitchen Secrets & Pro Tips

Use San Marzano Style: High quality canned crushed tomatoes have natural sweetness that requires zero added white sugar.
Tear Basil Off the Heat: Adding fresh basil right at the end preserves its sweet aromatic herbal oils.

1. Build Deep Flavor from the Fond: When browning ingredients, scrape up the caramelized golden bits (fond) from the pan bottom with a splash of liquid. That concentrated brown crust is where true savory umami lives. 2. Protect Minced Garlic from Burning: Garlic cooks and turns fragrant in just 30 to 45 seconds. Add it toward the end of sautéing onions or aromatics so it perfumes the dish without acquiring a bitter edge. 3. Chef's Kitchen Secret: Use San Marzano Style: High quality canned crushed tomatoes have natural sweetness that requires zero added white sugar.

Chef’s Cooking Guide & FAQs

🛠️

Troubleshooting & Quick Fixes

▾

What if the Sauce for 20-Minute Italian Crushed Tomato Marinara Sauce Recipe Separates or Feels Greasy?: If a dairy or emulsion sauce breaks, immediately take the pan off direct heat. Vigorously whisk in a tablespoon of hot water, broth, or cream until the velvety sheen re-emulsifies.
How to Rescue a Dish That Tastes Overly Salty?: Dilute with additional unsalted liquid (broth, cream, or water), or splash in a small touch of acid like fresh lemon juice or vinegar to soften sharp salinity.

❄️

Storage, Freezing & Reheating Guidelines

▾

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in a saucepan with a splash of water, broth, or olive oil over low heat until steaming. If freezing pasta bakes or sauces, freeze for up to 3 months and bake from frozen at 350°F.

❓

Frequently Asked Questions

▾

Q: Can I substitute gluten-free pasta? A: Yes, high-quality corn and brown rice pasta holds up wonderfully in this sauce. Cook 1 minute less than package directions to maintain al dente bite.

Q: Can I prepare the sauce in advance? A: Yes, Italian sauces often taste even better the next day as the herbs, garlic, and aromatics meld overnight in the refrigerator.

Home Cook Community

Kitchen Notes & Discussion

Tried this 20-Minute Italian Crushed Tomato Marinara Sauce Recipe? Share your tips, substitutions, or question with fellow home cooks!

Leave a Kitchen Note

💬

Be the first to leave a Kitchen Note!

Have you made this 20-Minute Italian Crushed Tomato Marinara Sauce Recipe? Share your experience, cooking tips, or tweaks below.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (1 of 6)

70 Calories

7g Carbs 3% DV

2g Protein 4% DV

4g Fat 5% DV

2g Fiber 7% DV

340mg Sodium 15% DV

Carbs 41% Protein 11% Fat 48%

*Percent Daily Values (% DV) are based on a 2,000-calorie reference diet (USDA FoodData Central).

Quick Info

Cuisine Italian
Dietary Vegan
Total Time 20 min
Yield 6 servings

Chef Amara

Passionate home cook & certified chef behind YumAroma. Every recipe is tested 3+ times for perfection.

View Full Culinary Bio →

20-Minute Italian Crushed Tomato Marinara Sauce Recipe

Ingredients

Step-by-Step Instructions

Gently Sizzle Garlic in Olive Oil (3 Min)

Pour Crushed Tomatoes & Simmer (12 Min)