Easy Olive Garden Marinara Sauce

Delicious Easy Olive Garden Marinara Sauce recipe made from scratch with tomatoes, garlic, and Italian herbs. Perfect for pasta, dipping, or as a versatile Italian sauce. This is the best copycat marinara sauce recipe!

A homemade spaghetti sauce recipe is a staple in any good Italian household. It’s not just about the sauce, but also about how it’s made and what goes into it.

If you love making your favorite restaurant recipes at home, from scratch, you will love this recipe, it’s so good!

My grandmother, sorry Olive Garden, made the most perfect sauce, and this one while amazing, My grandmother’s is incredible.

I hope while you are here, you can try my recipe for Copycat Olive Garden Lasagna, or Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta.

Why You Will Love This Easy Olive Garden Marinara Sauce Recipe!

• Authentic Italian Flavor: Tastes just like Olive Garden’s classic marinara, rich and savory.
• Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry staples like tomatoes, garlic, and herbs—no complicated steps.
• Versatile Sauce: Perfect for pasta, dipping breadsticks, or topping meatballs and pizzas.
• Quick & Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for weeknight dinners.
• Customizable: Adjust herbs, garlic, or spice to suit your personal taste.

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Olive Oil: Adds rich, smooth flavor to the tomato sauce.
• Garlic: Provides bold, aromatic flavor to enhance the sauce.
• Onion: Sweet and savory base for the marinara sauce.
• Crushed Tomatoes: Creates a thick, flavorful, classic Italian tomato sauce.
• Tomato Paste: Intensifies tomato flavor for a richer, deeper sauce.
• Dried Oregano: Adds earthy, warm Italian herb notes to sauce.
• Dried Basil: Brings fragrant, sweet herb flavor to the sauce.
• Salt: Balances flavors and enhances overall taste of sauce.
• Black Pepper: Adds mild heat and depth to tomato sauce.
• Red Pepper Flakes (optional): Gives subtle spicy kick if desired.
• Sugar (optional): Balances acidity of tomatoes for smoother flavor.

How To Make Easy Olive Garden Marinara Sauce

Step One: Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped garlic and onion, sautéing until fragrant and translucent.

Step Two: Stir in crushed tomatoes and tomato paste, mixing until fully combined. dd dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir to incorporate.

Step Three: Add dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir to incorporate. Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 20–30 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld and thicken.

Step Four: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Add a pinch of sugar if the sauce tastes too acidic. Serve immediately over pasta, use in lasagna, or store for later use. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.

Olive Garden Marinara Sauce Recipe Tips

• Use high-quality canned tomatoes – Whole peeled tomatoes or San Marzano tomatoes give the richest flavor.
• Don’t skip sautéing the aromatics – Cooking the garlic and onions first brings out a deeper, sweeter flavor.
• Simmer low and slow – Allowing the sauce to gently simmer helps the flavors meld and prevents burning.
• Balance acidity – A pinch of sugar or a splash of grated carrot can help tame overly acidic tomatoes.
• Fresh herbs at the end – Add fresh basil or parsley after cooking for a bright, aromatic finish.
• Make ahead – This sauce tastes even better the next day, and it freezes well for easy future meals.

Storing, Freezing & Reheating Instructions

• Storing: Keep leftover marinara sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Ensure the sauce has cooled to room temperature before sealing to maintain freshness.
• Freezing: Pour the cooled sauce into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Freeze for up to 3 months, leaving some space for expansion.
• Reheating: Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. You can also microwave in a covered microwave-safe dish, stirring halfway for even heating.

Easy Olive Garden Marinara Sauce Recipe Faqs

Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned? Yes! Use ripe, peeled tomatoes and blend them to achieve a smooth consistency. You may need to cook the sauce slightly longer to thicken.

Can I make this sauce in advance? Absolutely! This marinara sauce tastes even better when made ahead, as the flavors have time to meld. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for later use.

How can I thicken my marinara sauce? Simmer the sauce longer on low heat to naturally thicken it. You can also add a small pinch of tomato paste if needed.

Can I make this sauce spicy? Yes! Add extra red pepper flakes while cooking to give the sauce more heat. Adjust according to your taste preference.

Is this sauce suitable for pasta, pizza, or other dishes? Definitely! This versatile sauce works great for pasta, pizza, lasagna, or as a dipping sauce.

Can I use this sauce in a slow cooker? Yes! Sauté the garlic and onions first, then add the remaining ingredients and cook on low for 4–6 hours for a rich, slow-cooked flavor.

More Copycat Olive Garden Recipes

• olive garden chicken scampi
• olive garden chicken tortellini alfredo recipe
• olive garden stuffed ziti fritta
• olive garden chicken marsala recipe
• olive garden creamy garlic sauce
• air fryer copycat olive garden chocolate lasagna
• air fryer olive garden copycat lasagna fritta
• air fryer copycat olive garden shrimp alfredo
• air fryer copycat olive garden chicken parmigiana
• air fryer olive garden toasted ravioli
• instant pot copycat olive garden spinach artichoke dip
• air fryer olive garden fried mozzarella

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