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    Home » Recipes » Pasta

    Sweet Basil Marinara Sauce (oil-free, vegan)

    Published: Mar 13, 2021 · Modified: Apr 22, 2022 by Abi Cowell · As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases · See my privacy policy linked in footer · This blog uses cookies

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    pinterest image

    Fresh and flavorful, this sweet basil marinara sauce is begging to be tossed with spaghetti and slurped up tonight. It's delicious as a oil-free marinara dipping sauce, as a pasta sauce or a base for lasagna.

    Jump to:
    • 🧄 Ingredient notes
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • ❓ FAQ
    • 🔄 Variations
    • 🗺 Cultural influences
    • 💜 More recipes you'll love
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews
    fork digging into spaghetti

    If you love the Classico brand sweet basil pasta sauce, then you'll enjoy this homemade copycat version, minus the oil.

    🧄 Ingredient notes

    To make this tomato pasta sauce without oil, you'll need the following ingredients:

    • canned crushed tomatoes
    • sweet yellow onion
    • garlic cloves
    • carrot
    • dried basil or fresh basil leaves
    • sea salt and black pepper

    🔪 Instructions

    closeup of tomato sauce

    ❓ FAQ

    How should I store homemade marinara sauce?

    Transfer marinara sauce to glass jars or containers, allow to cool, then store in refrigerator for up to 5 days. Freeze up to 3 months. If freezing, leave an inch of space at the top of container to allow for expanding.

    Can you make spaghetti without oil?

    Yes! You'll save a lot of calories by preparing your spaghetti without oil. Cook your noodles in salted water, drain well then toss spaghetti in oil-free pasta sauce. No oil needed. Enjoy!

    How can I make tomato pasta sauce without oil?

    Saute your onions and garlic in a small amount of water to prevent sticking or burning, instead of using oil. You'll save 100-400 calories just by making this simple switch.

    How do you sweeten marinara sauce?

    Use sweet onions and diced carrot, which will both add natural sweetness to your marinara sauce. To sweeten more, add a teaspoon or two of brown sugar, coconut sugar or cane sugar.

    What's the difference between marinara and marinara sauce?

    They are the same thing.

    Is marinara supposed to be sweet?

    Marinara sauce should be slightly sweet, but not overly sweet.

    🔄 Variations

    Mushroom marinara sauce

    After cooking onions, carrot and garlic, add 2 cups of sliced white button or baby portabella mushrooms to pan and cook for 3-4 minutes. Then, add crushed tomatoes and follow instructions.

    Check out the full recipe for Spaghetti with Hearty Mushroom Marinara Sauce!

    Lentil spaghetti sauce

    Cook brown lentils (whole masoor lentils from the Indian grocery store are my favorite) in water until just tender (not falling apart). Then, add cooked lentils, a vegan "beef" bouillon cube and dried oregano to sweet basil marinara sauce while simmering.

    Zucchini mushroom marinara sauce

    After cooking onions, carrot and garlic, add 1 cup of sliced white button or baby portabella mushrooms and 1 cup of chopped zucchini to pan and cook for 3-4 minutes. Then, add crushed tomatoes and follow instructions.

    Spicy marinara sauce

    Add crushed red chili flakes or Aleppo pepper to the sauce to spice it up and enjoy more of an arrabbiata sauce without oil.

    spaghetti in bowl

    🗺 Cultural influences

    Although no one really knows, marinara sauce is thought to have originated from Neopolitan mariners or sailors. Traditionally, it is made with tomatoes, garlic, basil, olive oil and salt, though additions of other herbs, black pepper and red chili flakes are common.

    finished sauce

    💜 More recipes you'll love

    If you love this easy homemade marinara sauce recipe, then check out my other Italian-inspired vegan, plant-based recipes!

    • Conchiglie Pasta in Cauliflower Béchamel Sauce with Kale and Corn
    • Spaghetti with Hearty Mushroom Marinara Sauce
    • Gemelli Pasta with Pesto, Cherry Tomatoes and Spinach
    • Angel Hair Pasta Primavera with Asparagus and Peas (vegan)

    Love this recipe? Please rate it 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below in the recipe card. And, if you make it, please tag me on Instagram or Facebook in your posted photos! I would love to see your creations. 😄

    📖 Recipe

    pot of sauce

    Sweet Basil Marinara Sauce (oil-free, vegan)

    Abi Cowell
    Fresh and flavorful, this sweet basil tomato sauce is begging to be tossed with spaghetti and slurped up tonight. It's delicious as a oil-free marinara dipping sauce, as a pasta sauce or a base for lasagna.
    5 from 3 votes
    Estimated Cost: $2
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe!
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 45 mins
    Total Time 50 mins
    Course Sauces and Condiments
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 4
    Calories 109 kcal

    Equipment

    • Dutch oven or medium sauce pan
    • Santoku knife or chef's knife
    • Cutting board
    • Can opener
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 sweet yellow onion diced
    • 1 carrot minced
    • 4-5 cloves garlic minced or crushed
    • 28 ounces crushed tomatoes canned
    • ½ teaspoon dried basil or ½ cup fresh basil, packed and leaves torn
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt
    • ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
    • 2 teaspoons brown sugar optional, can omit or substitute coconut sugar

    Instructions
     

    • Heat a sauce pan or dutch oven over medium heat.
    • Sauté onions, carrot and garlic until onions are translucent. Stir frequently, adding a tablespoon of water as needed to prevent sticking or burning.
    • Add crushed tomatoes, basil, salt, pepper and sugar (if using). Turn heat to medium low and stir every few minutes to prevent it from burning on the bottom. Once the tomatoes are heated through, reduce heat to low and cover loosely with lid, leaving a vent for steam to escape.
    • Simmer for at least 30 minutes (or up to 60 minutes, if you have the time).
    • Toss with 1 pound of cooked spaghetti. Or, enjoy as a dipping sauce for bread, base for lasagna or other dishes that require a delicious marinara sauce.

    Notes

    Optional additions:
    • sliced white or baby portabello mushrooms
    • zucchini or yellow squash
    • eggplant
    • red chili flakes
    • dried oregano
    • brown sugar or coconut sugar, to tame acidity of tomatoes

    Nutrition

    Serving: 8ouncesCalories: 109kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 4gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 571mgPotassium: 748mgFiber: 5gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 2977IUVitamin C: 24mgCalcium: 100mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword sweet basil marinara sauce (oil-free, vegan)
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    About Abi Cowell

    Hey y'all! I’m the plant-based food blogger, recipe developer, photographer and cooking class instructor behind Very Veganish. Join me as we explore and taste incredible plant-based food, with cultural influences from around the world. You’ll find healthy comfort food vegan recipes and inspiration here. When I'm not cooking, you'll find me homeschooling my two boys, volunteering and trying to survive the Texas summers with copious glasses of iced tea.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Laura says

      August 06, 2022 at 7:11 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe for sweet basil marinara is delicious! I really like that there is no oil and I get to adjust the spices to my liking. I can keep the salt low. Very easy to prepare. Thank you so much!

      Reply
      • Abi Cowell says

        August 08, 2022 at 12:56 am

        I'm so glad to hear you like it as much as our family does, Laura. Thanks for taking the time to comment!

        - Abi 🙂

        Reply

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    Hi! I'm Abi, a plant-based food blogger. Join me as we explore cultures of the world through their food. You'll find healthy comfort food recipes and inspiration here. No judgment. Just food.

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