Easy Marinara Sauce for Dipping
My simple marinara sauce can be your trusted go-to dip for any occasion. It combines tomato passata, garlic, and herbs in a thick sauce with a lovely flavor.
You can serve it with my mozzarella sticks, crispy chicken tenders, breadsticks, and much more! Most people enjoy tomato-based sauces, so if you need to keep things less adventurous for your celebration or gathering, this can be a great option.
Ingredients List
To make my marinara sauce, you’ll need the following:
- Tomato Passata – 2 cups of plain tomato passata
- Tomato Paste – 1 tbsp of tomato paste
- Garlic – 1 large clove of garlic, minced
- Dried Oregano – 1 tsp dried oregano
- Garlic Powder – 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- Onion Powder – 1/4 tsp onion powder
- Chili Flakes – 1/4 tsp chili flakes
- Olive Oil – 1 tbsp olive oil
- Lemon Zest – zest from one lemon
- Sugar – 1/2 tsp sugar
- Salt – 1/2 tsp kosher salt (plus more to taste)
- Pepper – 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- Fresh Basil – a hanfdul of fresh basil (about 3 tbsp finely chopped basil)
Sauce Instructions
Step 1 – Add the olive oil to a pot over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the minced garlic and fry for 15 seconds.
Step 2 – Add the tomato paste, frying for 15 seconds. Then, add the remaining ingredients (except the fresh basil): tomato passata, dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, sugar, chili flakes, lemon zest, salt, and pepper.
Step 3 – Bring the mixture to a boil and then lower the heat down so the sauce is just simmering. Cover with a lid or splash guard so the tomato sauce doesn’t splash everywhere on the stove and in the kitchen. Simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 4 – After simmering the sauce for 20 minutes, add the finely chopped fresh basil. Let it sit and cool down a bit. Once it’s no longer hot, taste and add more salt to preference.
Great Dipping Options
Mozzarella sticks and marinara sauce are a match for the ages! Coating a crispy, gooey mozzarella stick in sweet, tart marinara sauce is comfort food at its finest!
Other breaded treats, like my chicken tenders, would also work well.
More Dips You Could Serve
When it comes to appetizers and dips, I say the more, the merrier! When you’re hosting a big group, the food will go very quickly.
You could serve up both my roasted pepper hummus and dill yogurt eggplant dip and serve with a big side of pita or sliced bread.
My lemon basil aioli is another that can be made in minutes. This goes well with my crispy fried artichokes.
I would love to know what combinations you put together for your dinner party. Let me know in the comments which ones your guests devoured first!
All-in-One Recipe Card
Marinara Sauce (for Dipping)
Ingredients
- 2 cups of plain tomato passata
- 1 tbsp of tomato paste
- 1 large clove of garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp chili flakes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- zest from one lemon
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt (plus more to taste)
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 3 tbsp finely chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Add the olive oil to a pot over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the minced garlic and sauté/fry it for 15 seconds.
- Add the tomato paste, sautéing for 15 seconds. Then, add the remaining ingredients (except the fresh basil): tomato passata, dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, sugar, chili flakes, lemon zest, salt, and pepper.
- Bring the mixture to a boil and then lower the heat so the sauce is just simmering. Cover with a lid or splash guard so the tomato sauce doesn’t splash everywhere on the stove and in the kitchen. Simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- After simmering the sauce for 20 minutes, add the finely chopped fresh basil. Let it sit and cool down a bit. Once it’s no longer hot, taste and add more salt to preference.
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Don’t forget to save my quick marinara sauce recipe for one of your dinner parties or appetizer boards. Recipes like these are great to have on-hand when you need to plan lots of dishes.
