Easy Marinara Dipping Sauce Recipe (Quick Simple Dip)
This Easy Marinara Dipping Sauce Recipe (Quick Simple Dip) is the perfect accompaniment for a variety of foods like roasted ravioli, arancini, mozzarella sticks, and garlic bread! Made with some simple ingredients, this tomato sauce is flavorful and the perfect dipping sauce for any yummy snack!
A little bit of grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese! Oh, and don’t forget the fresh basil! Although this recipe was developed for dipping purposes (hello pizza bites and zucchini fries), it’s also a foolproof homemade marinara sauce that can be used as pasta sauce or pizza sauce! If you love tomato sauce, try my San Marzano tomato sauce, too!
Ingredients
- Crushed Tomatoes – Crushed tomatoes form the base of the sauce, providing a rich tomato flavor and texture. Opt for high-quality canned crushed tomatoes with no added sugar or preservatives for the best taste. San Marzano tomatoes are often recommended for their sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Tomato Paste – Tomato paste adds concentrated tomato flavor and helps to thicken the sauce. Cook the tomato paste for a minute or two after adding it to the pan to deepen its flavor and remove any raw taste.
- Dried Oregano and Basil – Crush dried herbs between your fingers before adding them to the sauce to release their essential oils and enhance their flavor. If possible, use freshly dried herbs for the best taste.
- Red Pepper Flakes – Red pepper flakes add a hint of heat and depth to the sauce.
- Grated Parmigiano Reggiano – Parmigiano Reggiano adds a rich, savory flavor and creamy texture to the sauce. Stir in the grated Parmigiano Reggiano off the heat to prevent it from becoming grainy.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1: Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
Add minced garlic and the halved onion to the pan and sauté until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
Step 2: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another 1-2 minutes to allow it to caramelize slightly
Step 3: Pour in the can of crushed tomatoes and stir well. Add dried oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low.
Step 4: Let the sauce simmer for about 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your desired consistency.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Once done, remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
Remove the onion and discard. Stir in the grated Parmigiano Reggiano until it’s fully incorporated.
Tips and Notes
- Taste as You Go – Taste the sauce as it cooks and adjust the seasoning accordingly. Remember, you can always add more salt, pepper, or herbs, but you can’t take them away.
- Texture Matters – Pay attention to the texture of the sauce. Simmer it until it reaches your desired thickness, but be careful not to overcook it, as this can lead to a sauce that’s too thick or overly concentrated.
Did you try this recipe? I’d love to see it! Tag @alliehagerty on Instagram and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review below!
Easy Marinara Dipping Sauce Recipe (Quick Simple Dip)
Equipment
- Medium saucepan
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- cutting board
- Knife
- measuring spoons
- can opener
- Grater (for Parmigiano Reggiano, if not pre-grated)
- Airtight container for storage (if applicable)
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 halved onion
- 1 can crushed tomatoes (28 ounces)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3 tablespoons grated Parmigiano Reggiano
- a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat optional
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and the halved onion to the pan and sauté until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another 1-2 minutes to allow it to caramelize slightly.
- Pour in the can of crushed tomatoes and stir well. Add dried oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low.
- Let the sauce simmer for about 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your desired consistency.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Once done, remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- Remove the onion and discard.
- Stir in the grated Parmigiano Reggiano until it’s fully incorporated.
Notes
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Storage – Refrigerate the cooled marinara dipping sauce in an airtight container for up to 5-7 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Consider portioning it into smaller containers for easy thawing.
- Reheating – Thaw frozen sauce overnight in the refrigerator or use the microwave’s defrost setting. Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between. Adjust the consistency with water or broth if needed and refresh the seasoning as desired.
I made these for mozzarella sticks and the sauce was perfect!
Made this last night w/turkey meatballs over fresh fettuccine. Delicious.
So yummy – made this for chicken parm sliders!
How long will this keep?
Hi Darla, Allie here! Below are storage instructions for this easy marinara. You can find them in the future at the “Storage and Reheating Instructions” section of the post:
Storage – Refrigerate the cooled marinara dipping sauce in an airtight container for up to 5-7 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Consider portioning it into smaller containers for easy thawing.
Reheating – Thaw frozen sauce overnight in the refrigerator or use the microwave’s defrost setting. Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between. Adjust the consistency with water or broth if needed and refresh the seasoning as desired.
Why do u discard the onion couldn’t u just blend it with a hand blender
You can if you want to! That’s totally optional, I don’t do it because I find that the flavor has imparted enough. But for extra oomph, you certainly could! Just my personal preference and I know that not everyone has a hand blender. Hope you have a great day 🙂