How to Make Spicy Marinara Sauce

Made with tomatoes, fresh chilies, aromatic garlic, and a splash of white wine, this sauce adds a delicious kick to any pasta dish.

Let’s eat. You know we’re both hungry.

I’d like to say it’s delicious and then just finish this article. But, this sauce deserves more than that.

Let’s just start with…it has the perfect consistency. You’re gonna want to rub it all over everything – because it’s so right. It’s rich, saucy, spicy and so savory – I know you’ll love it like you love your first born child.

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No more sugar, no more sweet sauces – just a rich, savory and spicy sauce – just the way we all like it.

Enjoy!


How to Make Spicy Marinara Sauce


Prepare the Ingredients

  1. Chop and Dice:
    • Finely chop 1-2 fresh red chilies.
    • Mince garlic if using fresh garlic.
    • Finely dice ½ cup onion.

Sauté the Aromatics

  1. Heat the Oil:
    • In a large saucepan, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat.
  2. Cook the Onions:
    • Add the finely diced onion to the saucepan and sauté for about 5 minutes until they become translucent.
  3. Add Garlic and Chilies:
    • Stir in 1 tbsp minced garlic and the chopped fresh chilies. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.

Build the Sauce

  1. Add Tomato Paste:
    • Stir in 1 can tomato paste and cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the tomato paste to caramelize slightly.
  2. Deglaze with Wine:
    • Pour in ½ cup white wine, stirring to deglaze the pan and incorporate all the flavors.
  3. Add Diced Tomatoes:
    • Add the 2 cans of diced tomatoes with their juices. Stir well to combine.
  4. Season the Sauce:
    • Add 1 tbsp dried parsley, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tbsp red pepper flakes, 1 tsp salt, and ¼ tsp ground black pepper. Stir to combine.

Simmer the Sauce

  1. Bring to a Simmer:
    • Increase the heat to medium-high to bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
  2. Simmer and Reduce:
    • Once simmering, reduce the heat to low and let the sauce cook for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it has thickened to your desired consistency.

Finish and Serve

  1. Taste and Adjust:
    • Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Add more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes to taste.
  2. Serve:
    • Remove the sauce from heat and let it cool slightly before serving over pasta, as a pizza base, or in any recipe that calls for marinara sauce.

Recipe Notes

  • Spiciness Adjustment: Adjust the amount of fresh chilies and red pepper flakes to control the heat level.
  • Fresh Herbs: Substitute dried herbs with fresh ones for a brighter flavor. Use 3 times the amount of fresh herbs as dried.
  • Wine Substitution: If you prefer not to use wine, substitute with chicken or vegetable broth.


Spicy Marinara Sauce FAQ

Q: Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned diced tomatoes?
A: Yes, fresh tomatoes can be used. Opt for ripe, flavorful varieties like Roma or San Marzano. Blanch them to remove skins, then chop finely. You may need to adjust cooking time to achieve the desired consistency.

Q: Is there a non-alcoholic substitute for white wine in the recipe?
A: Absolutely. You can substitute white wine with an equal amount of vegetable broth, chicken broth, or even water with a splash of lemon juice or white vinegar to maintain acidity.

Q: How can I adjust the spiciness of the sauce?
A: To make the sauce milder, reduce or omit the red pepper flakes and fresh chilies. For extra heat, increase the quantities or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.

Q: Can I make this sauce ahead of time?
A: Yes, the sauce can be prepared in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It also freezes well for up to 3 months.

Q: Is this sauce suitable for vegan diets?
A: Yes, the recipe is vegan-friendly as it contains no animal products.

Q: Can I add meat to this sauce?
A: Certainly. Brown ground beef, sausage, or turkey separately and add it to the sauce during the simmering stage for a lovely meat sauce.

Q: How can I make the sauce smoother?
A: For a smoother texture, use an immersion blender to puree the sauce to your desired consistency after it has simmered.

Q: Are there any herbs I can add for extra flavor?
A: Fresh basil, thyme, or rosemary can enhance the flavor. Add them during the last 10 minutes of simmering to retain their aromatic qualities.


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How to Make Spicy Marinara Sauce


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5 from 5 reviews

  • Author: Kristi Kaiser
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 4
  • Diet: Gluten-Free, Omnivore

Description

A vibrant sauce with a kick! Perfect for pasta or pizza, this recipe is quick and flavorful.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 cans (29 oz) (820 g) diced tomatoes
  • 1 can (6 oz) (170 g) tomato paste
  • 1-2 fresh red chilies
  • 1 tbsp dried parsley
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tbsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp ground black pepper
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 0.5 cups (75 g) finely diced onion
  • 0.5 cups (120 ml) white wine

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Ingredients
  2. Finely chop 1-2 fresh red chilies.
  3. Mince garlic if using fresh garlic.
  4. Finely dice ½ cup onion.
  5. Sauté the Aromatics
  6. In a large saucepan, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat.
  7. Add the finely diced onion to the saucepan and sauté for about 5 minutes until they become translucent.
  8. Stir in 1 tbsp minced garlic and the chopped fresh chilies. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  9. Build the Sauce
  10. Stir in 1 can tomato paste and cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the tomato paste to caramelize slightly.
  11. Pour in the white wine, stirring to deglaze the pan and incorporate all the flavors.
  12. Add the 2 cans of diced tomatoes with their juices. Stir well to combine.
  13. Add 1 tbsp dried parsley, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tbsp red pepper flakes, 1 tsp salt, and ¼ tsp ground black pepper. Stir to combine.
  14. Simmer the Sauce
  15. Increase the heat to medium-high to bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
  16. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low and let the sauce cook for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it has thickened to your desired consistency.
  17. Finish and Serve
  18. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Add more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes to taste.
  19. Remove the sauce from heat and let it cool slightly before serving over pasta, as a pizza base, or in any recipe that calls for marinara sauce.

Notes

  • For a smoother sauce, blend a portion of the cooked sauce with an immersion blender before returning it to the pot.
  • To reduce the spiciness, remove the seeds and membranes from the chilies before chopping.
  • Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze for longer storage.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 200
  • Sugar: 10
  • Sodium: 500
  • Fat: 10
  • Saturated Fat: 2
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8
  • Carbohydrates: 30
  • Fiber: 5
  • Protein: 3

If you liked this, you are going to love these favorite Italian recipes:

An Italian Classic: How to Make Ciabatta Bread

Nduja Spaghetti Carbonara – An Italian Icon, Spicy Edition

Maritozzi con la Panna: Cream Filled Italian Buns

Italian Oxtail Osso Bucco with Creamy Parmigiano Polenta


Frequently Asked Questions

How finely should I chop the fresh red chilies for the sauce?

You should finely chop the fresh red chilies to ensure they distribute evenly throughout the sauce and provide a consistent level of heat.

What type of white wine should I use to deglaze the pan?

You can use any dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, to deglaze the pan and enhance the flavor of the sauce.

How long should I cook the tomato paste before adding the wine?

Cook the tomato paste for 2-3 minutes until it caramelizes slightly, which helps to deepen the flavor of the sauce.

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View Comments (5) View Comments (5)
  1. Made this sauce last night and it was incredible! The fresh chilies really add a nice heat. I will make this in huge batches going forward and freeze what I don’t use immediately.

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