This low sodium marinara sauce recipe is perfect for those who are looking to cut back on salt intake without sacrificing flavor. It can be used as a base for your favorite pasta dish or as the sauce in a low-sodium lasagna! This low-sodium marinara sauce recipe will make 8 servings and includes fresh garlic, basil, oregano, thyme, and crushed red pepper flakes.
Why You’ll Love This Low Sodium Marinara Sauce Recipe
This low-sodium marinara sauce recipe is packed with fresh ingredients that will leave you feeling satisfied without the excess sodium or added sugars that store bought jars come with. We still use the same traditional blend of high-quality ingredients to make a simple mouthwatering sauce without much sodium. This marinara sauce works great as a base for your favorite meat or vegetarian pasta dish and tastes even better leftover!
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Equipment Needed To Make Low Sodium Marinara Sauce
- Large saucepan
- Measuring cups/spoons
- Wooden spoon
- Cutting board
- Knife
Ingredients For The Best Low Sodium Marinara Sauce
This spaghetti sauce uses healthy ingredients that are low in salt and high in flavor. The ingredients needed to make this Italian sauce include:
- Whole tomatoes (peeled, canned): I like using whole, canned tomatoes so that they naturally break down when cooking, but you may also use crushed or diced tomatoes! The brands Cento and Alessi both have great quality canned Italian tomatoes.
- Fresh Onion: I prefer to go with diced onions, so that I am not left with any chunky onion pieces!
- Garlic Cloves: Opt for finely minced for fresh taste. Garlic paste or powder would also work.
- Fresh basil leaves: I prefer using fresh over dried herbs to get that “just picked from the garden, great taste”, but if you only have dried herbs, your sauce will still turn out amazing!
- Extra-virgin olive oil: Olive oil is going to help give our sauce that rich, complex flavor!
- Dried or fresh oregano: Oregano is a must in any Italian dish!
- Salt and black pepper: Yes, you will still be using salt sparingly in this recipe to balance all the flavors. Doing this will add a little bit of sodium!
How To Make Low Sodium Marinara Sauce
To make this simple, mouthwatering sauce:
- Sauté onion and garlic: First on medium heat, we will sauté the fresh onion and garlic in a tablespoon of olive oil for about 3-4 minutes, until softened and fragrant.
- Add remaining ingredients. Next, add in the canned tomatoes, basil, oregano, and salt. Stir to combine, while also mashing tomatoes into pieces.
- Simmer the sauce. Cover and simmer the sauce for around 20-30 minutes to help develop all the Italian flavors.
- Taste test. Always taste your sauce! This is when you can add more seasoning if needed. Keep in mind, this is low sodium recipe, so opt for adding more fresh herbs vs. salt for extra flavor that is needed.
- Serve. When the sauce is flavored to your liking, it may be served chunky or smooth (use an immersion blender or stander mixer to blend it smooth). Serve your sauce over pasta or use it as a simple pizza sauce
What To Pair With Your Low Sodium Marinara Sauce
Basic marinara sauce serves as a great foundation for many recipes! This easy recipe for low sodium marinara sauce pairs well with pasta, meatballs, lasagna, pizza, and even to flavor soup. One of my favorite ways to use this sauce is to dip mozzarella sticks in it!
Popular Substitutions & Additions
If you are interested in adding some pizzazz to your low-sodium marinara sauce, consider adding:
- Lean ground beef or chicken sausage
- Mushrooms
- Fresh parsley leaves (can be used as a garnish)
- Green peppers (add for color and flavor)
How to Reheat & Store Low Sodium Marinara Sauce
Best Way To Store Marinara Sauce
Low sodium marinara sauce tastes best when it has been stored in a tightly sealed container and refrigerated.
How Long Will Low Sodium Marinara Sauce Last In The Fridge?
Low sodium marinara sauce will stay fresh in the fridge for up to five days when stored properly in an air tight container.
Can I Freeze Marinara Sauce?
Yes, low sodium marinara sauce can be frozen in tightly sealed freezer safe small containers for up to three months.
How To Reheat Low Sodium Marinara?
To reheat low sodium marinara sauce, simply microwave on high for one minute. Stir the low-sodium marinara sauce and continue to heat in 30 second intervals until it has reached desired temperature.
If you prefer to reheat the sauce on the stove, you can do so by placing the sauce in a sauce pan and using low heat until warmed through.
Low Sodium Marinara Sauce Recipe FAQs
Is normal, canned marinara high in sodium?
Yes, standard marinara sauce can contain up a whopping 500 milligrams of sodium per serving and should only be consumed in low amounts if you’re watching your salt intake.
Who would benefit from making low sodium marinara sauce?
People who have need to watch the amount of sodium they consume include those who may have high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, or heart issues. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends limiting sodium intake for the average person to 2300 mg, while people with prehypertension and hypertension should aim for a daily value of less than 1500 mg of sodium. Making this low sodium recipe at home gives you the freedom to control your sodium intake and leaves room for customizing the flavors with ingredients of your choosing.
Does low sodium marinara sauce taste good?
Yes, absolutely! This homemade marinara sauce is just as flavorful as traditional recipes due to the fresh ingredients that are used and even taste better than the jar of sauce at the grocery store.
Can I double this recipe?
Of course, you can double and even triple this recipe if you are feeding a crowd or just want to batch make and freeze to have sauce on hand for whenever you need! Just add the ingredient the recipe calls for to a large pot and simmer away.