I have to be honest with you, I am not the biggest fan of marinara sauce.
I know, I know, it’s a classic Italian dish that everyone should love, but for some reason, it just doesn’t do it for me. However, that doesn’t mean that I don’t enjoy Italian food – I just like to mix it up a bit and use different sauces.
Do you love Italian food but don’t love all the ingredients in marinara sauce? Substitute away!
There are plenty of delicious alternatives that will make your Italian dishes pop. I’ll share some of my favorite substitutes for marinara sauce, as well as the ratios to use when substituting.
Trust me, these sauces are so good that you won’t even miss the marinara sauce.
Let’s get cooking!
Substitutes for Marinara Sauce
Here are 13 alternatives for marinara sauce:
- Canned Tomatoes
- Tomato juice
- Tomato paste
- Tomato sauce
- Ketchup
- Condensed tomato soup
- Tomato puree
- Pizza sauce
- Tomato passata
- Pasta sauce
- Fresh tomatoes
- Carrots and Beets
- Homemade marinara sauce
Canned Tomatoes
If you have canned tomatoes, you can easily make a marinara sauce substitute. You just need to add some garlic, onion, and herbs and you’ll be okay.
Tomatoes are simple to use in many forms: whole, crushed or diced. However, if you’re using canned tomatoes, be sure they aren’t seasoned since you may add your own spices to them.
If you find that the sauce is too thick, strain it and save the liquid for later to thin it if desired. If you want a thicker texture, you may also let the sauce cook for longer.
You may substitute 1 cup of canned tomatoes for every 1 cup of marinara sauce in your recipes.
Tomato Juice
Not a fan of the chunks in marinara sauce? No problem – use tomato juice instead! You can find it in the same aisle as the canned tomatoes.
Tomato juice is a great alternative because it has a thinner consistency and is already strained. This means that you won’t have to do any extra work when making your sauce.
Just cook the tomatoes until they’re soft, then blend them up and add some salt, basil, garlic powder, and pepper to taste like marina sauce.
You can use this substitution in any dish where you would normally use marinara sauce, like pasta, pizza, or chicken Parmesan.
There are a few benefits to using tomato juice as a substitute for marinara sauce. First, it’s lower in calories and fat. Second, tomatoes have a lot of vitamins and nutrients to give. Finally, it’s a great way to use up overripe tomatoes that you might otherwise throw away or any tomato juice that you might have.
Use 1 cup of tomato juice to replace 1/2 cup of marinara sauce and 1/2 cup of water.
Tomato Paste
Tomato paste is a great alternative to marinara sauce because it’s thick and concentrated. Just add water or tomato juice to thin it out, and you’re good to go!
It is a great alternative because it is very concentrated and has a thick texture. This means that you won’t need to use as much, which can help if you’re trying to cut down on calories or fat.
Plus, it’s easy to find in most stores.
To use tomato paste as a marinara sauce substitute, simply add water or tomato juice to thin it out. You can also add some spices to give it more flavor.
Start by adding a little bit at a time and then taste as you go until it’s the desired consistency and flavor.
Use a ratio of 1 cup of tomato paste mixed and 1 cup of water, where you are substituting 2 cups of marinara sauce. You can add more paste or water to alter the consistency if desired.
Tomato Sauce
You can find tomato sauce in the pasta aisle of your grocery store. It’s a great alternative to marinara sauce because it’s already seasoned. Just heat it up and voila!
This is a tomato-based sauce that is made by cooking fresh tomatoes with seasoning. It is a versatile sauce that can be used as a replacement for marinara sauce.
Tomato sauce has many benefits, including being low in fat and calories. It is also a good source of lycopene, an antioxidant that has been linked to several health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease and cancer.
Additionally, tomato sauce is a good source of Vitamins A and C. When choosing a tomato sauce, look for one that is made with fresh tomatoes and no added sugar.
You can also make your own tomato sauce at home by cooking fresh tomatoes with garlic, onions, and herbs. In a 1:1 ratio, replace the marinara sauce with tomato sauce.
Ketchup
Yes, ketchup! It may seem strange, but ketchup makes a great marinara sauce substitute. Just add some garlic and onion powder to taste.
Tomato ketchup is a popular condiment made from tomatoes, sugar, vinegar, and spices. While it’s often used as a dip for french fries or as a sandwich spread, some people also use it as a substitute for marinara sauce.
It can be used in a variety of dishes, whether in meatballs and meatloaf or drizzled on a hotdog or burger, ketchup is America’s favorite condiment.
While it doesn’t have the same flavor or texture as traditional marinara sauce, it can still be a delicious and convenient option.
To give your tomato ketchup-based sauce more flavor, try adding extra spices and herbs. When using this substitute, keep in mind that it may not work well in all recipes. Tomato ketchup is usually best when used in dishes with other bold flavors.
Condensed Tomato Soup
If you have a can of condensed tomato soup, you can easily make a marinara sauce substitute. Just add water and some herbs, and you might have something that works.
The main difference between the two is that condensed tomato soup is milk or broth-based, while marinara sauce is oil-based.
Using this substitute might mean your sauce will turn out to be of a thinner texture and sweeter than marinara sauce. So, you might want to cook it a little longer to get a thicker texture and also reduce the added salt.
To use condensed tomato soup as a replacement for marinara sauce, you would need to use a 1:1 ratio. Just make sure that its flavor does not contradict your recipe.
While there are some differences between these two substitutes, using condensed tomato soup as a replacement for marinara sauce can still be a good option. It can be especially beneficial if you are looking for a quick and easy substitute.
Tomato Puree
Tomato puree is similar to tomato sauce, but it’s usually thicker. You can find it in the pasta aisle of your grocery store.
This is a fantastic substitution for marinara sauce. It is made up of cooked and strained tomatoes, making it a quick and easy solution when you’re in a pinch.
You can also season tomato puree to taste, and adjust the thickness by adding water as needed or deciding to cook it down further. In a 1:1 ratio, tomato puree may be substituted with marinara sauce.
Pizza Sauce
Pizza sauce can be used as a substitute for marinara sauce in many cases. It is made of thicker, more coarsely ground tomatoes than marinara sauce, and usually has other seasonings like salt, oregano, pepper, and garlic, added to it as well.
You can add water to make it thinner, or add more seasoning to taste. In most cases, you can use pizza sauce 1:1 as a replacement for marinara sauce.
It is a great alternative if you’re looking for a thicker, more robust flavor. It’s also a good option if you need to stretch your marinara sauce further.
You may want to add some more spice – maybe some basil or something to spice it up more. It depends on your preference.
Tomato Passata
Tomato passata is made from raw tomatoes puree – a strained tomatoes product that’s available in most grocery stores.
It’s a great alternative to marinara sauce because it’s smooth and has no chunks, no tomato seeds or skins.
It has a wonderful tomato flavor and firm consistency, making it an excellent substitute for marinara sauce. You may personalize the recipe to your own taste by adding spices to suit your preferences, and you may use it as a 1:1 replacement for marinara sauce.
Pasta Sauce
Pasta sauce is a great substitute for marinara sauce. It’s made of tomatoes, vegetables, and seasoning, so it has a different flavor, but it can be used in the same way that marinara can be used.
You can use it as a 1:1 replacement for marinara sauce in any recipe. It is also a great way to add more flavor to your pasta dishes. It’s a versatile ingredient that can be used in different ways, so don’t be afraid to experiment with it.
Pasta sauce is usually less acidic than marinara sauce, so it may be a good choice if you’re looking for a milder taste. Additionally, pasta sauce generally has more vegetables than marinara sauce, so it may be a healthier option as well.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to use pasta sauce as a substitute for marinara sauce depends on your personal preferences.
Fresh Tomatoes
If you have fresh tomatoes, you can easily make a marinara sauce substitute. If you cook them down long enough, they will turn into a thick, flavorful sauce that can be used on pasta, pizzas, and more.
This option is a very healthy one because they have the added benefit of being lower in sugar than most store-bought sauces.
To make your own fresh tomato sauce, simply cook some chopped tomatoes in a pan with a bit of olive oil and your favorite seasonings. Once the tomatoes are cooked down and the sauce is to your desired consistency, it’s ready to use!
You can even make a big batch and freeze it for later. So next time you’re in a pinch, reach for some fresh tomatoes and give them a try as a marinara sauce substitute – you might be surprised at how delicious they are.
Carrots and Beets
Believe it or not, carrots and beets make a great marinara sauce substitute. And you don’t even need to add tomato paste. If you’re allergic to tomatoes or just don’t like them, this could be a perfect solution for you.
Simply sautee a dish of carrots, onions, garlic, and beets in olive oil, then let the vegetables cook in water, white vinegar, and balsamic vinegar until they’re softened.
Everything will come together into a sweet, tangy paste that can be used as a substitute for marinara sauce in recipes like “Nomato” carrot beet pasta sauce, roasted beets and carrots with creamy garlic dill sauce, honey roasted beets and carrots, and so on.
If you’re still wondering if this is possible, why not give it a try? After all, Italians put carrots in their sauce all the time.
Homemade Marinara Sauce:
If you have the time, you can easily make your own marinara sauce at home. There are plenty of recipes available online.
Here are some easy steps to make marinara sauce:
- Start by heating olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
- Add garlic and onion, and cook until softened.
- Pour in canned tomatoes, crushing them with your hands as you add them to the pan.
- Stir in tomato paste, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for about 30 minutes.
- Stir in fresh basil leaves and remove from heat.
- Use an immersion blender to blend the sauce until it’s smooth.
- Serve over your favorite pasta dish or use it as a dipping sauce.
FAQ
What can I use as a substitute for marinara sauce?
There are many substitutes for marinara sauce, including pasta sauce, fresh tomatoes, carrots and beets, and homemade marinara sauce. Each of these options has its own unique flavor that can be used to enhance your favorite dishes. Ultimately, the decision of which one to use depends on your personal preferences.
What is the difference between marinara sauce and pasta sauce?
Pasta sauce is usually less acidic than marinara sauce, so it may be a good choice if you’re looking for a milder taste. Additionally, pasta sauce generally has more vegetables than marinara sauce, so it may be a healthier option as well.
Can I make my own marinara sauce?
Yes! If you have the time, you can easily make your own quick marinara sauce at home. There are plenty of recipes available online.
What can I use if I don’t have marinara sauce?
There are a few substitutes that you could use if you don’t have marinara sauce on hand. Some of these substitutes include tomato passata, pasta sauce, fresh tomatoes, carrots, and beets. You could also make your own marinara sauce at home
What is a marinara sauce substitute for mozzarella stick?
A marinara sauce substitute for mozzarella sticks could be ranch dressing, honey mustard, or BBQ sauce. Each of these sauces has a different flavor that can enhance the taste of your mozzarella sticks. Ultimately, the decision of which one to use depends on your personal preference.
What is a substitute for red sauce?
There are many substitutes for red sauce, including marinara sauce, tomato passata, and fresh tomatoes.
Conclusion
Now that you know all of the substitutes for marinara sauce, it’s time to get cooking! Trust me, these sauces are so good that you won’t even miss the marinara sauce.
So go ahead and experiment with different flavors to find the perfect sauce for your next meal. Who knows, you may even discover a new favorite.
Tell me all about your favorite substitutes for marinara sauce in the comments below. I can’t wait to hear from you!