Marinara Sauce
A chunky (or smooth), veggie-packed marinara sauce with no added sugar—perfect for kids and easy family meals.
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 87kcal
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium carrot, finely grated (adds sweetness)
- 800 grams crushed tomatoes (or whole peeled tomatoes, blended)
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 Tablespoon tomato paste (optional, for extra richness)
- ½ cup water or low-sodium stock/broth (for a thinner consistency, if needed)
- 1 Tablespoon butter (optional, helps balance acidity)
Instructions
- Sauté the veggies – Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and grated carrot. Cook for 3-4 minutes until soft.
- Add the tomatoes & seasonings – Stir in the crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and tomato paste (if using).
- Simmer – Reduce heat and let it cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of water or broth.
- Blend (Optional) – For a smooth, kid-friendly texture, use an immersion blender or regular blender to puree the sauce.
- Finish with butter – Stir in butter for extra creaminess and a mellow flavor.
Video
Notes
- Grate the carrot finely – It melts into the sauce while still offering a little texture.
- Chunky or smooth – Leave the sauce chunky for a rustic feel, or blend it if your child prefers a smoother texture.
- Adjust consistency – Add a splash of broth or water if the sauce becomes too thick.
- It freezes beautifully in an airtight container or portioned into ice cube trays for quick toddler meals.
- Store in the fridge for up to 5 days in a sealed container.
- Perfect as the base for traditional pizza or a quick pizza toast!
- Olive oil – Use any mild-tasting oil that you have on hand.
- Carrot – Grated carrot adds natural sweetness, eliminating the need for sugar. Swap with pumpkin or sweet potato puree if desired.
- Crushed tomatoes – An 800g (28 oz ) can works perfectly. You can also use peeled whole tomatoes and blend them.
- Tomato paste – Optional, but adds depth and richness. Can be left out for a lighter sauce.
- Butter – Adds a creamy finish and helps mellow acidity. Omit for dairy-free version or replace with a plant-based butter.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 87kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 0.5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 0.3mg | Sodium: 408mg | Potassium: 516mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 2034IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 2mg