Spicy Marinara Sauce

This homemade Spicy Marinara Sauce is made with jarred marinara sauce, garlic, onion, and a blend of spices for a perfectly balanced combination of sweet and heat. Simmer all the ingredients together until the flavors have melded and the sauce has thickened. Serve over your favorite gluten free pasta.

Check out my Healthy Berry Crumble and my Low Calorie Edible Cookie Dough for more delicious gluten free recipes!

Homemade spicy marinara sauce is a delicious and flavorful sauce made with marinara sauce, garlic, onion, and a blend of spices for a perfectly balanced combination of sweet and heat.

It's a versatile sauce that can be used as a base for many dishes, including pasta, pizza, and more. Making your own spicy marinara sauce allows you to control the ingredients and adjust the level of spiciness to your liking. This homemade version is easy to make, and the bold flavors will elevate any dish.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• It has a perfectly balanced combination of sweet and heat.
• It's easy to make and customizable to your desired level of spiciness.
• This sauce is a versatile addition to pasta, pizza, and many other dishes.

Ingredients You'll Need

• Olive Oil: Used to sauté the Yellow Onion, Green Bell Pepper, and Garlic Cloves, creating a flavorful base for the sauce.
• Marinara Sauce: Your favorite store bought jarred marinara sauce is great here.
• Dried Basil, Dried Oregano, Italian Seasoning & Red Pepper Flakes: Added to create a bold and spicy sauce.
• Gluten Free Pasta: Use your favorite gluten free pasta!

Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.

Step 2: Add diced yellow onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic to the pan and sauté until the onion is translucent.

Step 3: Stir in jarred marinara sauce, dried basil, dried oregano, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.

Step 4: Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes or until the sauce has thickened. Serve over cooked gluten free pasta and enjoy!

NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!

Tips To Keep Gluten Free Pasta From Sticking Together

By following these tips, you can enjoy perfectly cooked, non-sticky gluten free pasta every time!

1. Use plenty of water: Fill a large pot with at least 4 quarts of water per pound of pasta.
2. Salt the water: Add salt to the boiling water, which not only seasons the pasta, but also helps prevent it from sticking.
3. Stir frequently: Stir the pasta frequently during the first minute or two of cooking to prevent it from sticking together.
4. Don't overcook: Gluten-free pasta can become mushy if overcooked, so be sure to follow the package instructions for cooking time.
5. Rinse with cold water: After cooking, drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and remove excess starch.
6. Toss with oil: Toss the pasta with a small amount of oil to prevent it from sticking together.

Expert Tips

• Adjust the level of spiciness to your liking by adding more or less red pepper flakes.
• For a smoother sauce, puree the mixture until smooth.
• Cook the sauce for a longer time if you prefer a thicker consistency.
• Add additional herbs or spices, such as thyme or cumin, to personalize the flavor of the sauce.
• For a creamier sauce, stir in a tablespoon of heavy cream before serving.

Variations

• Meaty marinara: Add cooked and crumbled Italian sausage, ground beef, or chopped bacon to the sauce for a meaty flavor.
• Veggie-packed marinara: Stir in diced carrots, zucchini, or mushrooms for added nutrients and texture.
• Roasted garlic marinara: Add several cloves of roasted garlic for a sweeter, milder garlic flavor.
• Wine-infused marinara: Stir in a splash of red wine for depth of flavor and a touch of acidity.
• Pesto marinara: Stir in a spoonful of basil pesto for a unique twist on traditional marinara sauce.
• Balsamic marinara: Stir in a splash of balsamic vinegar for a sweet and tangy flavor.

Storing & Freezing

Storing: Store sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Freezing: Let the sauce cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or plastic freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Defrosting: Transfer the sauce to the refrigerator overnight or place the container in a bowl of warm water.

Reheating: Reheat the sauce on the stove or in the microwave until heated through.

Recipe FAQ's

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Spicy Marinara Sauce

5 from 22 votes

By Kate

This homemade spicy marinara sauce is made with jarred marinara sauce, garlic, onion, and a blend of spices for a perfectly balanced combination of sweet and heat. Simmer all the ingredients together until the flavors have come together and the sauce has thickened.

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Prep 15 minutes mins

Cook 30 minutes mins

Total 45 minutes mins

Servings 4 Servings

Calories 365kcal

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Special Equipment

• ▢
  Knife Set
• ▢
  Cutting Boards
• ▢
  Measuring Spoons and Cups
• ▢
  Ceramic Frypan

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ▢ 1 small yellow onion diced
• ▢ 1 green bell pepper diced
• ▢ 2 cloves garlic minced
• ▢ 24 ounces marinara sauce
• ▢ 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ▢ 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ▢ 2 tablespoons red pepper flakes
• ▢ 8 ounces bowtie gluten-free pasta

Instructions

 

• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat.
• Add diced yellow onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic to the pan and sauté until the onion is translucent.
• Stir in jarred marinara sauce, dried basil, dried oregano, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.
• Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes or until the sauce has thickened. Serve over cooked gluten free pasta and enjoy!

Notes

• Adjust the level of spiciness to your liking by adding more or less red pepper flakes.
  For a smoother sauce, puree the mixture until smooth.
• Cook the sauce for a longer time if you prefer a thicker consistency.
• Add additional herbs or spices, such as thyme or cumin, to personalize the flavor of the sauce.
• For a creamier sauce, stir in a tablespoon of heavy cream before serving.
• Storing: Store sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freezing: Let the sauce cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or plastic freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Defrosting: Transfer the sauce to the refrigerator overnight or place the container in a bowl of warm water.
• Reheating: Reheat the sauce on the stove or in the microwave until heated through.

Nutrition

Calories: 365kcalCarbohydrates: 53gProtein: 19gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 662mgFiber: 13gSugar: 17g

All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

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