Deliciously Simple: Crafting Quick & Easy Homemade Marinara Sauce with Gourmet Garden Herbs

Homemade marinara that comes together in less than 25 minutes. This post is sponsored by Gourmet Garden.

There’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of a simmering homemade marinara sauce filling your kitchen. The only catch? Traditional marinara often demands hours on the stovetop, a luxury many of us simply don’t have. Especially during the bustling holiday season, finding time for elaborate cooking can feel like an impossible feat. That’s where this incredible recipe comes in: a quick winter marinara sauce that delivers rich, slow-simmered flavor in under 25 minutes, all thanks to a little help from Gourmet Garden’s fresh herbs.

The holidays are a whirlwind of activity, aren’t they? Between stockings to stuff, presents to wrap, last-minute shopping to finish, and all the festive baking to complete, our calendars quickly fill up. It’s a magical time of year, but it can also be incredibly demanding, leaving little room for leisurely cooking sessions. We all want to create delicious meals and treats, but we also yearn for moments of calm, connection, and joy with our loved ones.

Gourmet Garden understands this holiday hustle, and they are here to revolutionize your holiday cooking experience with their convenient tubes of fresh herbs. Imagine simplifying your recipes without sacrificing an ounce of flavor! The holidays should be a time to relax, make memories, and spend quality time with family and friends – not to be tethered to the stove, tending to steaming pots and a hot oven. With Gourmet Garden, you can achieve that sought-after homemade taste, ensuring your dishes shine while you enjoy the festivities.

Every year, a beloved tradition in my home is making homemade meatballs with marinara sauce for Christmas morning. I prepare the meatballs a few days in advance, so they’re ready to go. On Christmas morning, amidst the excitement and wrapping paper, I simply transfer the pre-made meatballs into the slow cooker, slather them generously with this rich sauce, and let them simmer gently until we’re all ready to gather around the table and dig in. It’s a tradition that brings so much warmth and comfort, and the aroma alone is enough to get everyone excited.

To ensure I maximize my time enjoying my family and minimize my time stuck in the kitchen during these precious days, I developed this quick winter marinara sauce. It truly takes less than 25 minutes from start to finish, yet it tastes like it’s been simmering all day long. And since fresh herbs can be challenging to find, or quite expensive, during the colder months, I rely on a few tubes of fresh Gourmet Garden herbs to infuse this sauce with vibrant, garden-fresh flavor. This simple swap allows for consistent taste and convenience, no matter the season.

Believe it or not, my introduction to Gourmet Garden came through my partner, Squirrel. One day, he went grocery shopping for me and couldn’t locate any fresh basil. Instead, he returned home with a tube of what he claimed was “basil.”

Me: “What in the world is this contraption?”
Squirrel: “It’s basil.”
Me: “Why is it in a tube? Is this some kind of space-age herb?”
Squirrel: “It’s all they had. Trust me, it looked promising.”
Me: *rolls eyes dramatically* “Basil in a tube… Psht!”

My initial skepticism was palpable. I mean, basil belongs in a pot, or freshly chopped from a bunch, right? The idea of it coming out of a tube seemed utterly preposterous, a culinary compromise I was unwilling to make. Little did I know, my entire perspective on convenience and flavor was about to be delightfully challenged.

That very tube of basil surprised the heck out of me. The aroma was potent, the flavor remarkably fresh, tasting just as vibrant as the real deal I was accustomed to. I was genuinely shocked by its quality and convenience. From that moment forward, I’ve been completely hooked on Gourmet Garden herbs. They have transformed my approach to cooking, allowing me to achieve authentic, robust flavors even when time is tight or fresh herbs are out of season.

Don’t tell Squirrel I said this – seriously, it’ll go straight to his head if you spill the beans – but I actually have him to thank for introducing me to this kitchen game-changer. His unwitting discovery has saved me countless hours and ensured my dishes are consistently packed with fresh herb goodness. So, let’s just keep this our little secret, okay? My appreciation for his accidental genius remains, though I’ll never admit it directly!

This quick marinara recipe is a testament to how incredible homemade flavors can be achieved with minimal effort. While it may only take 25 minutes to whip up, the resulting sauce boasts a depth and richness that tastes like it has been simmering on the stove all day. It’s the perfect balance of fresh ingredients and smart shortcuts, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or a stress-free holiday meal.

I begin by sautéing some finely diced onion, green pepper, and minced garlic in a touch of extra-virgin olive oil. This crucial first step helps build the flavor foundation, softening the vegetables and allowing their natural sweetness to develop. Once the onions are translucent and the kitchen smells amazing, I add two (28-ounce) cans of high-quality crushed tomatoes. These form the hearty base of the sauce. To enhance the flavor and provide that “all-day simmered” taste, I add a few squirts of various Gourmet Garden herbs – typically basil, parsley, and a hint of Italian herb seasoning – along with a tablespoon of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper to taste. I then let this beautiful mixture simmer gently for just 15 minutes, allowing all the flavors to meld beautifully.

Once simmered, you have options! You can leave the sauce chunky for a rustic feel, perfect for hearty pasta dishes or topping meatballs. Alternatively, if you prefer a silky-smooth texture, you can blend it directly in the pot with an immersion blender until it reaches your desired consistency. Just before serving, stir in some freshly grated Parmesan cheese for an extra layer of savory goodness. It’s truly that simple to create a versatile and flavorful sauce. You can serve it right away over your favorite pasta, use it as a base for pizza, or store it in the refrigerator for up to a week until you’re ready to use it. It also freezes beautifully for longer storage, ensuring you always have delicious homemade marinara on hand.

The tubes of Gourmet Garden herbs are incredibly versatile and are used just like fresh herbs, delivering consistent flavor without the fuss of chopping. A helpful tip for substitution: when I replace dried herbs with my tube of Gourmet Garden herbs, I use a simple 2 to 1 ratio. For example, if a recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of dried herbs, I’ll use 2 teaspoons of fresh Gourmet Garden herbs from the tube. This ensures you get that vibrant, concentrated flavor that makes your dishes sing.

A few years ago, I took this quick marinara sauce and bottled it up into adorable little mason jars, tying them with festive ribbons to give as gifts during the holidays. My friends and family absolutely LOVED them! It’s such a simple, heartfelt way to show someone you care, offering them a taste of homemade goodness without the effort on their part. Besides, who doesn’t appreciate the thoughtful gift of delicious, ready-to-use food, especially during a busy season?

Beyond this marinara, Gourmet Garden herbs have become indispensable in my kitchen. Just recently, I used the tube of basil to add a burst of fresh flavor to my homemade margherita pizza. For Thanksgiving, I relied on their tubes of parsley, Italian herb blend, chunky garlic, and oregano to create a flavorful herb injection for my roasted turkey, ensuring it was incredibly moist and aromatic. I’ve also added a squirt of cilantro to some homemade salsa for an authentic kick and a squirt of parsley to finish off a comforting pot of soup I made for dinner last week. The possibilities are truly endless, and the convenience is unparalleled. You can find Gourmet Garden products in the refrigerated section of the produce aisle in your local grocery store, ready to elevate your cooking all year long.

Looking for more delicious recipe inspiration? Check out these other fantastic #SundaySupper recipes, perfect for any occasion:

• Lemongrass Ginger Pancakes for a Holiday Brunch by Daily Dish Recipes
• Buttery Herb Pull-Apart Rolls by girlichef
• Garlic and Herb Crusted Lamb Lollipops by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
• Thai Style Grilled Monkfish Appetizer by Soni’s Food
• Green Goddess Dip by Juanita’s Cocina
• Garlic and Herb Pizza Puffs by Alida’s Kitchen
• Herbed Goat Cheese and Sun Dried Tomato on Crostini by Supper for a Steal
• Prosciutto, Gruyere and Basil Pinwheels by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Thai-style Mussels by kimchi MOM
• Crispy Prosciutto Garlic Potato Soup by Family Foodie
• Carnita Style Beef by The Foodie Army Wife
• Chicken Cakes with Cilantro Garlic Mayo by The Dinner-Mom
• Coconut Lemongrass Chicken Curry- Two Ways! by Hip Foodie Mom
• Creamy Pasta with Spinach, Chili, and Walnuts by Healthy. Delicious.
• Herb and Garlic Clam Linguini by Noshing With The Nolands
• Quick Winter Marinara by The Messy Baker
• Italian Mac & Cheese Stuffed Peppers by Foxes Love Lemons
• Herb Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Steamed Broccoli by Peanut Butter and Peppers
• Lemongrass Coconut Quick Bread by Magnolia Days

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You can also Pin these delectable recipes and more ideas for effortless holiday entertaining from our dedicated Easy Holiday Entertaining Pinterest Board.

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This post is sponsored by Gourmet Garden Herbs & Spices. All opinions expressed are genuinely my own and reflect my personal experience with their products.