Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Shane Martin · This post may contain affiliate links.

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This Vegan Marinara sauce requires just 1 pot, 7 ingredients, and is ready in less than 10 minutes. It’s so easy to make, super healthy, oil-free, and delicious!

Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (1)


If you have been craving a delicious vegan spaghetti sauce that doesn’t require intensive laboring then look no further. This oil-free marinara sauce is amazing! It’s low in calories, fat-free, and incredibly versatile.

I used everyday pantry staple items to whip up this delicious recipe. And, trust me. No one will ever know the difference. You will not sacrifice on taste or health with this recipe. You’ll never need to buy store-bought pasta sauce again…EVER!

Vegan Marinara sauce that’s ready in 10 minutes and requires only 7 ingredients. It’s so easy and simple and requires only one pot. A great recipe to prepare ahead of time so you can enjoy this amazing sauce for the week!

Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (2)

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Tomatoes: (2) 28-ounce cans of Cento Crushed Tomatoes or San Marzano Tomatoes.
  • Spices: I like using dried oregano and basil because they are much more accessible. A little onion powder and garlic powder. And, a pinch of red pepper for a bit of heat. I always say it’s optional, but it really does add a nice depth of flavor.
  • Maple Syrup: I like sweeter sauces, but feel free to leave this out if you want a more savory essence.
  • Salt: Add to taste, but this is completely optional. Just be sure to use low-sodium tomatoes.

Table of Contents

How To Make Vegan Marinara Sauce

This recipe really could not be any easier. You simply add all the ingredients to a large pot and simmer over medium heat for 2-3 minutes.

Then, reduce the heat to low and allow to cook for 5-6 minutes. That’s it! Don’t be afraid to get creative. Feel free to toss in mushrooms or chopped veggies to make a very hearty spaghetti sauce.

How Can I Use Marinara Sauce

There’s really no “one way” as it is so versatile. But, it’s great to serve over pasta or veggies. However, I love using it in my Vegan Lasagna Rolls. Amazing!

Also, be sure and try it over regular pasta and topped with my delicious Vegan Parmesan!

How Long Will It Keep

You can store the marinara in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days. So, it’s great for a quick “grab and go” meal during the week.

Can I Freeze Vegan Marinara Sauce

Absolutely! Pour it into a freezer bag or a sealed container after it has cooked and set it in the freezer. Freeze the whole batch together or into smaller portions. It will last for about a month in the freezer.

When you’re ready to use it simply place it in the fridge the night before you’re ready to cook and reheat it in a saucepan.

Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (3)

More Delicious Vegan Sauce Recipes

  • Garlicky Lemon Tahini Dressing
  • Easy Vegan Chipotle Aioli
  • The Best Vegan Ranch Dressing
  • Vegan Bolognese Sauce
  • Cashew Sour Cream or Tofu Sour Cream
  • Vegan Date Caramel
Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (4)

And, as always, be sure and let me know if you try this recipe! Leave a comment and star rating. If you want to be kept up to speed on all that’s going down with Shane & Simple and my latest recipes SUBSCRIBE HERE!

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Vegan Marinara Sauce (No Oil)

Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (5)

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5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star

5 from 18 reviews

This Vegan Marinara sauce requires just 1 pot, 7 ingredients, and is ready in less than 10 minutes. It’s so easy to make, super healthy, oil-free, and delicious!

  • Author:
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 minutes
  • Total Time: 13 minutes
  • Yield: 4 cups 1x
  • Category: Sauce
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

UnitsScale

  • 2 28 oz. can of low-sodium crushed tomatoes. Or (if you like your sauce a little chunky, use 1 can crushed tomatoes and 1 can diced tomatoes.)
  • 2 Tbsp. dried oregano
  • 2 Tbsp. dried basil
  • 2 tsp. onion powder
  • 1 ½ tsp. garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp. red pepper flakes (adjust according to spice preference)
  • 2 Tbsp. maple syrup
  • Salt to taste (optional)

Instructions

  1. Place all ingredients in a large pot and simmer over medium to medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes.
  2. Reduce heat to low and cook for another 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Serve over your favorite pasta or use for pizza sauce.

Notes

This is the perfect recipe to top with my Plant-Based Parmesan.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: ½ cup
  • Calories: 26
  • Sugar: 4.1 g
  • Sodium: 152 mg
  • Fat: 0.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6.1 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 0.5 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

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Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (7)

More Dressings & Sauces

  • Vegan Sour Cream
  • Oil Free Salad Dressing
  • Easy Homemade Ketchup Recipe (5 Minutes)

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Let Me Hear From You!

  1. Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (12)Susan

    I’ve made this many times and it is so easy and delicious! I like to cook mushrooms to add to it and sometimes onion. I made a triple batch today, so I would have enough to share with my sister. I also enjoyed your interview recently on the Plant Strong podcast.

    Reply

  2. Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (13)Wendy

    I am wondering if this sauce could be canned. Thoughts?

    Reply

  3. Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (16)Haley

    Any ideas for what I can blend into the sauce to sub for the maple syrup? I can’t have any sweeteners including liquid ones. Would dates work all right if I blend them with some sauce in the Vitamix? What about some cooked sweet potato or carrots to add sweetness?

    Reply

    • Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (17)Shane Martin

      Hi, Haley! The dates would work best. But, honestly, you could leave it out and it would be more of a savory sauce without the sweeteness.

      Reply

  4. Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (18)Selina Careen

    Simple and delicious Marnera sauce.
    I also made your Hummus recipe..so easy and delicious.
    Your recipes are so easy, not time consuming
    and taste wicked!

    Reply

    • Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (19)Shane Martin

      Selina, thank you so much and so glad you are enjoying the recipes.

      Reply

  5. Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (20)Beverly Valley

    My new go to sauce. I’m already thinking of all the things I can pour this over for a yummy dinner! Thank you!

    Reply

  6. Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (21)Lisa M

    My husband loves spaghetti with meat sauce , so I used your recipe as a guide. I used fresh garlic and onions, substituted an Italian seasoning blend, added frozen mushrooms and a soy-based meat substitute. We loved it. I may add a little tomato paste next time to make the sauce a little thicker. You have some really simple and great-looking recipes and I can’t wait to try many of them.

    Reply

  7. Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (22)Shannon

    Very Flavourful! Was looking for a good replacement to my favourite store bought that has oil and this may be it. The easiness of this makes it a true contender as well. TY

    Reply

  8. Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (23)Jen

    So tasty and easy to make! Thanks!

    Reply

    • Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (24)Shane Martin

      Thank you!

      Reply

  9. Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (25)Melanie Owens

    So easy, no special ingredients, and I think it’s the best marinara I’ve ever made! Thanks, Shane!

    Reply

    • Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (26)Shane Martin

      Thank you so much!!!

      Reply

    • Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (28)Shane Martin

      Bitter? Hmmmm, that’s new. I’ve never heard of that happening before. Let me think on that.

      Reply

      • Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (29)Linda

        Love this recipe!! Have made it many times now, at least once a week and the only time it ended up bitter was because my fresh basil was apparently not so fresh and had started to go to seed which makes it very bitter.

        Reply

  10. Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (30)Shawon Blythe

    So glad I came across this recipe! Trying to eat a more plant based diet. This recipe was simple and quick plus I already had the ingredients on hand. Will definitely continue to use this delicious recipe. Thanks!

    Reply

    • Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (31)Shane Martin

      Thank you, Shawon!

      Reply

  11. Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (32)LaNette Hacker

    Can this be frozen and if so for how long?

    Reply

    • Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (33)Shane Martin

      Yes. It should keep for a couple of months.

      Reply

  12. Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (34)Sripriya B

    Hi ,

    Can we use fresh tomatoes instead of canned tomatoes ? If so. What would be the quantity ?
    Thanks !

    Reply

    • Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (35)Shane Martin

      Yes, absolutely! One 28-ounce can of tomatoes equals about 10 to 12 whole tomatoes. Hope this helps!

      Reply

  13. Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (36)Linda Goode

    Totally awesome Marinara sauce! I will be keeping this recipe forever!! Thank you so much for sharing it!!

    Reply

    • Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (37)Shane Martin

      Thank you so much, Linda! Blessings.

      Reply

  14. Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (38)Sheri Keene

    I have made this recipe MANY times and it is always perfect. It is great over spaghetti sauce or as the marinara sauce in Lasagna! I can’t improve on it. Thanks!

    Reply

    • Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (39)Shane Martin

      Wow, Sherri! Thank you so much for the kind words and I’m so glad you like the sauce. Thanks for rating it too:) Many blessings.

      Reply

  15. Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (40)Sheri Keene

    I loved this recipe. I put it over spaghetti squash and both my husband and I loved it. I froze it and when I thawed it later it was even better!! !Quick, easy and the ingredients are most likely already in your pantry. Thanks!

    Reply

    • Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (41)Shane Martin

      Thank you, Sheri! I’m so glad you enjoyed it and love the feedback on freezing it. It never lasts long enough in my house. LOL!

      Reply

  16. Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (42)Maple

    Thank you Shane for sharing this simple and delicious recipe for marinara sauce. I made this to make plant-based lasagna. The 8 minutes cooking time for the sauce does not compromise the flavor. This recipe is definitely a keeper 🙂
    I used whole Italian tomatoes in a tin which I crushed up by hand before cooking it with the rest of ingredients on the stove top.

    Reply

  17. Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (43)Stephanie DiSantis

    Hi all! Any suggestions for someone who needs to be low/no sugar? I’ve heard sautéing shredded carrots as a replacement for sugar or the syrup could work. Has anyone tried this?

    Reply

    • Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (44)Shane Martin

      Hi, Stephanie! A couple of things: 1) You can leave out the maple syrup and it is still very good. Very savory. 2) Yes, you can shred carrots, saute them, and blend them briefly with the sacue before heating. You could also just add them to the sauce without blending. Hope this helps! Let me know how it turns out. Blessings.

      Reply

  18. Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (45)Christy

    Fantastic marinara sauce- love your ideas & posted on Forks Over Knives FB

    Reply

    • Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (46)Shane Martin

      Thank you so much!

      Reply

  19. Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (47)Shane Martin

    Mark, thanks so much for reaching out and so glad you enjoyed it. Peace and feast.

    Reply

  20. Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (48)Mark Brennan

    I just made this for the first time. It’s easy and delicious.
    Thanks Shane!

    Reply

  21. Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (49)Julie Creveling

    I got so excited when I saw this recipe posted on Facebook today! I have tried several oil free marinara sauce recipes and haven’t liked any of them very much. So I made it tonight and it is absolutely delicious!I even had all of the ingredients already in my pantry! My hunt for the perfect homemade marinara sauce is over! Thank you so much, Shane!

    Reply

    • Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (50)Shane Martin

      Wow, Julie! Thanks so much. I’m so glad you enjoyed it.

      Reply

  22. Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (51)Michael

    Easy and delicious!

    Reply

Vegan Marinara Sauce Recipe (No Oil) | Shane & Simple (2024)

FAQs

Does spaghetti sauce need oil? ›

** You only need the olive oil if you are not browing any meat to go into the sauce. If you use the pan you browned your meat in to cook your homemade spaghetti sauce it will add a nice meaty flavor to the sauce.

Why is marinara sauce not vegan? ›

Q: What ingredients might make a store-bought marinara sauce not vegan? A: Some store-bought sauces may contain non-vegan ingredients like dairy. Always check the label for ingredients like cheese or cheese flavors to ensure your marinara is vegan.

What marinara sauces are vegan? ›

Rao's Homemade Marinara Sauce is our go-to red sauce for quick meals that taste like they took hours. Pair this vegan-friendly jarred pasta sauce with traditional spaghetti and plant-based meatballs for a comforting taste of home.

What can I use as pasta sauce if I have none? ›

Cheese is an excellent way to add flavor to your pasta without having to rely on sauce. Try mixing your angel hair pasta with goat cheese, and toss in sun-dried tomatoes to make an amazing meal with just a few ingredients. Garlic butter is a terrific way to season all types of noodles.

What is a good substitute for olive oil in spaghetti sauce? ›

Here are some alternatives to olive oil for making spaghetti sauce with meatballs: 1. **Vegetable Oil:** Vegetable oil, such as canola or sunflower oil, is a neutral-flavored option that can be used for sautéing the meatballs or other ingredients.

What is a substitute for olive oil in pasta sauce? ›

The 9 Best Olive Oil Substitutions
  1. Grapeseed Oil. Grapeseed oil isa neutral-tasting oil, so it won't add any noticeable flavor to your food. ...
  2. Canola Oil. Canola oil is another neutral oil made from crushed canola seeds. ...
  3. Sunflower Oil. ...
  4. Peanut Oil. ...
  5. Avocado Oil. ...
  6. Walnut Oil. ...
  7. Flaxseed Oil. ...
  8. Sesame Oil.

Is marinara sauce from Olive Garden vegan? ›

Speaking of marinara, Olive Garden's lip-smacking marinara sauce is also 100 percent vegan. Their plain tomato sauce is also a great vegan option, so make sure you ask for extra pasta!

Why don t vegans eat soy sauce? ›

In theory, soy sauce is vegan, as it is only made up of soybeans, wheat, water and wheat which are all, of course, vegan-friendly. However, some manufacturers add ingredients that compromise soy sauce being vegan, using flavour enhancers which are derived from fish or meat.

Is Prego marinara sauce vegan? ›

Are any Prego® sauces vegetarian or vegan? Yes!

Is Rao's Homemade Marinara vegan? ›

This product is likely vegan.

Is Trader Joe's marinara sauce vegan? ›

This product contains 3 ingredients that are not vegan and 1 ingredient that may not be vegan. Which diet do you follow? Follow more than one?

Is Barilla marinara vegan? ›

At its most basic, dried, storebought pasta is usually made from durum wheat semolina flour, water, and sometimes salt. So, when you're shopping for it, you probably aren't giving the ingredients much thought. Aside from egg noodles, most pasta is considered safe for vegans to consume.

What can you put on spaghetti instead of tomato sauce? ›

Some options include:
  • **Pesto Sauce:** A flavorful blend of basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil.
  • **Alfredo Sauce:** A creamy sauce made with butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese.
  • **Olive Oil and Garlic Sauce:** Sauté garlic in olive oil for a simple, aromatic alternative.
Jan 26, 2023

What sauce can I use instead of spaghetti sauce? ›

What can I substitute for tomato sauce?
  • Tomato paste. “I think of tomato paste as the garlic powder equivalent to fresh garlic,” Xie said, noting that it's highly concentrated and very dehydrated. ...
  • Canned tomatoes. ...
  • Tomato soup. ...
  • Ketchup. ...
  • Fresh tomato. ...
  • Sun-dried tomatoes.
Mar 24, 2022

What flour can replace pasta sauce? ›

These are acceptable substitutions as a thickening agent: arrowroot, cornstarch (mixed with equal parts water), potato starch, rice flour, tapioca flour, a solid fat from duck, beef, chicken, or bacon fat, almond meal. Cheese, grated or the water the pasta cooked in.

Do Italians put oil in spaghetti? ›

Whilst you won't catch any self-respecting Italians adding olive to their pasta water, it's a different story once the pasta is cooked. Italians often use olive oil (specifically extra virgin olive oil) to dress cooked pasta.

Should I add oil to tomato sauce? ›

Enrich With Dairy or Olive Oil

Vigorously stirred into the sauce off the heat, these ingredients thicken the sauce for a more silky texture and round out any lingering tangy notes from the tomato sauce.

Why do you add oil to spaghetti? ›

Benefits of adding olive oil in pasta water

This will keep the pasta from sticking while cooking and will also improve the flavor and texture. Pasta and oil are the perfect combination to help regulate intestinal transit. This means that flavor and health go hand in hand when adding olive oil in pasta water!

Do you put oil in tomato sauce? ›

Olive Oil Is Essential for Flavor and Texture. We're getting a bit ahead of ourselves here though. Before you can add your tomatoes to the pot, you have to start with oil. Oil serves a number of different functions in a sauce.

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