Quick Answer
Yes, marinara sauce can be used as a spaghetti sauce. Marinara sauce and spaghetti sauce are very similar – both are tomato-based sauces that are commonly paired with pasta. The main difference is that marinara sauce has a simpler ingredient list, while spaghetti sauce often contains extras like meat, vegetables, herbs, etc. But the basic tomato flavor of marinara makes it a perfect stand-in for spaghetti sauce if that’s what you have on hand.
Ingredients in Marinara and Spaghetti Sauce
The core ingredients in both marinara sauce and spaghetti sauce are tomatoes, olive oil, onions, and garlic. Here is a comparison:
| Marinara Sauce | Spaghetti Sauce |
|---|---|
| Crushed tomatoes | Crushed tomatoes |
| Olive oil | Olive oil |
| Onion | Onion |
| Garlic | Garlic |
| Oregano | Oregano |
| Basil | Basil |
| Salt | Salt |
| Pepper | Pepper |
| Bell peppers | |
| Meat | |
| Wine | |
| Mushrooms | |
| Carrots | |
| Parsley |
As you can see, marinara contains the core ingredients that form the base flavor of any spaghetti sauce. The only difference is spaghetti sauce often has extras like meat, vegetables, or herbs added in.
Flavor Profile
Since marinara and spaghetti sauce share the same key ingredients, their flavor profiles are quite similar:
– Rich, tomatoey taste from crushed tomatoes
– Savory notes from olive oil, onions, and garlic
– Earthy flavor from oregano and basil
– Bright, fresh taste from herbs like parsley (if added to spaghetti sauce)
– Bit of spice from red pepper flakes (optional in both sauces)
So while spaghetti sauce offers a more complex, layered flavor with the additions of meat, veggies, etc., the core tomato flavor is still there, just like in marinara.
Uses for Marinara vs Spaghetti Sauce
Marinara and spaghetti sauce can be used interchangeably in most pasta dishes:
Marinara sauce is great for:
– Spaghetti, linguine, penne, etc
– Baked ziti, lasagna, manicotti
– Chicken, shrimp, or eggplant parmesan
– Pizza
– Soup
Spaghetti sauce works for all the same dishes as marinara. The additions like meat and veggies simply provide more texture and nutrients.
The only time marinara wouldn’t work as well is in place of a meat-based sauce like Bolognese or ragu. But for basic tomato-based Italian dishes, marinara can stand in perfectly well for spaghetti sauce.
How to Substitute Marinara for Spaghetti Sauce
Using marinara when a recipe calls for spaghetti sauce is easy:
– Use the same amount called for in the recipe.
– If the spaghetti sauce contains big chunks like meat or veggies, you may want to add a little extra marinara for more volume.
– For flavor, add common spaghetti sauce seasonings:
– Dried basil, oregano, parsley
– Garlic powder, onion powder
– Dash of red pepper flakes
– Salt and black pepper
– For a meaty taste, you can brown ground beef or Italian sausage and stir into the marinara.
– For extra texture, saute mushrooms, peppers, carrots etc and add.
With just a few tweaks like this, marinara can replicate the full flavor of a hearty spaghetti sauce.
Conclusion
Marinara sauce makes an excellent stand-in for spaghetti sauce in a pinch. Its tomato base provides the same rich, Italian flavor. While marinara has a simpler ingredient list than a loaded spaghetti sauce, you can spice it up with extra herbs, spices, meat or veggies to approximate the same taste. As two close tomato-based cousins, marinara and spaghetti sauce can be used interchangeably in nearly any recipe. So next time you have marinara but need spaghetti sauce, don’t hesitate to substitute it in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use marinara sauce from a jar?
Yes, jarred marinara works perfectly as a substitute for spaghetti sauce. High-quality, brand-name jarred marinaras contain the same fresh ingredients as homemade, so they make a quick and easy swap.
What’s the difference between pasta sauce, marinara, and spaghetti sauce?
Pasta sauce is a broad term for any sauce to top pasta. Marinara and spaghetti sauce are two types of tomato-based pasta sauce. Marinara contains tomatoes, olive oil, onions, garlic, and Italian herbs. Spaghetti sauce starts with a marinara base but also contains extras like meat, mushrooms, veggies, and more herbs.
Should I add anything to marinara to enhance the flavor?
For extra depth, you can add common Italian herbs and spices to marinara when substituting for spaghetti sauce. Options include basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, parsley, fennel seed, bay leaf, garlic powder, onion powder. Sauteed mushrooms, bell peppers, ground meat, or Italian sausage also boost flavor.
Does marinara sauce require refrigeration after opening?
An opened jar of marinara will last one week in the refrigerator. Pour into an airtight container and store in fridge if not using up within a few days. You can also freeze leftovers in a freezer bag or container for 1-2 months.
Can I use plain tomato sauce instead of marinara or spaghetti sauce?
Plain tomato sauce has a more subtle flavor than either marinara or spaghetti sauce. But you can turn plain tomato sauce into a simple marinara by adding olive oil, onions, garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Or customize it further to replicate a heartier spaghetti sauce.