Dairy Free Paleo Marinara Sauce
A great marinara doesn't need much — just quality ingredients, a little patience, and the right technique. This one starts with garlic slowly coaxed in olive oil until it's fragrant and just golden, which builds a savory, aromatic base before the tomatoes ever hit the pan. San Marzano tomatoes bring a natural sweetness and low acidity that makes the whole sauce taste like it simmered all afternoon, even on a weeknight. A long, gentle 25-minute simmer deepens the color to a rich brick-red and concentrates every bit of flavor, finished with torn fresh basil stirred in at the very end. Since every ingredient here is whole and plant-based, there's no dairy hiding anywhere — no butter, no cream, no parmesan rind — making it genuinely safe for anyone avoiding animal-derived dairy without any substitutions required. It's the kind of sauce that works over zucchini noodles, spooned onto a grain bowl, or used as a dipping sauce for whatever you've got on the table. Make a big batch and thank yourself later — it stores beautifully and only gets better the next day.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed san marzano tomatoes
- ½ tsp salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp dried oregano
- 8 fresh basil leaves, torn
Instructions
- 1
Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-low heat until it shimmers. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes, if using, and cook, stirring frequently, until the garlic is fragrant and just beginning to turn golden at the edges, about 2–3 minutes. Watch closely — garlic can brown quickly and turn bitter.
- 2
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir to combine. Add the salt, black pepper, and dried oregano.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!