This Low Calorie Marinara Sauce is just 54 calories for 1/2 cup, and can be made in the Instant Pot, Slow Cooker, or on the Stovetop!
In this recipe for healthy marinara sauce you’ll find all three directions, plus a traditional Italian marinara recipe from an actual Italian person!
My family brought these recipes for marinara sauce with them when they moved from Sicily to America. And now you can make a truly traditional homemade marinara sauce recipe that’s healthy and low calorie too!
This low calorie marinara homemade sauce it a traditional Italian Marinara Sauce Recipe. Brought over on the boat from Italy from my great grandmother.
Low Calorie Marinara Sauce
What You’ll Find in this Article:
Ingredients in Healthy Marinara Sauce
Admittedly, I am a snob when it comes to marinara sauce! I never buy the jarred stuff, it’s just so easy to make marinara sauce homemade. Plus the store-bought stuff has loads of sugar, and often is packed with preservatives.
I like to stock up on canned tomatoes for sauce when they are on sale. They hold in the pantry, and this way I’m always ready to make this homemade marinara sauce recipe. And don’t let the sugar throw you off, you only add a pinch (1/8 teaspoon) for 12 servings!
Shopping List for Low Calorie Tomato Sauce:
- Olive oil
- Onion
- Garlic
- 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 15-ounce can tomato sauce
- 6-ounce can tomato paste
- Italian Seasoning
- Sugar
- Salt
- Pepper
How to Make Low Calorie Marinara Sauce
The traditional method of making homemade marinara sauce is to use the stove top, but you can easily make it in the slow cooker and the instant pot. I have even included a video in the recipe card to make this recipe in the Instant Pot!
How to Make Low Calorie Pasta Sauce:
STOVETOP INSTRUCTIONS
- In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium-low heat. Add the onion and sauté 5 minutes, or until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, 1 cup water, Italian Seasoning, sugar, and salt. Cook over low heat for 4 hours, stirring every 30 minutes to avoid burning.
INSTANT POT INSTRUCTIONS
- Combine the oil and onion in an Instant Pot. Set the pot to sauté on medium heat and cook for 5 minutes, or until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes, then hit cancel.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, Italian Seasoning, sugar, and salt to the pot, cover, and cook on high pressure for 30 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally.
SLOW COOKER INSTRUCTIONS
- In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-low heat. Add the onion and sauté for 5 minutes, or until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes.
- Transfer the onion and garlic to a slow cooker and add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, Italian Seasoning, sugar, and the salt. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 to 12 hours.
Low Calorie Marinara Sauce Recipe
My homemade marinara sauce recipe can be made in the Instant Pot, Crockpot, or on the stove top. Directions and even a video supplied below!
More Low Calorie Italian Recipes:
Low Calorie Marinara Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 onion minced
- 8 garlic cloves minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- ⅛ teaspoon sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
STOVETOP INSTRUCTIONS
- In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium-low heat. Add the onion and sauté 5 minutes, or until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, 1 cup water, Italian Seasoning, sugar, and salt. Cook over low heat for 4 hours, stirring every 30 minutes to avoid burning.
INSTANT POT INSTRUCTIONS
- Combine the oil and onion in an Instant Pot. Set the pot to sauté on medium heat and cook for 5 minutes, or until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes, then hit cancel.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, Italian Seasoning, sugar, and salt to the pot, cover, and cook on high pressure for 30 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally.
SLOW COOKER INSTRUCTIONS
- In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-low heat. Add the onion and sauté for 5 minutes, or until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes.
- Transfer the onion and garlic to a slow cooker and add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, Italian Seasoning, sugar, and the salt. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 to 12 hours.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition and Calories in Marinara Sauce
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Article History:
- Originally written and published July 20, 2020 by Audrey Johns
- Updated on September 29, 2023 by Audrey Johns
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