This Keto Marinara Sauce is bursting with rich, robust flavors, perfect for adding a healthy, gourmet touch to your favorite Italian dishes. Enjoy it as a versatile topping or a delicious dipping sauce, all while keeping it low in carbs.

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why You'll Love This Easy Marinara Sauce Recipe
• 🛒 Ingredients for Low Carb Marinara Sauce
• 🔪 How to Make Keto Spaghetti Sauce
• 💡 Tips for Making Low Carb Marinara Sauce
• ☑️ Storage Instructions
• 🍴 Ways to Serve Keto Marinara Sauce
• 🔄 Substitutions and Additions
• Can I Make Marinara Without Wine?
• Are There Carbs in Tomatoes?
• Are Tomatoes Keto?
• Can I Use Fresh Tomatoes Instead?
• 🍽️ More Keto Homemade Sauces

❤️ Why You'll Love This Easy Marinara Sauce Recipe

• Classic robust Italian marinara flavors
• Uses all healthy ingredients
• Made in just 20 minutes
• Serve over spaghetti squash, zucchini noodles or Palmini
• Makes a great dipping sauce for breadsticks, zucchini fries or mozzarella sticks

This recipe for marinara sauce is super quick and easy to make and is filled with rich, robust flavors. Made with fresh, high-quality ingredients, it brings an authentic, homemade touch to any dish. Plus, the aroma of simmering tomatoes, garlic, and herbs will make your kitchen smell heavenly.

With as many store-bought brands of marinara, you may have wondered why you should bother making it from scratch. The main reason is that not only does it taste a lot better and fresher, store-bought brands almost always have added sugar and fillers. With just a few steps, this recipe ensures you're getting a marinara sauce with only the best ingredients.

If you like beefy sauce, you should check out this recipe for Keto Italian Meat Sauce.

🛒 Ingredients for Low Carb Marinara Sauce

• Crushed tomatoes
• Fresh basil
• Garlic
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Monk fruit/allulose
• White wine (I use Pinot Grigio)
• Salt
• Ground black pepper

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

🥣 Recommended Tools

• Saucepan

🔪 How to Make Keto Spaghetti Sauce

Heat a small saucepan and add olive oil to coat the bottom.  Sauté your minced garlic for about 30 seconds (do not brown it or it will become bitter).

Add in the wine and stir, allow to reduce until most of the wine has evaporated.

Add in the crushed tomatoes, salt, pepper, sweetener and basil.  Simmer on medium low for 15-20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes or so.

The sauce will begin to reduce and the flavors will start to intensify into the BEST Keto marinara sauce you've tried!

And just like that, you have a flavorful, low carb, Italian sauce without all the sugars and hidden ingredients of store bought!

💡 Tips for Making Low Carb Marinara Sauce

• Choose the best quality canned tomatoes you can find, because, as the main ingredient, they greatly impact the flavor of your marinara sauce.

• Sauté the garlic until it's fragrant but not browned, to avoid a bitter taste in your sauce.

• Make sure to let the wine reduce almost completely to concentrate its flavor without overpowering the sauce.

• Let the sauce simmer on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, to meld the flavors together and achieve a rich, robust texture.

• Taste the sauce as it cooks and adjust the seasoning gradually to ensure a balanced flavor profile.

☑️ Storage Instructions

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
• Freezer: Freeze in portion-sized containers or freezer bags for up to 3 months.

🍴 Ways to Serve Keto Marinara Sauce

This sauce goes perfectly with homemade mozzarella sticks, in pizza stuffed peppers, or along side these warm and chewy Keto breadsticks. You can also use it in this savory chicken parmesan, or serve as a gluten free spaghetti sauce over shirataki noodles, zoodles or Palmini Pasta.

🔄 Substitutions and Additions

• Spicy kick: Add red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.

• Mushroom marinara: Sauté sliced mushrooms with the garlic for an earthy twist.

• Vegetable marinara: Include finely chopped bell peppers, carrots, or zucchini for added texture and nutrients.

• Meaty marinara: Brown ground beef, sausage, or turkey before adding the tomatoes for a heartier sauce.

• Herbs: Substitute or add fresh herbs like oregano, thyme, or rosemary for different flavors.

• Creamy marinara: Stir in a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of ricotta for a richer, creamier sauce.

Can I Make Marinara Without Wine?

Yes, you can omit the wine. You can add a splash of broth or water for liquid if needed.

Are There Carbs in Tomatoes?

Because there's natural sugar in tomatoes, they do have a few carbs; however, for an average size tomato there are fewer than 5 grams.

Are Tomatoes Keto?

When eaten in moderation, you bet! Tomatoes are actually a fruit and they're perfectly fine on Keto and low carb diets. Not only do they have minimal carbs, they are very nutritious.

Tomatoes are a fiber rich fruit that are also a good source of several vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, potassium, vitamin K, and folate. To learn all about the many healthy benefits of tomatoes, check out this article.

Can I Use Fresh Tomatoes Instead?

Yes, you can substitute fresh tomatoes. Use about 2 pounds of ripe tomatoes, blanch and peel them, then chop and cook them down until they break down into a sauce. Keep in mind that the consistency on the sauce will be slightly different than when using canned tomatoes.

🍽️ More Keto Homemade Sauces

• Easy Alfredo Sauce
• Creamy Mushroom Gravy
• Homemade Pesto
• Bang Bang Sauce
• Homemade Italian Meat Sauce
• Easy Cheese Sauce

*Originally published on April 16, 2018, updated on July 30, 2024 with improvements to the recipe, new photos, new recipe information and helpful tips.