10+ Recipes with Marinara Sauce for Quick and Delicious Meals

Marinara sauce is a staple in many kitchens, known for its rich flavor and versatility. A jar of marinara lets you create various delicious meals that are easy to prepare and satisfying to eat. Whether you’re looking to whip up a quick dinner or impress guests with something special, marinara sauce can be your secret ingredient.

From pasta dishes to hearty casseroles, there are countless ways to use this tomato-based sauce. You’ll discover that marinara pairs well with different ingredients and recipes. Its simplicity and flavor make it a great choice for both weeknight dinners and special occasions.

Pasta Marinara

Pasta marinara is a simple and comforting dish you can whip up any night. With just a few ingredients, you can create a delicious meal that everyone will love.

Start by cooking your favorite pasta according to the package instructions. While the pasta cooks, heat some marinara sauce in a separate pan. You can use store-bought sauce or make your own if you’re feeling adventurous.

Once the pasta is ready, drain it and toss it with the warm marinara sauce. For added flavor, consider sprinkling some grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil on top. Red pepper flakes can give it a little kick if you like spice.

Enjoy your tasty pasta marinara with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 8 oz pasta (like spaghetti or penne)
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil
• Red pepper flakes (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
2. Heat marinara sauce in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F/175°C).
3. Drain the pasta and combine with the sauce.
4. Top with cheese, basil, and red pepper flakes if desired.
5. Serve warm and enjoy!

2) Marinara Pizza

Marinara pizza is a simple and delicious dish that brings a classic Italian flavor to your table. It features a rich marinara sauce, fresh garlic, and just a hint of olive oil.

To start, prepare or buy a pizza dough. Roll it out to your desired thickness. Preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C) with a pizza stone inside if you have one.

Spread a generous layer of marinara sauce on the dough. You can use a store-bought sauce or make your own for extra flavor. Thinly slice a couple of garlic cloves and scatter them over the sauce. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil for a finishing touch.

Once ready, slide the pizza onto the hot stone or a baking sheet. Bake for about 8 to 10 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and crispy.

Ingredients

• Pizza dough
• Marinara sauce
• 1-2 cloves of garlic
• Extra virgin olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C).
2. Roll out the pizza dough.
3. Spread marinara sauce on the dough.
4. Slice garlic and add it on top.
5. Drizzle with olive oil.
6. Bake for 8-10 minutes.

3) Eggplant Parmesan with Marinara

Eggplant Parmesan is a classic dish that combines the rich flavors of marinara sauce with fried eggplant. You’ll enjoy the layers of eggplant, cheese, and sauce baked to perfection.

To get started, slice the eggplant thin, around a quarter inch. This helps it cook evenly and become tender. You can lightly bread and fry the slices for a crispy texture.

Next, prepare your marinade. Spread some marinara sauce at the bottom of your baking dish. Layer half of the eggplant slices, then pour more marinara on top. Add a generous amount of mozzarella cheese.

Repeat these layers, finishing with marinara and more cheese on top. You can also sprinkle some Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.

Bake in the oven at 400°F (200°C) until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. This dish makes a wonderful meal that feels like a warm hug.

Ingredients:

• Eggplant
• Marinara sauce
• Mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Olive oil
• Breadcrumbs (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Slice the eggplant thinly.
3. If desired, bread and fry the eggplant slices.
4. Spread marinara sauce in the baking dish.
5. Layer eggplant, marinara, and mozzarella. Repeat layers.
6. Top with remaining sauce and cheese.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden.

4) Chicken Parmesan with Marinara Sauce

Chicken Parmesan is a classic dish that combines crispy chicken with delicious marinara sauce and cheese. It’s easy to make and perfect for a family dinner.

Start by breading your chicken breasts. Dip them in flour, then in beaten eggs, and finally coat them with breadcrumbs. Fry them in a skillet until golden brown.

Next, spread marinara sauce in a baking dish. Place the fried chicken on top and add more marinara sauce over each piece. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.

Bake the chicken in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 15-20 minutes. You want the cheese to melt and turn bubbly.

Serve your Chicken Parmesan with a side of pasta or a fresh salad for a well-rounded meal. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• Chicken breasts
• Flour
• Eggs
• Breadcrumbs
• Marinara sauce
• Mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Olive oil

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Bread the chicken.
3. Fry until golden brown.
4. Spread marinara in a baking dish.
5. Place chicken in the dish and add more sauce.
6. Top with mozzarella and Parmesan.
7. Bake for 15-20 minutes until bubbly.

5) Marinara Meatball Sub

A Marinara Meatball Sub is a delicious and easy meal to prepare. You can enjoy it as a quick lunch or a satisfying dinner. Start with warm, crusty sub rolls filled with juicy meatballs smothered in rich marinara sauce.

To make this sub even better, top it with melted cheese. Mozzarella or provolone works well, creating a gooey texture that everyone loves.

This dish is customizable, too. You can add extra toppings like sliced olives or bell peppers for added flavor. Serve your meatball sub with a side of chips or a simple salad.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450 g) ground beef or turkey
• 1 cup (100 g) breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) marinara sauce
• 4 sub rolls
• 1 cup (100 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Form into meatballs about the size of golf balls.
4. Cook meatballs in a skillet until browned, then add marinara sauce.
5. Place meatballs in sub rolls, top with mozzarella cheese.
6. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes or until cheese is bubbly. Enjoy!

6) Mozzarella Sticks with Marinara Dip

Mozzarella sticks are a favorite snack for many. They are crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside. Pairing them with marinara sauce makes them even better.

To make mozzarella sticks, you’ll need string cheese, flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs. The marinara sauce is simple to prepare, using just tomatoes, garlic, and herbs.

Start by coating the cheese sticks in flour, then dip them in eggs, and finally roll them in breadcrumbs. After that, heat oil in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C). Fry the sticks until golden brown.

Serve your mozzarella sticks warm with a side of marinara dipping sauce. The tangy sauce complements the cheesy goodness well. You’ll enjoy this delightful combination!

Ingredients

• String cheese
• All-purpose flour
• Eggs
• Breadcrumbs
• Marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)

Cooking Instructions

1. Coat mozzarella sticks in flour.
2. Dip them into beaten eggs.
3. Roll them in breadcrumbs.
4. Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) in a pan.
5. Fry the sticks until golden brown.
6. Serve with marinara sauce.

7) Marinara Shrimp Scampi

Marinara Shrimp Scampi is a delightful dish that pairs tender shrimp with a rich marinara sauce. This recipe is quick and perfect for a busy weeknight.

To start, you’ll need fresh shrimp, garlic, olive oil, and your favorite marinara sauce. Cook the garlic in olive oil until fragrant, then add the shrimp. Sauté until the shrimp turn pink.

Next, pour in the marinara sauce and let it simmer. This helps the shrimp soak up the delicious flavors. You can serve this over pasta or with crusty bread.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450 g) shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• Cooked pasta or bread, for serving

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat (350°F / 175°C).
2. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3. Add shrimp and cook until they turn pink, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Pour in the marinara sauce and let simmer for another 5 minutes.
5. Serve over pasta or with bread. Enjoy!

Marinara Stuffed Peppers

Marinara stuffed peppers are a tasty and easy dish to make. You can fill bell peppers with a mixture of rice, meat, and marinara sauce. This gives the peppers a delicious flavor.

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Then, blanch the bell peppers in boiling water for a few minutes. This helps to soften them before baking.

Next, mix cooked rice, ground meat, and your favorite vegetables. Add marinara sauce to keep everything moist and flavorful. Then, fill each pepper with the mixture.

Arrange the stuffed peppers in a baking dish and pour extra marinara sauce over them. After that, cover the dish with foil and bake for about 25-30 minutes. Uncover and bake for a few more minutes to let the tops brown slightly.

These stuffed peppers are great for a family meal. Serve them with extra marinara and enjoy!

Ingredients

• 4 bell peppers
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 lb ground beef or turkey
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 1 cup chopped vegetables (like zucchini or onions)
• Italian seasoning to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Boil water and blanch peppers for 3 minutes.
3. Mix cooked rice, meat, vegetables, and marinara sauce in a bowl.
4. Fill each pepper with the mixture.
5. Place peppers in a baking dish and cover with marinara sauce.
6. Cover with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes.
7. Remove foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes.

9) Marinara Lasagna

Marinara lasagna is a tasty twist on the classic dish. It features layers of noodles, marinara sauce, ricotta, and mozzarella cheese. The rich sauce adds a burst of flavor that makes every bite special.

To start, mix your favorite marinara sauce with ground meat or vegetables. This will add depth to the dish.

Then, layer the sauce with oven-ready lasagna noodles and a creamy ricotta mixture. Top it off with mozzarella cheese for that gooey finish. Bake at 375°F (190°C) until bubbly and golden. The smell will draw everyone to the kitchen!

Ingredients

• 9 lasagna noodles
• 3 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 lb ground beef or turkey (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a pan, cook ground meat until browned. Then, add marinara sauce and simmer.
3. In a baking dish, spread a layer of marinara sauce.
4. Add a layer of noodles, then ricotta, and more sauce.
5. Repeat layers ending with noodles and sauce on top.
6. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.

10) Baked Ziti with Marinara

Baked ziti is a comforting dish that combines pasta, marinara sauce, and cheese. It’s easy to make and perfect for family dinners.

Start by cooking ziti pasta according to package instructions. You want it to be tender but still firm. Then, drain the pasta and set it aside.

In a large bowl, mix the cooked pasta with marinara sauce. Add ricotta and mozzarella cheese for creaminess and flavor. Make sure everything is well combined.

Pour the mixture into a baking dish. Top it off with more mozzarella and sprinkle with Italian herbs if you like.

Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 25 to 30 minutes. The cheese should be bubbly and golden brown.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450 g) ziti pasta
• 4 cups (950 ml) marinara sauce
• 1 cup (240 g) ricotta cheese
• 2 cups (225 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• Italian herbs (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook ziti pasta and drain.
2. Mix pasta with marinara, ricotta, and mozzarella.
3. Pour into a baking dish.
4. Top with more mozzarella and herbs.
5. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes.