Skip to Content

What to Eat with Marinara Sauce Besides Pasta (10 Options)

We’ve all been there…

You have a delicious marinara sauce that you want to enjoy, but you’re tired of pasta.

What can you do?

What to Eat with Marinara Sauce Besides Pasta

Don’t worry. We’ve got your back!

Here are some great ways to eat marinara sauce besides pasta.

What to Eat with Marinara Sauce Besides Pasta

Pasta is one of the most popular sides that pairs with marinara sauce, but you can also choose from a variety of other dishes. One of the best is roasted vegetables. Whether it’s zucchini or eggplant, they’re delicious when combined with marinara sauce.

Another great pairing is a fresh salad. A simple salad of tomatoes and cucumbers goes really well with marinara sauce, and the combination is even better when you add a hint of vinaigrette.

Marinara Sauce

Still looking for other options?

Then keep scrolling!

1. Pizza

Pizza Marinara Sauce

It might seem obvious when you think about it, but have you ever had pizza with marinara sauce instead of tomato sauce?

You can add the toppings of your choice on top… we recommend mushrooms and pepperoni!

The next time you’re getting ready to cook pasta but you don’t have any tomato sauce for pizza, give it a shot—you’ll be surprised how much more delicious your pizza night is.

2. Submarine Sandwich

Submarine Sandwich

If you’re a fan of subs, ditch the mayonnaise and mustard and swap in some marinara!

It’ll give your meat a little extra kick and a new flavor profile that will make your next sub night way more exciting.

3. Dip in Your Favorite Crackers

crackers

Marinara sauce is perfect for dipping your favorite crackers in.

This is a great alternative because it’s healthy (if you choose whole grain crackers) and quick to prepare.

And you can incorporate tons of other toppings to add even more flavor or texture.

Here are some tips on how to make this work as a meal:

  • Prepare the crackers ahead of time so all you need to do is grab the marinara sauce and pop them in the oven when you get home from work (you can also use pre-made crackers if that’s your vibe).
  • Add mozzarella cheese and put them in the oven for a few minutes before serving so that the cheese melts into each bite.
  • Serve with fresh basil, oregano, or thyme sprinkled on top for an extra punch of flavor.

4. Add It to Your Soup

marinara sauce soup

Did you know that marinara sauce can do so much more than just coat pasta?

It’s actually a great ingredient to add to your soup.

Here are 3 tips on how to use this versatile ingredient in your next meal:

  • Heat up your marinara sauce and add it to your soup.
  • Chop up some vegetables of your choice and add them in too.
  • Try adding some meat such as chicken, beef, or pork.

To get started with this recipe, simply heat up your sauce in the pan before adding it into your soup along with some vegetables and meat.

5. as A Marinade for Chicken, Fish or Meat

marinara sauce marinade

If you love marinara sauce, but you’re a little tired of eating pasta with it all the time, why not try using it as a marinade?

It will give your chicken, fish, or meat a rich taste that will take your meal to the next level.

Here are 3 tips to get you started:

  • Use a good quality sauce. If you make your own sauce, it’s obviously going to taste better than if you buy it from the store. But if you don’t have time to make your own…
  • Try different varieties of sauce. Many brands offer several options so that you can find one that’s perfect for your taste buds.
  • Enjoy yourself! If you’re worried about trying something new, don’t be! You never know what will happen until you try it.

6. Toss with Roasted Vegetables

marinara sauce vegetables

Tossing roasted vegetables with marinara sauce is a great way to give your diet an Italian flair.

Plus, it’s packed with nutrients and healthy fats from the veggies.

Here are some tips for making this alternative work:

  • Roast your vegetables before mixing them with the sauce. This will bring out their natural sweetness and flavor.
  • Add any type of meat or cheese you want to make it a meal! You can also make this vegetarian by leaving out the meat.
  • Use fresh veggies if possible for optimal flavor and texture.

Here’s how I would do it:

To make this alternative, simply chop up some vegetables (I like broccoli, cauliflower, carrots), toss them in olive oil and salt, then roast at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until tender.

Pour your favorite marinara over the top and enjoy!

7. Top Scrambled Eggs or A Baked Potato

marinara sauce scrambled eggs

You already know marinara sauce goes oh-so well with pasta, but did you know it can also taste great on top of scrambled eggs or a baked potato?

When paired with scrambled eggs, marinara sauce gives your meal an Italian twist—and it’s perfect for when you want something warm and comforting!

Here are a few tips to make sure your meal is delicious:

  • Using whole eggs will give your dish a creamier texture to balance out the acidity of the sauce.
  • Add in some herbs like basil or parsley to give the dish some fresh flavor, which pairs well with the richness of the eggs and sauce.
  • If you’re using a jarred brand of marinara sauce, be sure to choose one that doesn’t have too much sugar in it, otherwise you’ll end up with a sickly sweet egg dish!

8. in A Grilled Chicken Wrap

Grilled Chicken Wrap

Ever have a craving for Italian food, but don’t feel like grabbing a fork?

You need to try a grilled chicken wrap with marinara sauce.

Italian-style chicken is not only delicious, it’s also versatile.

It can be served hot or cold in a wrap, sandwich or even just on its own as a snack.

Here are 3 tips on how to make this dish work as a meal:

  • Use fresh tomatoes instead of canned ones. Fresh tomatoes will add flavor and texture while being healthier than the canned kind. If you’re using canned tomatoes, drain them well before adding them to your recipe so that they don’t add too much liquid to your dish.
  • Add some cooked vegetables such as broccoli florets or cauliflower pieces along with the chicken and marinara sauce for added protein, fiber and nutrients.
  • To make this dish vegetarian friendly, substitute tofu for chicken and omit cheese entirely or use vegan cheese.

Check out this recipe for Chicken Marinara Wraps using marinara sauce.

9. on Top of Frittata or Quiche

Frittata

It’s no secret that marinara sauce is delicious, but it can get a little boring having it with pasta every single time.

If you’re looking for a different way to enjoy the Italian classic, try pouring some on top of frittata or quiche!

Here are a few tips to make this alternative work:

  • You can’t really go wrong with any kind of marinara sauce, but make sure to check the label and look for ones with low sugar content. You can even make your own if you have time!
  • Using whole wheat or brown rice flour in your frittata or quiche will give you more fiber, which will help keep you full.
  • This meal goes great with a side salad. You can also use the leftovers (if there are any) atop some greens for lunch the next day.

10. In lasagna

lasagna

When you go to the trouble of making marinara sauce, you have a lot of options for what to do with it besides just dumping it on some pasta.

First, it’s not too hard to turn your sauce into a stew or soup with the addition of some water or broth and maybe some vegetables.

But if you want something a little more interesting than that, consider using it in lasagna!

Lasagna can be a great way to use up old vegetables that are starting to look pretty wrinkly, but still taste good.

You can also throw in whatever other things you might have on hand: leftovers from last night’s dinner, some fresh herbs from the garden—you name it!

The best part is that this way your family won’t get tired of eating the same thing every day because there are so many different things you can do with lasagna.

Here are three tips for how to make this work as a meal:

  • Start by browning ground beef (or turkey) and sauteing onions and garlic until they’re soft
  • Then add marinara sauce, water or stock, salt and pepper
  • Cook covered on low heat while stirring occasionally until thickened slightly – This will take about an hour!

If you’re feeling daring and want to try some new recipes, check out our favorites:

What to Eat with Marinara Sauce Besides Pasta

What to Eat with Marinara Sauce Besides Pasta

When you think of marinara sauce, you probably think of spaghetti, or maybe pizza.
But there are SO many other ways to enjoy this yummy tomato-based Italian sauce.
Here are a few of our favorite options that don't involve pasta!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 people
Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • Pizza
  • Submarine Sandwich
  • Dip in your favorite crackers
  • Add it to your soup
  • As a marinade for chicken, fish or meat
  • Toss with roasted vegetables
  • Top scrambled eggs or a baked potato
  • In a grilled chicken wrap
  • On top of frittata or quiche
  • In lasagna

Instructions
 

  • Pick any of these ways to eat your delicious sauce.
  • Prepare the ingredients according to the recipe.
  • Be ready to eat in no time!
Keyword What to Eat with Marinara Sauce Besides Pasta