What is the difference between marinara sauce and spaghetti sauce?

While often used interchangeably, there are some key differences between marinara sauce and spaghetti sauce:

Marinara Sauce:

* Simpler: Marinara sauce is a basic tomato sauce, typically made with just tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and herbs (like basil, oregano, and parsley).

* Thinner: Marinara sauce is usually thinner in consistency than spaghetti sauce.

* Focus on tomato flavor: The main flavor profile of marinara sauce comes from the tomatoes, with a bright, fresh, and slightly acidic taste.

Spaghetti Sauce:

* More complex: Spaghetti sauce is typically a thicker, richer sauce with more ingredients than marinara.

* Additions: In addition to tomatoes, spaghetti sauce often includes onions, celery, carrots, meat (ground beef, sausage, or meatballs), and spices like paprika or chili powder.

* More diverse flavors: Spaghetti sauce can be sweet, savory, spicy, or even a bit tangy, depending on the ingredients used.

Think of it like this:

* Marinara sauce is like the foundation: It's a versatile base that can be used in many different dishes.

* Spaghetti sauce is like the finished house: It's built upon the foundation of marinara, but with additional ingredients that give it a more unique flavor and texture.

In summary: Marinara is a basic tomato sauce, while spaghetti sauce is a broader term that encompasses a variety of tomato sauces with additional ingredients and flavor profiles.