Marinara is a very simple pasta sauce made with tomatoes, aromatics like onion and/or garlic, and herbs. It originated in Naples, Italy. Besides spaghetti alla marinara, spaghetti aglio e olio, spaghetti alla puttanesca, and spaghetti alla carbonara also have Italian roots. American spaghetti sauces contain those same ingredients found in a marinara, plus they may include meat like meatballs, sausage or ribs, and vegetables.