Marinara sauce: typically does not contain meat while spaghetti sauce usually does. It is traditionally used as a dipping sauce. You can use the marinara sauce as a spaghetti sauce or with any kind of pasta. Spaghetti sauce: uses all the same base ingredients as a pasta sauce or marinara sauce, and then takes it to the next level, adding proteins and/or more vegetables and seasonings for flavor. Pasta Sauce: It can have more herbs and seasonings, is a thin sauce, and commercial brands often add meat.