Marinara is a type of Italian tomato-based sauce, while a ragu is a type of Italian meat-based sauce. Marinara is generally a simpler sauce, consisting of tomatoes and seasonings, while a ragu is typically made with tomatoes and some type of minced or finely chopped meat, such as beef, pork, or sausage. So, while marinara is not a ragu, it is still a tomato-based sauce that can be used in many dishes.