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Vibrant, rich, and flavorful, this San Marzano tomato sauce is easily the best homemade marinara sauce you will ever taste. Made in 30 minutes, with minimal ingredients, this tomato sauce has a rich flavor and will surely be a household favorite!
San Marzano tomato sauce is an easy homemade Italian tomato sauce with a unique flavor from San Marzano tomatoes. You can prepare this vibrant sauce in under 30 minutes, resulting in a delicious homemade tomato sauce with a complex flavor. Pair it with oregano or fresh basil to elevate the flavor of ANY dish.
This sauce is versatile and works great with diets of all types. It is a dairy and gluten-free. You can serve it with pasta, zoodles, meatballs, or inside calzones.
Use oven-roasted spaghetti squash instead of pasta if you want a healthier option. I recommend this recipe from The Buttered Home titled How to Roast Spaghetti Squash; it is easy and flavorful!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Simple to make – You can prepare it within 30 minutes or less. You only need five fresh ingredients to rustle up a big batch of authentic Italian pasta sauce. No unique ingredients are required.
- Packed with flavor – This authentic Italian sauce is full of flavor thanks to the delicious San Marzano tomatoes.
- Healthy sauce – This Italian red sauce is gluten-free and vegan-friendly, which will be useful if you want to prepare a meal for a family that follows a different dietary regimen.
What are San Marzano tomatoes?
Originating in Naples, Italy, San Marzano tomatoes are thin and long plum-shaped tomatoes used to prepare an authentic Italian sauce—the thick flesh and plum shape separate San Marzano tomatoes from other types. To be a San Marzano tomato, they must be grown in a specific part of Italy with a D.O.P. certified seal.
These tomatoes are canned whole and preserved at the peak of their freshness. These cans are easily accessible in most supermarkets.
You will always find whole, peeled plum-shaped tomatoes in 14 or 28-ounce cans. To prepare the Italian tomato sauce, blend the tomatoes into a smooth or chunky consistency.
Ingredients
Garlic: Garlic lends a subtle spiciness to the sauce. Always saute the garlic in olive oil for about one minute to achieve the maximum flavor!
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil adds a distinctive Italian flavor to the sauce. I use EV00; you can also use virgin olive oil.
San Marzano Whole Tomatoes: Hand-picked in Italy's Campania region, San Marzano tomatoes are the sauce's superstar. Their low-acid and dense interior creates a smoother sauce than other tomato varieties.
Tomato Paste: Tomato paste intensifies the tomato flavor and thickens the sauce. For the best result, I recommend adding it to the sauce after the whole tomatoes have been crushed.
Basil: Fresh basil lifts the flavor from a good tomato sauce to a great one! I strongly recommend using fresh, but if you cannot, then saute the dried basil in the EVOO before adding the San Marzao's.
Optional Ingredients
I normally add all three ingredients to my tomato sauce. However, these are not required for a great-tasting sauce.
Red Pepper Flakes - Add a bit of spice to the sauce. I like to add a pinch; my husband loves to add a lot more. I recommend keeping a small bowl handy so each person can spice up their sauce if they want to and how much they want.
Red Wine - A little red wine can add a lot of depth and flavor complexity to the sauce. I typically will add ¼ of a cup. Just enough to richen the overall flavor.
Sugar - A pinch of sugar can reduce the tomato bitterness and create a softer flavor.
Garnish Suggestions
- Fresh Basil - Sprinkle the top for a green splash of color and flavor.
- Parmesan Cheese - Use a small amount of cheese as garnish.
- Red Pepper Flakes - Sprinkle a little red pepper on top for a spicier sauce.
Instructions
Prep: Place the canned tomatoes and their juice in a food processor and pulse until smooth. Set aside.
Saute: Heat the olive oil in a Dutch pot or large saucepan over medium heat until it begins to shimmer. Add the minced garlic cloves and optional red pepper flakes, and saute for one minute. Add tomato paste and cook until the color darkens, about 2 - 3 minutes.
Sauce: Add the pureed tomato sauce and optional red wine to the saucepan, ½ the basil, and stir to combine. Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, often stirring, for 15-20 minutes. Add salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar to the sauce to reduce any bitterness from the tomatoes. Before serving, add the remaining basil leaves.
Pairing Suggestions
Being versatile, this recipe perfectly pairs with just about any Italian dish. The flavor of the San Marzano tomatoes uplifts any meal, such as meatballs, chicken cutlets, lasagna, calzones, etc. Here are some dishes that you can pair the delicious sauce with:
- Pizza sauce – Try using it on top of this homemade pizza dough.
- Zucchini Fries – The flavors go perfectly together. I love this recipe. zucchini fries
- Garlic bread
- Lasagna
- Pasta - Try it with homemade spaghetti noodles
- Eggplant and Chicken Parmesan
Frequently Asked Questions
In some Italian dishes, the sauces are interchangeable. However, both sauces are different. The marinara sauce tends to be thinner, spreadable, and brighter than tomato sauce. On the other hand, a simple tomato sauce is generally thicker, creamier, and similar to gravy.
Regarded as high-quality tomatoes in Italy, San Marzano canned tomatoes have thick flesh, a plumb shape, and a sweet flavor. In addition, San Marzano tomatoes have fewer seeds and lower water content than other tomato varieties. With all these qualities, these tomatoes are ideal for making a hearty tomato sauce.
San Marzano tomato sauce is gluten-free and dairy free. Apart from being delicious, this sauce is also healthy and versatile enough to be added to just about any dish.
Storing the sauce is easy, and keep it fresh by following the tips below:
Refrigerator storage – Allow the sauce to cool to room temperature—place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days.
Freezer storage – Allow the sauce to cool thoroughly. Then, transfer it to an airtight container or ziplock freezer bag for up to three months. I find the Ziploc bags easy to store by serving size and laying flat in the freezer.
Reheat instructions – Before using the sauce, allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight. Reheat in a pan at low heat. Make sure that you frequently stir till the sauce is warm.
Recipe
San Marzano Tomato Sauce Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Food Processor
- 1 Wooden spoon
- 1 Medium saucepan
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 28 ounces San Marzano whole tomatoes
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 5 -7 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons red wine (red wine)
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil (2 tablespoons dried basil)
- 1 pinch sugar
Instructions
- Prep: Place the canned tomatoes and their juice in a food processor and pulse until smooth. Set aside.28 ounces San Marzano whole tomatoes
- Saute: Over medium heat in a dutch pot or large saucepan, heat the olive oil until it begins to shimmer. Add the minced garlic and optional red pepper flakes, saute for one minute. Add the tomato paste and cook until the color darkens, about 2 - 3 minutes.5 -7 cloves garlic, minced, ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Sauce: Add the tomato sauce and optional red wine to the saucepan with the garlic and ½ the fresh basil, and stir to combine. Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, often stirring, for 15-20 minutes. Add salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar (optional) to the sauce to cut down on any bitterness from the tomatoes. Before serving, add the remaining fresh basil leaves.2 tablespoons fresh basil (2 tablespoons dried basil), 2 tablespoons red wine (red wine), 1 pinch sugar
Notes
- Fresh Basil - Sprinkle the top for a green splash of color and flavor.
- Parmesan Cheese - Use a small amount of parmesan cheese as garnish.
- Red Pepper Flakes - For a spicier sauce, sprinkle red pepper flakes on top.
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