Simple San Marzano Tomato Sauce (quick & easy!)

This San Marzano tomato sauce recipe is so simple, you will love it! You can easily make the best homemade red sauce at home in 30 minutes.

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission when you click on the links and make a purchase. I will never recommend a product that I don’t support 100%.

You are going to love this simple pasta sauce!

It's so easy to put together. A few simple ingredients, 30 minutes in the kitchen and you have the best homemade pasta sauce.

It's freezer-friendly. You can make a few batches of this sauce, throw it in the freezer and have homemade red sauce whenever you please.

It goes with almost everything. A simple plate of pasta, homemade pizza, eggplant parmesan, and lasagna, it's the perfect wintertime staple!

Ingredients for San Marzano sauce

San Marzano Tomatoes. You can find San Marzano tomatoes in the Italian aisle of your grocery store! The cans will say San Marzano, and you can always look for that DOP certification stamp for true San Marzano tomatoes. I use whole tomatoes for this traditional tomato sauce.  I always like to keep at least a can of San Marzano tomatoes in my pantry so I can make this sauce. 

Garlic. Always, always, always use fresh garlic for homemade sauces! Using fresh garlic cloves makes for such a delicious recipe and I really recommend using fresh garlic as opposed to garlic powder. 

Onions. I love using garlic and onions as the base for the sauce. Some recipes only call for garlic, but I like the combo!

Basil. Fresh basil is an absolute must. This sauce is all about freshness. 

Extra Virgin Olive Oil. You'll absolutely want to use olive oil to saute your onions and garlic in. 

Salt. I start with only 1 teaspoon of salt, but be sure to add more depending on your personal preferences. You can also add black pepper if you'd like, I usually don't add it to this recipe!

How to make San Marzano tomato sauce

1. In a heavy-bottomed pot, saute your garlic and onions in olive oil over medium-low heat for 10 minutes.
2. Add in your tomatoes and smash them with the back of your spoon.
3. Bring that to a simmer and add in your basil.
4. Then, using an immersion blender give your sauce a quick blend.
5. Add salt to taste and enjoy!

Why are San Marzano tomatoes better for sauce?

San Marzano tomatoes are longer tomatoes known for their low acidity and strong tomato taste. They have thick walls, which makes for fewer seed pockets, and, as a result, fewer seeds. They are perfect for a rich, thick and fresh tasting tomato sauce. 

The quick low-down on San Marzano Tomatoes.

If you're unfamiliar with San Marzano tomatoes, here are some quick details to help you!

What does DOP mean on San Marzano tomatoes?

DOP stands Denominazione d' Origine Protetta, which is basically Italian for a protected designation of origin. If your San Marzano tomatoes have this on the can, that means it's from the San Marzano region of Italy. 

Where is the San Marzano region?

The region is the Agro Sarnese Nocerino of the Sarno River valley near Mount Vesuvius. The rich volcanic soil is known to produce less acidic tomatoes, which makes San Marzano the best tomatoes for a delicious tomato sauce. 

Why San Marzano tomatoes?  

If they aren't already, San Marzano tomatoes will quickly be on your list of basic pantry ingredients. San Marzano is the best type of tomato to make homemade sauce. They're low in acidity and sweet in flavor so they make for a delicious marinara sauce. 

Substitutions and variations

Browning the Garlic. If you really want to enhance the flavor and have longer than 30 minutes, I highly recommend browning your garlic and onions for about 15-20 minutes over low heat. It makes for such a deliciously rich taste. 

Red Pepper Flakes. If you want to add a bit of spice to your homemade tomato sauce, add some red pepper flakes for a bit of heat. 

Tomato Paste. If you want your sauce a bit thicker, you can add a tablespoon of tomato paste after step 1. 

Canned Tomatoes.​ If you can't find cans of San Marzano tomatoes at your local store, or you just have other tomatoes in the pantry, you can absolutely use any canned tomato and still produce a very flavorful sauce. 

Fresh Tomatoes. You can absolutely make this with fresh San Marzano tomatoes, or any types of tomatoes, you'll need around 4 pounds of fresh tomatoes. To prep them, roughly dice the tomatoes and place them in a bowl with 2 cups of water. Add them into the sauce when you would canned tomatoes. If you can't find fresh San Marzano tomatoes, Roma tomatoes or any variety of plum tomatoes are great substitutes. 

What to make with this easy San Marzano tomato sauce

My favorite way to make this is by cooking my favorite pasta, tossing it with some of the homemade marinara sauce, fresh basil, fresh parmigiano reggiano and that's it! A simple tomato sauce for a simple dish that hits the spot every time. However, you can use it in a handful of pasta dishes like this gnocchi with burrata, oven-ready noodles lasagna recipe, or baked cauliflower gnocchi.

Best way to store homemade pasta sauce

Fridge. Store the homemade pasta sauce in an airtight container. Once you're ready to eat it, pour it into a saucepan to reheat. This will stay fresh in the fridge for 4-5 days. 

Freezer. Store the homemade pasta sauce in an airtight, freezer-friendly container. Once you're ready to eat it, pour it into a saucepan, cover, and defrost over medium-low heat stirring occasionally. 

FAQs

Which is better Roma or San Marzano tomatoes?

Both Roma and San Marzano tomatoes are in the plum tomato family. However, San Marzano tomatoes have less seeds and less acidity than Roma tomatoes making them the best choice for homemade sauce recipes. However, you can really use either! 

Are San Marzano tomatoes just Roma tomatoes?

San Marzano and Roma tomatoes are not​ the same. They are both part of the plum tomato family, however San Marzano tomatoes are thinner and more pointed than Roma. 

Does Rao's use San Marzano tomatoes?

Yes, they do! You can make your own Rao's at home with this simple San Marzano sauce. 

Pin it for later!

What to make with homemade San Marzano Tomato Sauce

• Oven-Ready Lasagna
• Baked Cauliflower Gnocchi from Trader Joe's
• French Bread Pizza in the Air Fryer
• Homemade Date Night Pizza