San Marzano Tomato Sauce

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This San Marzano tomato sauce recipe is simple to make and simmers slowly, which makes it perfect for a big family dinner. Or make it and freeze it for meal planning & a quick and easy meal later on.

It’s hard to beat homemade tomato sauce, but it’s even harder to make it taste like the best of the best. And the star of this dish are the San Marzano tomatoes.

San Marzano tomatoes are considered among the best in the world for making sauce. Discover how this tomato is grown, and read about why you should use this tasty gem in all of your homemade tomato recipes!

two white bowls of pasta with San Marzano pasta sauce.

This post is part of the I ❤️ San Marzano DOP campaign. Tomatoes were provided courtesy of the Consorzio di Tutela del Pomodoro San Marzano dell’Agro Sarnese-Nocerino DOP and ANICAV. As always, all opinions are my own.

San Marzano Tomatoes

Allow me to introduce you to the San Marzano tomato. This tomato is incredibly special and only grown in a particular region of Italy. It is not the same as the San Marzano style tomatoes we find in the grocery stores or the seeds we can grow in our home gardens.

I thought they were the same, but I was wrong! True San Marzano tomatoes are grown in the area of Agro Sarnese-Nocerino, in the province of Salerno. The Mediterranean climate and volcanic soil, rich in potassium and phosphorus, make this territory the ideal place for them to grow and thrive.

Aside from growing in this specific region of Italy, they are harvested completely by hand from July to September and immediately canned at the height of their ripeness and peak of flavor and texture to lock in its freshness.

The San Marzano tomato is known as the King of tomatoes or the the “Crown Jewel” of European canned tomatoes! And rightfully so, these canned tomatoes are superb!

San Marzano tomatoes in a large skillet with other ingredients in small bowls.

bolognese sauce combined with pasta noodles in a white bowl.

holding a can of the San Marzano tomatoes above the dutch oven of tomatoes. — **When looking for these tomatoes in the store, be sure to look for “San Marzano dell’Agro Sarnese-Nocerino DOP” on the label.**
Note: the above labels are for promotional purposes only and are not the the labels available in stores.

If you’re like me, quality ingredients are important to you. These canned tomatoes are amazing quality and you should give them a comparison test in your recipes. Using them in place of the standard canned tomatoes in my recipes, has truly elevated the dishes! They have the best fresh taste, are slightly sweet and are just bursting with flavor! Just give it a test yourself and notice the difference in quality and taste!

Where to find San Marzano D.O.P. Tomatoes

There are some important things to know when you’re shopping for authentic San Marzano D.O.P. tomatoes at the grocery store. Some of your local shops will carry them, but others will not. I live rurally and we don’t have them available in our local stores. So, I have to order them online, but rust me, it’s worth it!

Also, if you have an Italian market nearby, they will also carry them!

When shopping for them, you want to look for “San Marzano dell’Agro Sarnese-Nocerino DOP” on the label. What does this mean? D.O.P. = Denominazione d’ Origine Protetta (“protected designation of origin”). DOP certification means that a tomato is the San Marzano variety. But not all San Marzano tomatoes are DOP certified. So, this is why it’s important to read the labels when searching for these tomatoes.

If you need to order online, you can find them here:

Amazon – you can order them in bulk here. There are several brands that will carry these tomatoes. Just be sure to look for the DOP and this “San Marzano dell’Agro Sarnese-Nocerino DOP” on the label to know that they are authentic.

Supermarket Italy – this is where I order mine from. Plus, they also have great DOP olive oils and other Italian favorites. I order my pastas, coffee, and other quality Italian ingredients here!

blue dutch oven pot with San Marzano tomatoes and can of tomatoes on the side. — **When looking for these tomatoes in the store, be sure to look for “San Marzano dell’Agro Sarnese-Nocerino DOP” on the label.**
Note: the above labels are for promotional purposes only and are not the the labels available in stores.

I grew up with Italian family tomato sauces simmering on the stove regularly during my childhood. And this is a version of one of the tomato sauce recipes that has been handed down from our family.

Of course, I’ve made some slight variations over time. And this is one that easy enough to make regularly, you won’t want to go back to jarred sauces.

Plus, even the pickiest of eaters will love it!

two white bowls of pasta with homemade tomato sauce and garlic bread to the side.

Ingredients

One of my top recommendations good quality recipes – use quality ingredients! I really do believe that using quality ingredients will make or break a recipe.

Here’s what you’ll need:

extra virgin olive oil
onion
garlic cloves
28-ounce San Marzano D.O.P. tomatoes
tomato paste
dried oregano
bay leaves
salt
bone broth chicken or beef are great in this recipe — but try homemade broth for the best flavor!
Parmigiano cheese for topping
Salt & pepper to taste

ingredients for the San Marzano tomato sauce in small bowls.

Instructions

This sauce is incredibly flavorful and pairs well with any pasta, as a sauce for lasagna, over homemade pizza dough, or as meatball subs.

Here’s how you can make this homemade tomato sauce recipe at home.

Heat the olive oil to a large stock pot over medium heat until just warm. Add in chopped onion and garlic. Allow to cook until translucent, approximately 10 minutes, and stir periodically.

sautéed onion and garlic in a stock pot with extra virgin olive oil.

tomatoes and tomato paste in the stock pot over the onion.

italian pasta sauce with herbs and seasonings on top of the San Marzano tomatoes.

Reduce heat to low and add in remaining ingredients: bone broth, San Marzano tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, oregano, and bay leaf.

Allow to simmer for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking to bottom of pan.

adding pasta noodles to the pasta sauce.

pasta combined with the San Marzano sauce in a large stock pot.

Serve combined with your favorite pasta, gluten-free pasta, or for a low carb option, over spaghetti squash.

I like to make this sauce without meat so it can easily be used in any recipe. But you can add cooked ground beef, Italian sausage, or meatballs to the sauce if desired.

Sprinkle a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes and freshly grated parmigiano cheese (so much better than the canned parmesan cheese in the store) over top if desired.

two white bowls of pasta with a stock pot of extra sauce to the side.

How to store & reheat leftovers

This tomato sauce makes a large batch and stores really well in the refrigerator or freezer for a quick and easy weeknight meal. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days in an airtight container. To freeze: store inside of a freezer bag or other freezer safe container for up to 4 months.

To reheat, add to a large pot and heat on the stove top over medium heat until warmed through.

More pasta dishes

Here’s a few of our favorite pasta recipes that we think you’ll love too!

FAQ (frequently asked questions)

Can you add meat to this sauce?

Yes, absolutely! I love to make this sauce without meat to use in various recipes. But feel free to add your family’s favorite meat like cooked ground beef, meatballs, or Italian sausages to the sauce.

Why are San Marzano tomatoes good for sauce?

These plum tomatoes are my new favorite to use in my recipes! San Marzanos are the best types of tomatoes to cook with because they have a deliciously sweet flavor, they are low in acid, and they have a fresh tomato flavor without being bitter.

What is so special about San Marzano tomatoes?

Real San Marzano tomatoes are grown in the area of Agro Sarnese-Nocerino, in the province of Salerno. The Mediterranean climate and volcanic soil, rich in potassium and phosphorus, make this territory the ideal place for them to grow and thrive.

Aside from growing in this specific region of Italy, they are harvested completely by hand from July to September and immediately canned at the height of their ripeness and peak of flavor and texture to lock in its freshness.

Give them a try and see why they are simply the best and known as the “Crown Jewel” of European canned tomatoes! Be sure to look for When shopping for them, you want to look for “San Marzano dell’Agro Sarnese-Nocerino DOP” on the label.

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two white bowls of pasta noddles and homemade Italian San Marzano tomato sauce.

San Marzano Tomato Sauce Recipe

This simple to make San Marzano tomato sauce is one that you’ll want to make for a delicious family meal! Using certified D.O.P. San Marzano tomatoes, it is packed full of delicious flavor – you’ll never go back to canned sauce again!

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 1

Total Time 1 15

Serving Size