Tangy, rich, creamy, tasty and ready in minutes. This beautiful, red, thick, sauciest of sauces is the PERFECT pasta sauce. This San Marzano tomato sauce is absolutely one of my desert island foods.

Seriously, A little bit of this sauce on top of ANY pasta, either alone or with some unctuous meat and topped with melted cheese. OOOoooweeeee, it’s nothing short of a dream.

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS…

1. It’s as easy as opening a few cans, mashing some tomatoes and heating it all up. 
2. Uses the BEST of the BEST sauce tomatoes.
3. Ready in minutes OR allow it to simmer all day. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SAN MARZANO TOMATO SAUCE (FAQ).

WHAT IS SAN MARZANO TOMATO SAUCE?

San Marzano tomato sauce is a terrific, thick, dark red tomato sauce made from delicious San Marzano tomatoes!

WHAT IS A SAN MARZANO TOMATO? 

According to our friends over at Wikipedia, San Marzano tomatoes are similar to a Roma tomato but they are thinner and more pointed with a thicker meat and less seeds. The flavor of the San Marzano is sweeter and less acidic. 

WHY DOES SAN MARZANO MAKE THE BEST SAUCE? 

The San Marzano tomato makes a rich thick sweet and less acidic sauce than other types of plum tomatoes. Personally, I like that you can depend on the san marzano tomatoes to give you the same sauce time after time. 

WHICH BRAND OF SAN MARZANO TOMATOES ARE BEST? 

You will see in the video that I am using Cento brand tomatoes. They are very good and I can find them at most of my local groceries. 

WHAT DOES DOP MEAN ON MY CAN OF TOMATOES? 

Roughly speaking, it means that it is protecting the origin of the tomatoes. Meaning, it’s the real deal. You can check out the information HERE on Wikipedia.

HOW LONG DOES MY SAUCE NEED TO SIMMER? 

The beauty of this particular sauce is that you can eat it on your pasta as soon as it is heated through OR you can simmer it all day long on the stove. It’s totally up to you! 

CAN I MAKE SAN MARZANO TOMATO SAUCE IN A CROCKPOT OR SLOW COOKER?

Sure!

1. Mix all of the ingredients together as stated in the recipe (including the onions and garlic, no worries, they will cook with the sauce). 
2. Smash the tomatoes using a potato masher.
3. Set crockpot on low and allow to cook for 4-8 hours. 
4. Serve over hot pasta.

HOW ABOUT SAN MARZANO TOMATO SAUCE IN THE MICROWAVE? 

1. Instead of using onion and garlic, substitute 1 tsp of onion powder and 1 tsp of garlic powder.
2. Mix the onion and garlic powder together with the other ingredients in a large microwave safe bowl. Smash the tomatoes according to the directions. 
3. Heat for 1 minute, stir and then heat for 30 minute increments, stirring each time, until heated through.
4. Serve over hot pasta.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TOMATO SAUCE AND MARINARA SAUCE? 

Marinara and tomato sauces are similar but a tomato sauce is more complex and sweeter. A marinara celebrates the fresh flavor of the tomato and is a very simple sauce. 

WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE ANY TOMATO SAUCE TO ADD TO MY RECIPE? 

You can substitute one 4 oz can of tomato paste + 3/4 cup of water. Mix those together well until it is a thin consistency. 

WHY DO YOU USE TOMATO PASTE IN THIS SAUCE?

The tomato paste adds a sweeter and thicker flavor to the sauce. 

CAN I FREEZE THIS TOMATO SAUCE? 

Yes, you can freeze this sauce very well. Simply place in a freezer safe container and it will keep in the freezer for 6 months.

HOW LONG IS SAN MARZANO TOMATO SAUCE GOOD FOR? 

• If left out on the counter, it is good for two hours and then you need to refrigerate it.
• Refrigerate the sauce by covering it well and placing in the refrigerator and it will keep for 5 days. 

 

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR SAN MARZANO TOMATO SAUCE

• If you don’t have fresh onions it is OK to substitute 1 Tbs onion powder OR 1/2 cup of frozen chopped onion.
• Substitution of 1 Tbs of garlic powder OR 1 Tbs of jarred chopped garlic is OK to substitute for the fresh garlic. 
• When smashing the tomatoes with the potato smasher, just gently smash and that will leave the tomato sauce slightly chunky.
• As the sauce cooks, the chunks of tomato will disintegrate. 
• If you simmer the sauce for too long and it becomes too thick, simply add some water and stir. 
• This sauce is perfect with my meatballs! 
• If you prefer sauce with some ground meat, simply brown some hamburger or sausage or a mixture of the two and pour the contents into this sauce. 
• This sauce can be multiplied for as large a crowd as  you want to cook for. 
• Use the leftovers to make a meatball sandwich! 

 

WAYS YOU CAN USE THIS SAUCE….

• Use this sauce to make your Amazing Baked Spaghetti or
• Easy Gift Lasagna  or try with
• Amazing Baked Taco Spaghetti! (
• You could even use this with your Fried Green Tomato Parmigiana!)
• How to Make Meatballs for Spaghetti

This isn’t a Southern Tomato Gravy, sauce is different! 🙂 

LET’S SEE HOW TO DO THIS…

First, saute the onions and garlic in a little oil

Add the tomato sauce and tomato paste and stir

Then add the San Marzano Tomatoes and crush lightly with a potato masher. Then add the spices and simmer. 

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THE RECIPE FOR SAN MARZANO TOMATO SAUCE

 

***This recipe was originally posted on Loaves and Dishes on July 3, 2015 and has been updated with new photos, video, information and recipe info***

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For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ~ Jeremiah 29:11