Italian Red Sauce with San Marzano Tomatoes Recipe
This authentic Italian Red Sauce recipe features San Marzano tomatoes for a rich, flavorful base. Slow-simmered with onions, garlic, red wine, and a blend of spices, this versatile sauce is perfect for pasta, pizza, or as a flavorful addition to your favorite Italian dishes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: About 4 cups (serves 4-6) 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 28 oz can whole, peeled Italian San Marzano tomatoes
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup red wine (optional)
- 3 oz tomato paste (or 1/2 of a 6 oz can)
- 2 tsp kosher salt (to start)
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- Crushed red pepper, to taste (start with 1/4 teaspoon if you like heat)
- Water, as needed (in 1/4 cup increments)
- Fresh basil (optional, for garnish or added flavor)
Instructions
- Puree the Tomatoes. Place the whole peeled tomatoes along with their juices into a blender and pulse until the sauce reaches your desired consistency, whether chunky or smooth.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic. Heat olive oil in a 4-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent and develop a rich color, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook briefly for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add Red Wine. Pour in red wine if using. Cook for at least 2 minutes, allowing the wine to reduce slightly and incorporate with the onion and garlic mixture.
- Incorporate Tomato Paste and Spices. Reduce heat to medium-low, add tomato paste, and stir to combine with onions until softened, about 2 minutes. Add kosher salt, black pepper, sugar, and crushed red pepper. Quickly combine to let the sugar caramelize lightly without burning.
- Add Pureed Tomatoes and Simmer. Pour the pureed tomatoes into the saucepan and stir. Simmer the sauce gently over low heat for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Check seasoning around 30 minutes and adjust salt, pepper, or sugar as needed to balance acidity.
- Final Taste and Adjust. Taste the sauce and make final seasoning adjustments to achieve a rich, balanced, and flavorful sauce.
- Serve or Store. Once thickened to your liking, use the sauce immediately with pasta, meat, or pizza, or cool and store for later use.
Notes
- Red wine is optional but adds depth to the sauce; substitute with water or broth if preferred.
- Use crushed red pepper sparingly to control heat levels.
- Simmering at low heat helps develop richer flavors and a thicker texture.
- Adjust sugar cautiously to balance tomato acidity without making the sauce overly sweet.
- Fresh basil can be added at the end of cooking or as a garnish for additional aroma and flavor.
Keywords: Italian red sauce, San Marzano tomatoes, homemade tomato sauce, pasta sauce, pizza sauce, Italian cooking
