Main Dishes

San Marzano Pizza Sauce Recipe

ByNora Delaney October 18, 2025October 18, 2025

Introduction

This San Marzano Pizza Sauce recipe brings rich, authentic Italian flavor to your homemade pizza. Made with simple, high-quality ingredients, it’s easy to prepare and bursting with fresh herbs and garlic. Perfect for elevating your next pizza night.

A round pizza dough on a metal tray rests on a white marbled surface, with a layer of bright red tomato sauce being spread over it in a swirl pattern by a woman's hand holding a spoon. Around the dough, to the right, there is a white bowl filled with white mozzarella balls and a white dish of thick red tomato sauce held by another woman's hand. Above, a small white plate with blue dots contains sliced red tomatoes. To the left, fresh green basil leaves and red vine tomatoes lay beside a wooden dish with red chili flakes, next to a blue and white checkered cloth and a small glass bottle of olive oil. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

28 ounce San Marzano tomatoes (796 mL, whole peeled tomatoes)
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 bay leaf
2-3 fresh garlic cloves (finely chopped)
2 tablespoons Italian flat-leaf parsley (fresh, minced)
Pinch of chili flakes (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Pour the can of San Marzano tomatoes into a medium bowl and hand crush them to release their juices and break down the tomatoes.
Step 2: Add the salt, dried oregano, extra virgin olive oil, bay leaf, finely chopped garlic, minced parsley, and chili flakes if using. Stir gently to combine everything evenly.
Step 3: Let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes at room temperature. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully before use.
Step 4: Remove and discard the bay leaf before spreading the sauce on your pizza dough.

Tips & Variations

For a smoother sauce, blend the tomatoes slightly instead of hand crushing.
Add a pinch of sugar if the sauce tastes too acidic.
Use fresh oregano instead of dried for a brighter herb flavor.
If you prefer a spicy kick, increase chili flakes to taste.

Storage

Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stove or microwave, stirring occasionally to maintain the flavors.

How to Serve

A close-up of a black pan filled with thick red tomato sauce with small chunks and herbs visible throughout the surface, topped with a fresh green basil leaf cluster in the center; a wooden spoon scoops some sauce from the right side, showing texture and bits of herbs on it; the pan rests on a wooden board with garlic cloves placed near the bottom left, while blurred green herbs and a can are in the white marbled background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular canned tomatoes instead of San Marzano?

While San Marzano tomatoes have a distinct, sweet flavor ideal for pizza sauce, regular canned whole peeled tomatoes can be used as a substitute if needed.

Do I need to cook this pizza sauce before using it?

This sauce is designed to be used fresh without cooking, allowing the bright tomato and herb flavors to shine on your pizza.

San Marzano Pizza Sauce Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 103 reviews

This authentic San Marzano Pizza Sauce recipe features whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes blended with aromatic herbs and garlic, creating a fresh, flavorful base perfect for any pizza. The sauce is quick and easy to prepare, with no cooking required, allowing the natural sweetness of the tomatoes to shine through enhanced by olive oil, oregano, parsley, and a subtle hint of chili flakes for optional heat.

Author: Nora
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: Enough sauce for 2 large pizzas (approximately 2 cups)
Category: Sauce
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: Italian
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

San Marzano Tomatoes

28 ounce (796 mL) can whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes

Seasonings & Herbs

¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 bay leaf
2–3 fresh garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley, minced
Pinch of chili flakes (optional)

Others

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

Prepare Tomatoes: Empty the contents of the can of San Marzano tomatoes into a medium bowl. Using your hands, gently crush the tomatoes to break them down while keeping some texture.
Add Ingredients: Add the salt, dried oregano, extra virgin olive oil, bay leaf, finely chopped garlic, minced parsley, and chili flakes, if using, into the bowl with the crushed tomatoes. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
Let It Marinate: Allow the sauce to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This resting time helps the flavors meld together beautifully for a more balanced and aromatic sauce.
Remove Bay Leaf & Use: Before spreading the sauce on your pizza dough, discard the bay leaf. Then, your fresh San Marzano pizza sauce is ready to use as a delicious base for any pizza creation.

Notes

Choose authentic San Marzano tomatoes for the best flavor and authenticity.
You can adjust the amount of garlic and chili flakes to suit your taste preferences.
This sauce requires no cooking, preserving the bright, fresh tomato flavor.
Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use within 3-4 days.
For a smoother texture, you can blend the sauce lightly, but traditionally it is kept chunky.

Keywords: San Marzano pizza sauce, easy pizza sauce recipe, no-cook Italian tomato sauce, fresh pizza sauce, homemade pizza sauce

Nora Delaney

Leave a Reply Cancel reply