There’s a reason chefs and Italian nonnas insist on using San Marzano tomatoes. Their natural sweetness, low acidity, and rich flesh create sauces that no other tomato can match. 

In this article, we’ll show you five Italian dishes that truly come alive only when you use authentic San Marzano tomatoes, along with sourcing and cooking tips for home cooks in Singapore. 

Key Takeaways

• Select D.O.P.-certified San Marzano tomatoes for optimal results. They guarantee authentic flavour, balanced sweetness and acidity, and traceable Italian origin.
• Let the tomato lead the dish. Skip extra sugar or heavy spices; San Marzano’s natural umami creates depth even in simple sauces.
• Use the right cooking method. Short simmers for bright sauces (Pomodoro, Amatriciana) and long, slow cooks for hearty ragù.
• Always crush San Marzano tomatoes by hand to preserve texture and control consistency in sauces and pizzas.
• Source from trusted Italian importers like Carecci in Singapore to ensure you’re getting genuine, high-quality ingredients for authentic Italian flavour.

Why San Marzano Tomatoes Make the Perfect Sauce

Grown in the volcanic soil of Campania’s Agro Sarnese-Nocerino region, Pomodoro San Marzano dell’Agro Sarnese-Nocerino tomatoes are prized for their naturally balanced flavour and tender flesh. The unique soil composition and Mediterranean climate create a sweeter, less acidic tomato, which is ideal for a smooth sauce that doesn’t need extra sugar or additives..

San Marzano tomatoes contain higher levels of natural pectin and glutamic acid, contributing to their umami-rich taste and creamy texture.

Unlike generic plum tomatoes, which can be watery or metallic when canned, genuine San Marzanos break down into a hearty tomato sauce with vibrant colour and silky consistency, which is the foundation of traditional Italian cooking.

What Makes a Recipe “Only for San Marzano”?

A recipe truly requires San Marzano tomatoes when:

• The sauce has a few ingredients and relies on pure tomato flavour.
• The cooking method is a short or medium simmer, allowing the sweetness to shine through.
•  The dish is part of Italy’s culinary tradition, such as ragù, Amatriciana, or pizza Margherita.
• The final result depends on the tomato’s texture, not just its taste.

These dishes allow San Marzano tomatoes to express their character fully, something that no ordinary canned tomatoes or Roma tomatoes can replicate.

Neapolitan Ragù (Ragù alla Napoletana)

A family recipe is worth the patience. Slow-cooked meat sauce infused with San Marzano’s richness. It’s a dish where time and quality ingredients meet.

Ingredients

• 800g canned San Marzano tomatoes 
• 500g beef chuck or pork shoulder
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 onion, 2 cloves garlic, salt, pepper
• Optional: tomato paste, fresh basil

How to cook

1. Brown the meat and set it aside.
2. Sauté the onion and garlic gently.
3. Add tomatoes, crushing whole San Marzano tomatoes by hand.
4. Simmer for 2–3 hours.
5. Finish with fresh basil and Parmesan.

Why It Works	How San Marzano Helps
Long simmer	Maintains texture and deepens sweetness
Meat-heavy base	Balances richness with gentle acidity
Minimal seasoning	Tomato flavour stays front and centre

Bucatini all’Amatriciana

Why use San Marzano tomatoes in Amatriciana?

Because this Roman classic balances salty guanciale and sharp cheese with the tomato’s sweetness, and only San Marzano provides that harmony.

Ingredients

• 150g guanciale
• 400g canned San Marzano tomatoes  
• Red pepper flakes, salt, Parmesan or pecorino
• 300g bucatini or spaghetti

Steps

1. Render guanciale fat until crisp.
2. Add crushed San Marzano tomatoes and simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Toss with pasta and cheese.

Tip: Avoid over-reducing. You want a smooth sauce that clings lightly to each strand of pasta.

Penne alla Vodka (San Marzano Tomato Vodka Sauce)

Creamy, slightly spicy, and deeply satisfying. This sauce recipe relies on San Marzano’s sweetness to cut through the richness of cream and cheese.

Ingredients

• 400g San Marzano tomatoes
• 2 tbsp vodka
• 1 small onion, 2 cloves of garlic
• 100ml cream
• Fresh basil, Parmesan, olive oil

Method

1. Sauté onion and garlic. Deglaze with vodka.
2. Add tomatoes and simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Stir in cream, then toss with penne.

San Marzano Pizza Sauce (No-Cook Margherita Sauce)

Can you make pizza sauce without cooking it?

Yes. The most authentic Neapolitan pizzas use uncooked San Marzano tomatoes, preserving their freshness and natural sweetness.

Ingredients

• 400g whole San Marzano tomatoes, drained
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, fresh basil

Instructions

1. Crush the tomatoes by hand.
2. Mix with olive oil, garlic, and salt.
3. Rest for 30 minutes, then spread thinly on the dough.

Using raw sauce only works when the tomato itself tastes balanced. That’s why pizza makers in Naples still insist on San Marzano for their marinara sauce or Margherita base.

Pasta al Pomodoro (Fresh Tomato & Basil)

This is Italy in its simplest form: pasta, tomato, basil, and nothing more.

Ingredients

• 400g canned San Marzano or fresh San Marzano tomatoes
• Olive oil, garlic, fresh basil, salt, pepper
• 300g spaghetti or linguine

Steps

1. Sauté garlic in olive oil.
2. Add tomatoes, simmer 15 minutes.
3. Toss with pasta, season to taste, and garnish with basil.

Because it’s a fresh tomato sauce, only the best tomato can hold the spotlight. Here, San Marzano’s sweetness turns a simple meal into an authentic Italian dish.

Cooking Tips from the Italian Way

• Balance acidity naturally with grated carrot or a pinch of sugar.
• Avoid overcooking short sauces. 10–20 minutes is enough for brightness.
• Add basil and Parmesan only at the end.
• For homemade spaghetti sauce, use crushed tomatoes or tomato purée for a smoother finish.
• Store sauce in airtight jars up to 3 days (or freeze up to 3 months).

Find Authentic San Marzano Tomatoes at Carecci & Figli

If you’re in Singapore and serious about Italian cooking, sourcing the right tomato is half the battle. Carecci & Figli, a trusted importer and distributor of Italian gourmet products, offers authentic San Marzano peeled tomatoes

Why Buy from Carecci & Figli

• Guaranteed authenticity and traceable origin (no counterfeit labelling).
• Italian brands trusted by restaurants and chefs.
• Also carries essentials like Parmesan, olive oil, basil, Italian sausage, and artisanal pasta.
• Available via Carecci & Figli’s online store and selected retail partners across Singapore.

The Timeless Value of San Marzano Tomatoes

San Marzano tomatoes aren’t a luxury. They’re a foundation. Their natural sweetness, low acidity, and rich texture define the taste of authentic Italian pasta, pizza, and family recipes. Whether you’re simmering a Sunday sauce or creating a silky vodka sauce, the right tomato transforms an ordinary meal into a memorable dish.

At Carecci & Figli, cooking the Italian way starts with using the right ingredients. They import genuine San Marzano tomatoes and other essentials trusted by chefs across Singapore.

Ready to bring authentic Italian flavour into your kitchen?

Visit carecci.com to explore our range of imported Italian products, including San Marzano tomatoes, premium olive oils, pastas, and sauces.

FAQs

Can I use other canned tomatoes instead?

Yes, but expect a sharper, less balanced flavour. You may need sugar to offset acidity.

Are canned San Marzano tomatoes superior to fresh ones?

For consistency and year-round quality, yes. They’re harvested ripe and canned immediately.

Can I use San Marzano tomatoes for tomato soup or baked pasta?

Absolutely. Their low acidity and natural thickness make them ideal for tomato-based sauce dishes, such as lasagna, baked pasta, or even tomato soup.