This Zero Point Marinara Sauce is super delicious, easy to make, and requires only a few simple ingredients!

Makes 4 (1 cup) servings

This Zero Point Marinara Sauce would be perfect with any of these recipes:

Easy Pizza Crescents

Cream Cheese Chicken Lasagna 

Pepperoni Crusted Stuffed Chicken Breasts

 What ingredients do I need to make this Zero Point Marinara Sauce?

• San Marsano tomatoes- canned whole peeled or crushed tomatoes. San Marsano tomatoes are praised for their special flavor.
• Garlic-minced
• Fresh basil leaves- or dried basil 
• Oregano-fresh or dried
• Onion-minced or fresh
• Fresh parsley-or dried parsley 
• Kosher salt
• Tomato sauce- to thin the sauce out.

What kind of tomatoes do you recommend?

I’ve been making this zero point Zero Point Marinara Sauce for years. Recently, I’ve been using the canned San Marzano tomatoes instead of Hunt’s (Plum Tomatoes from California) and I must say San Marzano (grown in a specific region of Italy) tomatoes really do enhance the flavor of this marinara sauce and gives it the sweet rich flavor it deserves!

What are San Marzano tomatoes?

The San Marzano tomato is a type of plum tomato, and it’s longer and thinner than the typical plum tomato you might see in grocery stores. 

The term “San Marzano” refers to a variety of tomato grown in a specific region of Italy: the Agro Sarnese Nocerino of the Sarno River valley near Mount Vesuvius, where volcanic soils are said to produce sweeter, less acidic tomatoes.

A San Marzano tomato is similar in appearance to a Roma tomato, but thinner and more pointed. The walls of the tomato are much thicker with fewer seeds, which makes San Marzano tomatoes less acidic and sweeter than other tomatoes. These tomatoes are best suited for warmer climates, making the Sarnese Nocerino area of Italy the ideal location to grow them; the rich volcanic soil from Mount Vesuvius supplies the tomato plant with all the nutrients it needs. This area also has a very high water table which ensures the plants get the necessary water supply throughout their growth.

According to, Cento (the canned brand) it’s the only United States brand that has its production facility in the area known as Sarnese Nocerino in the Campania Region of Italy, literally in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius. 

San Marzano Tomatoes have a fraction of the added sodium of American tomatoes and yet don’t taste bland at all. Additionally, they don’t have any calcium chloride, which is an ingredient that American processors often add to help tomatoes keep their shape. San Marzano tomatoes shine in all sorts of recipes that highlight their sweet flavor. 

Where can I get the San Marzano Tomatoes?

I like to buy canned Cento San Marzano Tomatoes. They are zero points on the WW plan. You can find these canned Cento San Marzano Tomatoes at most grocery stores near the canned tomatoes or you can purchase a 6-pack HERE on Amazon.

Does this Zero Point Marinara Sauce freeze well?

Yes, it sure does! Let it completely cool before storing in an airtight zip-lock freezer bag for up to 4 months!

Can this Zero Point Marinara Sauce be canned?

Yes, however before you fill your sterilized jars with the marinara sauce, add 1/4 teaspoon citric acid per pint or add 1 Tablespoon bottled lemon juice per pint. This is per USDA guidelines as a requirement for safe canning.  

Fill the hot zero point marinara sauce into the jars leaving 1/2 inch space at the top.  Wipe the rims of the jars with a damp cloth.  Screw on the clean lids and rims.

Place the jars in the boiling water canning and process for 35 minutes for pints and 40 minutes for quarts (what for a boil before you start the time)

 Turn off the heat and let the jars rest for 5 minutes before removing.

Carefully remove the jars from the water canner and let them sit undisturbed for 24 hours.  Check the seals.  Stored in a dark, cool place the jars will keep for at least a year but for best flavor use within six months.

How do I make this Zero Point Marinara Sauce?

Place canned tomatoes, garlic cloves, fresh basil, and parsley into a blender or food processor, blend for about 30 seconds until pureed.

Place in a large sauce pan or dutch oven. Add minced dry onions, salt, and oregano. Stir until well combined. 

Stir in tomato sauce for desired consistency.

 Let the sauce simmer for ten minutes.

How do I thicken or thin out the sauce?

Depending on your preference of thickness-you can choose to make the sauce thinner or thicker by adding water or cornstarch. 

To thicken: Use cornstarch. Cornstarch is pretty neutral in flavor and can be easily added to the sauce.  Simply stir in a small amount of 1/2 tsp cornstarch into the pasta sauce and let it cook for a minute or two. You’ll often see thickening results with a small amount of cornstarch.

To thin out: add 1/4-1 cup tomato sauce while sauce is simmering. 

Ingredients:

• 1 (28 oz.) can of San Marsano tomatoes, whole peeled or crushed tomatoes
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 5-6 fresh basil leaves or 2 Tbsp dried basil 
• 1 Tbsp dried oregano
• 2 Tbsp minced onions, dried or fresh
• 4 Tbsp fresh parsley or 1 Tbsp dried parsley 
• 1 Tbsp kosher salt
• 1/4 cup to 1 cup tomato sauce, if desired

Directions:

1. Place canned tomatoes, garlic cloves, fresh basil, and parsley into a blender or food processor, blend for about 30 seconds until pureed.
2. Place in a large sauce pan or dutch oven. Add minced dried onions, salt, and dried oregano. Stir until well combined. 
3. Stir in tomato sauce for desired consistency.
4. Let the sauce simmer for ten minutes.
5. Use on pasta, spaghetti squash, pizza, ect.

Notes:

1. For a thinner sauce: Add 1/4 to 1 cup tomato sauce.
2. For a thicker sauce: Whisk 1/2 tsp cornstarch with a little water. Pour into the simmer sauce and stir until well combined.
3. Add 2 tsp of zero point white granulated sugar substitute, for added sweetness. 

 

Makes 4 (1 cup) servings

0 Points®per serving

How do I track this recipe in my WW app? 

Click the link below to go to the recipe builder. You’ll first need to sign into your WW account and then the recipe builder will upload. Be sure to edit the recipe with any ingredients that you use that are different. The recipe builder is the most accurate way to create, obtain, and track the Points®

*The recipe builder link only works for WW members located in the United States. If you are located outside of the United States, you’ll need to access the WW app manually to create the recipe in the recipe builder.