# Best Canned San Marzano Tomatoes for Pizza Sauce Source: https://pizzaovencraft.com/best/best-canned-san-marzano-tomatoes Updated: 2026-09-15 Publisher: Pizza Oven Craft. Our score is an editorial rating out of 10 (fit 35%, features 25%, build 20%, value 20%), not a customer rating. Method: https://pizzaovencraft.com/how-we-research#our-score A great pizza sauce starts long before the blender comes out. It starts in the can. San Marzano tomatoes, grown in volcanic soil near Naples, are prized for their low acidity, sweet flesh, and thin skins that break down into a smooth, bright sauce with nothing more than a pinch of salt. The catch is that the label gets abused constantly, and plenty of cans trading on the name hold ordinary plum tomatoes packed in watery puree. This guide sorts the genuine article from the imposters. We compare certified DOP imports, reliable San Marzano-style alternatives, and value picks, looking at texture, sweetness, and how each one behaves once it hits a hot oven. ## Picks ### 1. Flora Foods Tomatoes San Marzano DOP, 28 oz (793g), 100% Italian Quality, Imported (12 Pack) Our score: 8.6/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10) Flora Foods San Marzano DOP tomatoes, 28 oz (793g) imported cans in a 12 Pack, marketed as 100% Italian quality. Pros: - 12 Pack of large cans suits families and frequent pizza bakers - Imported DOP tomatoes bring the classic sweet, low-acid profile to sauce - 28 oz cans make enough sauce for several pizzas per can Cons: - Twelve large cans take up a good chunk of pantry shelf space - Big upfront order if you only make pizza now and then Details: https://pizzaovencraft.com/product/B086GKH9FD ### 2. Cento Certified San Marzano Whole Peeled Tomatoes, 28 Oz (Pack of 6), Canned Plum Tomatoes in Thick Puree with Basil Our score: 8.2/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10) Cento Certified San Marzano whole peeled tomatoes in thick puree with basil, 28 Oz cans in a Pack of 6. Pros: - Pack of 6 lowers the cost per can for regular sauce makers - Thick puree gives body to sauce without long reduction - Widely stocked Cento brand is easy to reorder Cons: - Thick puree can make thin-crust sauce heavier than expected - Not DOP stamped, which matters to purists Details: https://pizzaovencraft.com/product/B08HRCF91P ### 3. La Valle San Marzano DOP Tomatoes, 1.75 Pound (Pack of 5) Our score: 8.1/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10) La Valle San Marzano DOP tomatoes, 1.75 Pound cans in a Pack of 5 for sauce made the traditional way. Pros: - La Valle is a recognized Italian tomato brand with DOP certification - Pack of 5 is a manageable pantry stock for home pizza makers - Whole San Marzano tomatoes give bright, simple pizza sauce Cons: - Fewer cans than some multi-packs for a similar outlay - Cans need draining of excess juice to avoid soggy pizzas Details: https://pizzaovencraft.com/product/B005IDXQXM ### 4. La Valle San Marzano D.O.P. Italian Peeled Tomatoes, 6-Pack of 28 oz Cans Our score: 8.1/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10) La Valle San Marzano D.O.P. Italian peeled tomatoes in a 6-Pack of 28 oz cans for sauce and cooking. Pros: - D.O.P. certified tomatoes offer traceable Italian origin - 6-Pack of 28 oz cans covers pizza sauce plus pasta nights - Peeled tomatoes blend into a smooth or rustic sauce as you prefer Cons: - Large cans can be too much for a single pizza, so plan leftovers - Price per can is higher than non-DOP plum tomatoes Details: https://pizzaovencraft.com/product/B01HIT10UY ### 5. San Marzano DOP Authentic Whole Peeled Plum Tomatoes, 1.75 Pound (Pack of 6) Our score: 7.8/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10) San Marzano DOP authentic whole peeled plum tomatoes, 1.75 Pound cans in a Pack of 6 for classic pizza sauce. Pros: - DOP labeling means the tomatoes come from the protected San Marzano area - Whole peeled plums crush by hand into a fresh, uncooked pizza sauce - Pack of 6 keeps sauce on hand for many pizza nights Cons: - Brand name is not clear in the listing, which makes quality harder to trace - Whole tomatoes need crushing and draining before they suit thin pizzas Details: https://pizzaovencraft.com/product/B00UW9EFAK ### 6. Napoli Italian San Marzano D.O.P. Whole Tomatoes, 5-Pack of 28 oz Cans Our score: 7.8/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10) Napoli Italian San Marzano D.O.P. whole tomatoes in a 5-Pack of 28 oz cans for traditional pizza sauce. Pros: - D.O.P. whole tomatoes suit a classic uncooked Neapolitan sauce - 5-Pack of 28 oz cans gives a good pantry supply - Whole tomatoes keep texture better than pre-crushed products Cons: - Lesser-known label compared with Cento or La Valle - Needs hand crushing and seasoning before use on pizza Details: https://pizzaovencraft.com/product/B005IE1JDK ### 7. Cento Certified San Marzano Whole Peeled Tomatoes with Basil, 28 oz, Grown & Processed in Italy Our score: 7.8/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10) Cento Certified San Marzano whole peeled tomatoes with basil, a 28 oz can grown and processed in Italy. Pros: - Basil leaf in the can adds herbal notes to simple pizza sauce - Cento is a widely available choice for San Marzano style tomatoes in the US - Grown and processed in Italy for authentic flavor Cons: - Certified label is not the same as the DOP stamp on some rivals - Basil flavor may not suit every sauce recipe Details: https://pizzaovencraft.com/product/B007K5EUWC ### 8. Italbrand San Marzano Tomatoes D.O.P., 28 Ounce Can Our score: 7.3/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10) Italbrand San Marzano tomatoes D.O.P. in a single 28 Ounce can, an easy way to try certified San Marzanos. Pros: - Single 28 Ounce can lets you test the flavor before buying in bulk - D.O.P. certification signals authentic San Marzano origin - Enough tomatoes for several pizzas' worth of sauce Cons: - Single can is a pricier way to buy compared with multi-packs - Italbrand is less familiar to US shoppers than larger labels Details: https://pizzaovencraft.com/product/B000N17T4G As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.