A great recipe Napoli sauce is all you need for authentic Italian cooking. Simple ingredients of the best quality made into a rich red Italian sauce that is perfect for all kinds of meals.
Napoli Sauce (Salsa Pomodoro) in a large frying pan with herbs and spices around it.

What is Napoli Sauce?

A good Napoli sauce recipe is great to have. Also known as Napolitana sauce (or Napoletana sauce), Italian Tomato Sauce, Salsa Pomodoro, or Marinara sauce it is a sauce of many names. And of course, neapolitan sauce has many uses.

This easy Italian tomato sauce can be used in all your favorite recipes. Use it for an authentic Italian pasta sauce, with any kind of noodles or pasta. Or

Related recipes: San Marzano Tomato Sauce (Marinara Sauce) / Keto Ketchup Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and easy. A simple tomato based napolitana sauce.

Basic ingredients – all of the 4 main ingredients are basic, regular pantry items.

Adaptable and versatile – make spicy Napoli sauce by adding chilli or red pepper flakes, make a =n amazing spaghetti sauce or classic neapolitan pasta sauce. I love this in our Easy Keto Beef Lasagna and Italian Meatball Minestrone Soup.

Low Carb & Sugar-free – at only 4g net carbs per serve this is a great keto spaghetti sauce option. It has no sugar added and just contains the natural sugars found in san marzano tomatoes and onions.

The Ingredients

Scroll to the bottom of this post for the quantity of each ingredient used and how to make napoli sauce from scratch.

Ingredients for Napoletana on green tiles.

Here is what you need to make your own delicious tomato based sauce at home.

Tomatoes – I use San Marzano tomatoes. They are rich and flavorsome. They are not as seedy as some tomato varieties nor as acidic. This makes them great for unsweetened tomato sauce. They are also Italian and make this an authentic sauce. You can use canned tomatoes or fresh tomatoes the choice is yours. I also love the Ardmona Rick & Thick tomatoes for another option if you cannot get San Marzano. You will find quite a few brands in your local supermarket that are San Marzano.

Olive Oil – use a good quality extra virgin olive oil.

Fresh garlic – I simply split the garlic cloves to flavour the tomato sauce. I then remove the garlic before serving or pureeing. This adds the delicate flavour of the garlic without adding a pungent flavour.

Fresh basil – I use fresh basil leaves. If you can’t get them, you can use a pinch of dried. The fresh basil is well worth growing or sourcing though.

Other spices – Use sea salt flakes, ground black pepper, chili or red pepper flakes if you like a little heat in your sauce.

OPTIONAL – use thickened or heavy cream to make a creamy napoli sauce. Add some pureed roasted red peppers or sun-dried tomatoes for more rich flavors.

HOT TIP: I really like to use the best quality ingredients I can find. Keep it simple and you will make this sauce again and again.

How to Make Napoli Sauce (Salsa di Pomodoro)

Step 1. Heat oil in a pot or frying pan over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; cook stirring until soft.

Step 2. Add tomatoes and season to taste. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook stirring occasionally for 15-20 minutes. Remove garlic before serving. Stir through fresh basil and adjust seasoning as needed. If you want a smooth sauce use an immersion blender to puree the sauce to your liking.

Italian tomato sauce in a skilley with a few basil leaves on top.

Thermomix Tomato Sauce

I also added how to make the Napoli tomato sauce in a Thermomix. Here are the simple steps.

Step 1. Add oil and onion to mixer; chop 5 sec/speed 4. Scrape down sides of bowl and repeat; chop 5 sec/speed 4. Add garlic halves; cook 4 min/100°C/speed 2/cap off.

Step 2. Add tomatoes and season to taste; chop 4 sec/speed 7.

Step 3. Cook 15 min/100°C/speed 2/cap off/. Stir through fresh basil and adjust seasoning if needed. Remove garlic. You can blend it at this stage too if you want a smooth tomato sauce with no chunks.

Tips, Questions and How To Use it

How do I use Napoli sauce?

So many ways! Use it as a marinara sauce for chicken, seafood or pasta sauce. Use it as a base for soups, stews, lasagna, or pizza sauce!

What types of tomatoes should I use?

I use San Marzano because they are sweeter, less acidic and less seedy. If you cannot get them try fresh, canned or frozen roma tomatoes.

Can I freeze it?

Yes, you can! Freeze it in serving sizes best for you and defrost overnight in the fridge before use or gently heat to defrost.

Cheese filled meatballs in a baking dish covered in tomato sauce.

More Recipes To Try

If you love our keto Napolitana sauce recipe then you might just our Pesto Rosso – (Sun Dried Tomato Pesto), Lemon Gremolata Recipe or Keto Enchilada Sauce. I am a sucker for a good sauce that is simple to make and versatile just as this one is.

Watch Me Make It

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A close of an orange frying pan with Italian tomato sauce in it.

Napoli Sauce (Salsa Pomodoro)

A great recipe Napoli sauce is all you need for authentic Italian cooking. Simple ingredients of the best quality made into a rich red Italian sauce that is perfect for all kinds of meals.
5 from 51 votes!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Course: Sauce
Cuisine: Keto
Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free
Recipe Category: Low Carb
Calories: 38kcal
Author: Megan Ellam
Servings: 8 serves
Tap or hover over number to scale ingredients
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Equipment

Ingredients 

  • 1 tablespoon (1 tablespoon) olive oil
  • 1 small (1 small) onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves (2 cloves) garlic cut into halves
  • 800 g (28 oz) tomatoes (28oz), tinned or fresh and crushed
  • 0.5 cup (0.5 cup) fresh basil leaves torn

Instructions

CONVENTIONAL METHOD

  • Heat oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; cook stirring until soft.
  • Add tomatoes and season to taste. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook stirring occasionally for 15-20 minutes. Remove garlic before serving. Stir through fresh basil and adjust seasoning as needed. If you want a smooth sauce use an immersion blender to puree the sauce to your liking.

THERMAL METHOD

  • Add oil and onion to mixer; chop 5 sec/speed 4. Scrape down sides of bowl and repeat; chop 5 sec/speed 4. Add garlic halves; cook 4 min/100°C/speed 2/cap off.
  • Add tomatoes and season to taste; chop 4 sec/speed 7.
  • Cook 15 min/100°C/speed 2/cap off/. Stir through fresh basil and adjust seasoning if needed. Remove garlic before serving. You can blend at this stage if you wish to have a smooth sauce.

Video

Notes

INGREDIENTS
Most Napoli pizza sauce or pasta sauce recipes have sugar or sweeteners added.  I have not added any sweetener as this recipe doesn’t need any. Sugar is meant to reduce the acidity of tomatoes (it really does depend on what you read in regards to this) and that is why it is added in sauce recipes.  Please make it without and if you taste the sauce before blending, you will know if it needs any sweetener or extra seasoning.
COOKING METHODS
I have given both cooktop and Thermomix cooking methods for the Napoli recipe. You could indeed make this in the Instant Pot, Ninja, Crockpot or slow cooker. It wont take much heating, but that is totally up to you.
STORAGE
Store in the fridge for up to 5 days. Freeze and defrost in the fridge as needed.
SERVING SIZES
This recipe yields approximately 8 serves. The actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes. 
SERVING SIZE BY WEIGHT
To calculate the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe by 8. The result will be the weight of one serving. 
NUTRITIONAL VALUES
Nutritional values shown are guidelines only. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on types of ingredients used. Tomatoes and onions are keto friendly when enjoyed in moderation.
The Napoli pizza sauce recipe card instructions contain the most basic steps and ingredients list. If you have any queries, or quest

Your Own Notes

Nutrition

Serving: 1serve | Calories: 38kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 6mg | Potassium: 257mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 912IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 0.4mg | Magnesium: 13mg | Net Carbs: 4g
Tried this recipe?Mention @meganellam or tag #madcreations!

Share This Recipe

33 responses to “Napoli Sauce (Salsa Pomodoro)”

  1. Lori

    5 stars
    Simple is best! Such a great recipe that super easy and packed with flavor! Spaghetti night just got more delicious!

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      Enjoy your spaghetti Lori.

  2. Ann

    5 stars
    This sauce sounds tasty! I am excited to give it a try for our next pasta night! Thanks for the recipe share!

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      You are very welcome

    2. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      I hope you love it Ann!

  3. Tammy

    5 stars
    The flavors sound so wonderful here…nothing beats homemade sauce! Jar this up and have it all winter long…perfect!

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      Absolutely! Thanks for taking the time to come back and leave a review.

  4. Katie Crenshaw

    5 stars
    Loved how simple and easy it was to make this sauce. They flavors came out perfect! We will be making it again.

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      Yay! I am so happy you enjoyed it Katie.

  5. Tristin

    5 stars
    Love a great sauce made with simple ingredients! Thanks for including directions for the thermomix.

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      You are very welcome Tristin.

  6. Erin

    5 stars
    I have a big basil plant with nothing to do with it. I think I just found the recipe! This sounds great.

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      Enjoy!

  7. Tina

    5 stars
    Such a yummy sauce! Love that you include hot tips, they are so helpful!

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      Happy to help Tina.

  8. Swathi

    5 stars
    This is all in one sauce that too easy to make. I am going to try this.

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      Enjoy it Swathi!

  9. Colleen

    5 stars
    This sauce is so simple to make and delicious. It’s perfect for pasta, pizza, and more. Thanks for sharing!

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      You are very welcome Colleen.

  10. Nora

    5 stars
    Perfect tomato sauce! Just the thing when it has to be simple and fast! Love it!

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      Yay!

  11. Elizabeth

    Love the simplicity of this sauce, but still rich in flavor. Thanks for the recipe!

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      You are very welcome.

  12. Bernice

    What a lovely rich looking sauce. I love to make a huge batch on the weekends to last all throughout the week.

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      I am so happy you are enjoying it Bernice.

  13. Loreto

    5 stars
    This salsa napoletana is the basic salsa you can use for many delicious recipe. We love it.

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      I am so happy you enjoy it Loreto

  14. Veronika

    5 stars
    We used the sauce on a simple pasta dish and served it with roasted chicken. It was a huge hit! Nothing beats a homemade pasta sauce.

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      It sure is a great recipe to have.

  15. Patricia

    5 stars
    Love the simple ingredients, fresh flavors, and versatility of this recipe. The pix make you just want to whip up a batch immediately! This is great for so many meals!

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      It sure is!

  16. Sue K

    This is the most versatile sauce I have made… used in countless tomato based recipes from pizza to spaghetti… thanks once again 🙂

  17. Megan

    5 stars
    A delicious sauce that has so many uses.

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