Time-Saving Kitchen Tools for Big Batches of Marinara Sauce

I was born and raised in New Jersey in a half-Italian-American household. One of the things that comes naturally with that is the ritual of making tomato sauce from scratch. I kid you not; I had no idea jarred sauce even existed for most of my childhood. My dad would whip up his version of bolognese for us, but once I transitioned to a pescatarian diet, my mom started making me huge batches of marinara to get me through college. Yes — I was the girl in culinary school with a freezer full of homemade sauce. 

Here we are, nearly 10 years later, and my mom is still making gigantic batches of sauces every month. She has the process down to a science and the little things she does make prep seamless. Some of her kitchen essentials help save her time. From less-expensive food processors to the garlic press that’s lasted her for decades, these tools will help with any recipe, especially big batches. Shop her must-have essentials starting at $10.  

Mom’s Time-Saving Batch Cooking Essentials 

Hamilton Beach 10-Cup Food Processor

This updated version of the food processor she owns is a true workhorse. Its standout feature is the ability to hold up to 10 cups of ingredients, making it perfect for bigger batches. She uses it to quickly pulse onions, allowing her to toss them into the pot. The processor is also great for crushing tomatoes in batches — usually two or three — to get the right amount. This processor has been going strong for over five years and has been simple, powerful, and dependable. The updated model has even more perks, like a slicing and shredding blade, making prep all that much easier. 

OXO Good Grips Heavy Duty Garlic Press

We tested a bunch of garlic presses, and the stainless steel OXO garlic press was a runner-up for our best overall pick, but my mom prefers this heavy-duty one. Its hefty weight allows it to crush cloves in seconds with little effort. Not only is it effective, but it’s also incredibly durable — my mom has been using hers for over 10 years, and it’s still going strong. The weighted design gets a lot out of each clove without applying too much pressure. You can fit several cloves in the press,  making it ideal for higher-volume recipes. Another feature is that one side of the press has small ridges to help clean stuck-on bits. Just flip it over and push to clean it out. 

Aozita 17-Ounce Glass Olive Oil Bottle Dispenser

An olive oil dispenser is a must if you want fuss-free cooking, and this one checks all the boxes. Its space-saving design is just the right size at 17 ounces, leaving room on the counter, and doesn’t require constant refilling. The tinted green glass protects the oil from the sunlight, keeping it fresher for longer. While it comes with two spouts, my mom prefers the flip-top spout because it keeps the oil covered when it’s not in use, and it’s ready to pour the second you tilt the bottle. It dispenses just the right amount of oil, giving you control over how much you use to coat the pan. It’s a kitchen essential, especially for just $10. 

Gusto 24-Piece Quart Deli Container Set

After making sauce for decades, we’ve accepted that food storage containers will eventually stain. Even glass containers will stain over time because of their plastic lids. We use these sturdy deli containers to store our sauce. These low-profile quart containers take up minimal space in the refrigerator or freezer and are dishwasher- and microwave-safe. They also hold just the right amount of sauce, perfect for weekly meals. 

Shop More Sauce-Making Essentials: 

Henckels 15-Piece Knife Block Set 

KitchenAid Can Opener

U-Taste 4-Piece Silicone Spatula Set

All-Clad Stainless Steel Ladle 

John Boos Reversible Wood Cutting Board 

All-Clad D3 Stainless Steel 12-Quart Stockpot