Several folk theories exist as to the origin of this sauce.
One version states that cooks aboard Neapolitan ships returning from the Americas invented marinara sauce in the mid-16th century after Spaniards introduced the tomato (a central Mexican "New World" fruit) to Europe.
 Another theory states this was a sauce prepared by the wives of Neapolitan sailors upon their return from the sea.

Historically, however, the first Italian cookbook to include tomato sauce, Lo Scalco alla Moderna ('The Modern Steward'), was written by Italian chef Antonio Latini and was published in two volumes in 1692 and 1694.
Latini served as the Steward of the First Minister to the Spanish Viceroy of Naples.
This early tomato sauce was more like a modern tomato salsa.

A sauce similar to Italian-American marinara sauce is known in some areas of Central Italy as sugo finto.
Several folk theories exist as to the origin of this sauce. One version states that cooks aboard Neapolitan ships returning from the Americas invented marinara sauce in the mid-16th century after Spaniards introduced the tomato (a central Mexican "New World" fruit) to Europe.  Another theory states this was a sauce prepared by the wives of Neapolitan sailors upon their return from the sea. 
Historically, however, the first Italian cookbook to include tomato sauce, Lo Scalco alla Moderna ('The Modern Steward'), was written by Italian chef Antonio Latini and was published in two volumes in 1692 and 1694. Latini served as the Steward of the First Minister to the Spanish Viceroy of Naples. This early tomato sauce was more like a modern tomato salsa.
A sauce similar to Italian-American marinara sauce is known in some areas of Central Italy as sugo finto.
Marinara sauce