I'm glad you asked because I wanted to clarify this but didn't want to make it a thing.
You get san marzanos in a can. They're basically plum tomatoes grown in italy in dryish volcanic soil and they have naturally high sweetness and low acidity but just the right balance of each that they can be canned without additives like citric acid or lemon or salt. There are a couple of american brands now that I can't taste the difference between but they'll say "san marzano style" or something like that.
But the san marzano tomatoes are important for that recipe since it's so simple. I don't think it would work with just any old canned tomatoes unless you want to do the unthinkable and add a teaspoon or two of sugar to it. Which is probably fine too. Also you take out the basil and onions when the cook is done.
That recipe is really basic but basic in the best way where you just let the few ingredients shine.
View attachment 1253929