The Best Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe for Pizza Night Magic

Pizza sauce simmers with robust flavors that capture the essence of authentic Italian cooking.

Crafting this delectable condiment at home unlocks a world of culinary potential.

Ripe tomatoes blend seamlessly with aromatic herbs, creating a rich and vibrant base.

Seasonings dance together, infusing each spoonful with incredible depth and complexity.

Each ingredient plays a crucial role in developing an incredible sauce that rivals restaurant-quality offerings.

You’ll find this recipe surprisingly simple yet incredibly satisfying.

Prepare to transform your pizza nights with this game-changing homemade sauce that promises to delight every palate.

What Makes Homemade Pizza Sauce A Must-Try

• Craft Your Flavor Haven: Create a personalized sauce that beats store-bought versions with simple ingredients and big taste.
• Master Cooking Confidence: Learn an easy technique that transforms basic pantry staples into a restaurant-quality pizza sauce without complicated steps.
• Quick Kitchen Magic: Prepare a delicious sauce in less than half an hour, perfect for busy home cooks wanting fresh, homemade flavor.
• Budget-Friendly Culinary Win: Save money by making your own sauce with affordable ingredients that deliver maximum taste and satisfaction.

What Goes Into Homemade Pizza Sauce

• Crushed Tomatoes: The primary foundation of the pizza sauce, providing a rich and robust tomato flavor.
• Olive Oil: Creates a smooth base and adds a subtle fruity undertone to the sauce.

• Garlic: Adds a pungent and deep flavor that enhances the overall taste of the sauce.

• Dried Oregano, Dried Basil: Classic Italian herbs that provide an authentic and aromatic pizza sauce profile.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and amplify the sauce's flavor.

• Tomato Paste: Deepens the sauce's color and intensifies the tomato flavor.
• Sugar: Helps to balance the natural acidity of the tomatoes and round out the taste.

• Red Pepper Flakes: Offers a subtle heat that can be adjusted to personal spice preference.

Quick Steps For Homemade Pizza Sauce

Step 1: Heat the Flavor Base

Grab a medium saucepan and warm olive oil over medium-low heat, creating a gentle cooking canvas for your sauce.

Step 2: Awaken the Garlic

Finely mince fresh garlic and introduce it to the warm oil. Sauté for 30-45 seconds until the kitchen fills with an aromatic fragrance, being careful not to brown the garlic.

Step 3: Build the Tomato Foundation

Pour in crushed tomatoes, blending them with the garlic-infused oil to create a rich, vibrant base.

Step 4: Infuse with Herb Magic

• Dried oregano
• Dried basil
• Salt
• Black pepper

Mix thoroughly to distribute the seasonings evenly across the sauce.

Step 5: Boost Sauce Intensity

Stir in tomato paste to deepen the sauce’s complexity and create a more robust flavor profile.

Step 6: Balance the Flavor

Sprinkle a touch of sugar to soften the tomatoes’ natural tanginess and create a more rounded taste.

Step 7: Add Optional Kick

Introduce red pepper flakes for a subtle heat, adjusting the quantity to match your spice tolerance.

Step 8: Simmer and Develop

Let the sauce simmer uncovered on low heat for 15-20 minutes. This allows the flavors to dance together and the sauce to slightly thicken.

Step 9: Perfect the Taste

Sample the sauce and fine-tune the seasonings. Trust your taste buds to create the perfect balance.

Step 10: Prepare for Enjoyment

Remove from heat and let the sauce cool slightly. It’s now ready to become the star of your homemade pizza or can be stored in an airtight container for future culinary adventures.

Smart Ideas For Homemade Pizza Sauce

• Crush Garlic Perfectly: Mince garlic ultra-fine to prevent bitter chunks and ensure even flavor distribution throughout the sauce.
• Control Sauce Thickness: Simmer sauce uncovered to naturally reduce and thicken, creating a rich pizza sauce consistency without added thickeners.
• Balance Acidity Smartly: Add a pinch of sugar to neutralize tomatoes' sharp taste, creating a more rounded and harmonious flavor profile.
• Enhance Herb Intensity: Use dried herbs generously but carefully, crushing them between your fingers before adding to release maximum aromatic oils.
• Customize Spice Level: Adjust red pepper flakes to match your heat tolerance, from a gentle warmth to a bold kick depending on personal preference.

Fun Spins On Homemade Pizza Sauce

• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Replace dried herbs with fresh rosemary, thyme, and chopped fresh basil for a vibrant, aromatic sauce with intense herb flavor.
• Smoky Chipotle Kick: Add chipotle peppers in adobo sauce and smoked paprika to create a bold, spicy version with deep southwestern undertones.
• Roasted Garlic Infusion: Swap raw minced garlic with slow-roasted garlic cloves, providing a mellow, caramelized sweetness and richer depth.
• Spicy Arrabbiata Style: Increase red pepper flakes, include diced jalapeños, and incorporate extra black pepper for a fiery, intense pizza sauce with pronounced heat.

Great Pairings With Homemade Pizza Sauce

• Pair Pizza Sauce with Complementary Flavors
• Recommend robust red wines like Chianti or Sangiovese that match the sauce's bold tomato profile, cutting through richness with their acidic undertones.
• Elevate Pizza Experience with Crisp Side Dishes
• Select light, fresh salads like arugula with lemon vinaigrette to balance the sauce's intense flavor, providing a refreshing counterpoint to the pizza's richness.
• Enhance Herbal Notes with Beverage Choices
• Choose craft beer with herbal or citrus hints, such as Belgian-style wheat ales or hoppy pale ales, which mirror the sauce's oregano and basil elements.

How To Store Homemade Pizza Sauce The Right Way

• Transfer cooled sauce to an airtight glass or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid, keeping fresh for up to 5-7 days in the refrigerator.
• Pour sauce into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving slight room for expansion, storing flat to maximize space and maintain quality for 2-3 months.
• Utilize ice cube trays to freeze small sauce portions, perfect for quick pizza or pasta meals, transferring frozen cubes to a labeled freezer bag after solidifying.
• For long-term storage, sterilize glass jars and process homemade sauce using proper water bath canning techniques, ensuring safe preservation for several months at room temperature.

Top Questions About Homemade Pizza Sauce

• Why use tomato paste in the pizza sauce?

Tomato paste adds a concentrated tomato flavor and helps thicken the sauce, creating a richer and more robust base for your pizza.

• Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried herbs?

Yes, you can substitute dried herbs with fresh herbs, but use about three times more fresh herbs since they have a milder flavor compared to dried herbs.

• How do I know when the sauce is properly seasoned?

Taste the sauce after simmering and adjust salt, pepper, and other seasonings to your preference. The goal is a balanced flavor that’s not too acidic or too bland.

• Is it necessary to add sugar to the sauce?

Sugar helps neutralize the tomatoes’ natural acidity and rounds out the flavor profile, but you can omit it if you prefer a more tangy sauce or use a pinch of baking soda as an alternative.

Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe

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4.8 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Crafting a delectable homemade pizza sauce brings Italian culinary magic to kitchen counters. Robust tomatoes, fragrant herbs, and simple seasonings combine into a quick, flavorful base perfect for creating restaurant-quality pizzas you’ll crave.

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Ingredients

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Base Ingredients:

• 1 can (14.5 oz / 400 g) crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 1 tsp (5 g) dried oregano
• 1 tsp (5 g) dried basil
• 1/2 tsp (2.5 g) salt
• 1/4 tsp (1.25 g) black pepper

Optional Enhancers:

• 1 tsp (5 ml) tomato paste
• 1/2 tsp (2.5 g) sugar
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, creating a gentle cooking environment.
2. Mince garlic finely and add to the heated oil, sautéing for 30-45 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
3. Pour crushed tomatoes into the pan, stirring to combine with the garlic-infused oil.
4. Incorporate dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper, mixing thoroughly to distribute seasonings evenly.
5. If using, add tomato paste to intensify the sauce’s depth and richness, stirring until fully integrated.
6. Sprinkle sugar to balance the tomatoes’ natural acidity and round out the flavor profile.
7. For a subtle heat, include red pepper flakes, adjusting quantity to personal spice preference.
8. Simmer the sauce uncovered on low heat for 15-20 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and sauce to slightly thicken.
9. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, ensuring a harmonious blend of herbs and spices.
10. Remove from heat and let cool slightly before using as a pizza sauce or storing in an airtight container.

Notes

• Always use ripe, high-quality crushed tomatoes for the most vibrant and fresh sauce flavor.
• Fresh herbs can replace dried ones for a more intense, bright taste if available in your kitchen.
• Control sauce thickness by simmering longer for a denser consistency or adding a splash of water for a lighter texture.
• Make a large batch and freeze portions in small containers for quick future pizza nights or pasta dishes.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 105
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 320 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 7 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg