If you’ve ever wondered how to elevate your homemade pizza to restaurant-quality deliciousness, the secret often lies in the sauce. This Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe is a vibrant, flavorful base made from simple pantry staples that come together to create that perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and aromatic good stuff. Whether you’re a seasoned home chef or just starting your pizza journey, this sauce will become your go-to for adding that irresistible, fresh-from-the-oven charm.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting your ingredients right can make all the difference in your sauce’s flavor and texture. Each element in this recipe is thoughtfully selected to bring out the best in your pizza sauce, creating a luscious, well-rounded base that’ll make every slice shine.
- Tomato paste: Provides a rich, concentrated tomato flavor and thick texture that’s essential for a hearty sauce.
- Tomato passata: Adds freshness and smooth consistency, balancing the thickness of the paste.
- Olive oil: Brings a silky richness and helps marry all the flavors together.
- Garlic: Finely minced or grated, it adds a savory punch without overpowering.
- Onion: Finely chopped to lend a subtle sweetness and depth.
- White sugar: Just enough to cut acidity and create harmony.
- Salt: Enhances all the other flavors, making the sauce come alive.
- Dried herbs (parsley, basil, oregano): Optional but fantastic for that classic Italian aroma and taste.
- Water: Helps to loosen the sauce to the perfect spreading consistency.
- Canned crushed tomatoes: The fresh base that gives the sauce body and a wholesome tomato character.
How to Make Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Sauté your aromatics
Start by heating 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped small onion and grated or minced garlic and sauté gently until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant. This step helps to unlock the sweet and savory notes that’ll infuse your sauce with warmth.
Step 2: Combine tomatoes and seasonings
Now, pour in the canned crushed tomatoes along with 1 cup of tomato passata and the tomato paste. Stir to combine the thick paste with the fresher passata, creating a wonderfully balanced texture. Add 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon sugar. These ingredients will provide the perfect savory balance and a touch of sweetness to round out the acidity of the tomatoes.
Step 3: Simmer and infuse flavors
Lower the heat and let the sauce gently simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. This lets the flavors meld beautifully and the sauce thicken just enough to spread easily on your pizza dough. If you like, add optional dried parsley, basil, and oregano at this stage to boost herbal aroma. Add 2 teaspoons of olive oil near the end for silky texture.
Step 4: Finish with adjustments
Taste your sauce, and if needed, add a pinch more salt or sugar according to your preference. If the sauce feels too thick, stir in 2 tablespoons of water to loosen it slightly. This step ensures your Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe is perfectly tailored to your taste buds and pizza style.
How to Serve Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
While this sauce shines as the base of any pizza, you can elevate it with fresh garnishes like torn basil leaves or a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese right after baking. These touches add a fresh, aromatic layer that complements the sauce’s rich tomato flavor wonderfully.
Side Dishes
Serve your pizza with a simple side salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette or some garlicky roasted vegetables to keep the meal balanced and fresh. The tang and brightness of these sides contrast beautifully with the deep, comforting flavors of the sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to get creative? Use this sauce as a dipping sauce for breadsticks or as a spread for calzones and strombolis. You can also swirl it into homemade pasta dishes or as a flavorful base for shakshuka. The possibilities are endless once you master your Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftover sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Be sure to cool it completely before sealing to maintain the fresh flavors and prevent condensation.
Freezing
This sauce freezes beautifully! Portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags, then label and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge or quickly reheat on the stovetop for a speedy pizza night.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. Avoid boiling to preserve the bright, fresh tomato notes that make this Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe so special.
FAQs
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
Absolutely! Fresh tomatoes can work well if peeled and cooked down properly, but canned crushed tomatoes and passata offer consistency and depth that make this sauce quick and foolproof.
Is it necessary to cook the sauce before using?
While you can use this sauce raw for a quick pizza, gently simmering it enhances the flavors and softens the garlic and onion, making the overall taste richer and more cohesive.
Can I make this sauce spicy?
Definitely! Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce during the simmering step to tailor the heat to your liking without overpowering the base flavors.
How long will this sauce keep in the refrigerator?
Stored properly in an airtight container, your Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe will stay fresh for up to 5 days. Beyond that, it’s best to freeze it for longer storage.
Can I double or halve the recipe?
Yes, this recipe is very flexible. Just adjust the ingredient quantities proportionally to match the amount of sauce you need.
Final Thoughts
This Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe is a game changer for anyone who loves making pizza at home. With its bright tomato freshness, subtle sweetness, and herby goodness, it’s a foundation that invites endless creativity. Give it a try on your next pizza night, and I promise you’ll never look back to store-bought sauce again!
Print
Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 pizzas
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
This collection of pizza sauce recipes offers multiple easy and delicious ways to create the perfect base for your homemade pizza. From a simple no-cook tomato paste sauce to a rich cooked crushed tomato sauce, these recipes cover a range of flavors and preparation styles using pantry staples to suit different preferences.
Ingredients
Simple No-Cook Tomato Paste Sauce
- 1 cup tomato paste (unsalted)
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp white sugar
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 2 tsp garlic, finely minced (optional)
- 2 tbsp water
- 1/2 tsp each dried parsley, basil, and oregano (optional)
Tomato Passata Based Sauce
- 1 cup tomato passata
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Cooked Crushed Tomato Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, grated or finely chopped
- 800g / 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
Instructions
- Mix Simple No-Cook Sauce: In a bowl, combine the unsalted tomato paste with salt, sugar, olive oil, minced garlic, and water. Stir until smooth and incorporate the dried parsley, basil, and oregano if using. This sauce requires no cooking and is ready to use immediately on your pizza dough.
- Prepare Passata Sauce: In a separate bowl, mix the tomato passata with tomato paste, salt, sugar, and olive oil. Stir well until all ingredients are fully combined. This sauce also does not require cooking and can be spread directly onto pizza bases.
- Cooked Crushed Tomato Sauce Preparation: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Add grated or chopped garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, then season with dried oregano, salt, and sugar. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
- Simmer the Sauce: Reduce heat to low and let the crushed tomato mixture simmer gently for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before spreading on pizza dough.
Notes
- Using unsalted tomato paste allows better control over the salt level in the sauce.
- Add garlic according to your preference; it enhances the flavor but is optional for milder taste.
- The cooked crushed tomato sauce adds a richer, more developed tomato flavor and is ideal when you want a more traditional pizza sauce experience.
- Adjust sugar amount to balance acidity of tomatoes to taste.
- All these sauce recipes yield enough sauce for about 4 medium pizzas.
