If you’re craving that perfect zingy base for your pizza night, this Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe is exactly what you need. Made from simple pantry staples, it bursts with vibrant tomato flavor, balanced herbs, and just the right touch of spice. Whether you’re a novice cook or a kitchen pro, this sauce will elevate your pizza to irresistible heights with its richness and freshness. Once you taste it, you’ll never want to use store-bought sauce again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients is a breeze, yet each one plays an essential role in delivering the taste, texture, and color that make this Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe so irresistible.
- Olive oil: Adds smooth richness and helps infuse the flavors of aromatics and herbs.
- Onion (optional): Brings a subtle sweetness and a little texture to your sauce when sautéed.
- Garlic: Gives that unmistakable savory punch and warmth to the sauce.
- Tomato paste: Concentrated tomato flavor that deepens the richness and thickens the sauce.
- Dried oregano: The classic Italian herb that adds earthy, aromatic notes.
- Dried basil: Brings a sweet, peppery layer that compliments the tomatoes beautifully.
- Garlic powder: Boosts savory depth without overpowering the fresh garlic.
- Kosher salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the acidity of the tomatoes.
- Crushed red pepper (optional): Adds a gentle pop of flavor without making the sauce too hot.
- Canned whole tomatoes (28 ounces): The heart of your sauce, providing luscious tomato flavor and texture.
- Sugar (optional): Tames acidity when needed, but use sparingly to keep the sauce bright and fresh.
How to Make Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
Start by prepping everything ahead of time. Chop your onions, mince your garlic, and gather your dried herbs and tomato paste. Having everything ready makes the cooking process smooth and enjoyable — no frantic searching mid-recipe!
Step 2: Sauté Aromatics
Warm your olive oil in a skillet over medium heat until it’s shimmering. Toss in the onions and let them soften and brown slightly for 3 to 4 minutes, which brings out their natural sweetness. If you skip onions, start by gently warming the garlic instead, being careful it doesn’t turn brown and bitter.
Step 3: Cook the Garlic and Spices
Add minced garlic and the blend of dried oregano, basil, garlic powder, kosher salt, and crushed red pepper to the pan. Stir continuously for about a minute until your kitchen fills with the heavenly aroma of those perfectly toasted spices meeting garlic.
Step 4: Add Tomato Paste
Stir in the tomato paste, spreading it evenly in the pan. Heating the paste intensifies that rich tomato flavor and deepens the color of your sauce, coaxing out its natural sweetness.
Step 5: Incorporate Tomatoes and Simmer
Pour in your canned whole tomatoes and break them apart with a wooden spoon. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, adjusting the heat to maintain soft bubbling. Let the sauce cook for anywhere between 5 and 30 minutes. Longer simmering melds the flavors even more and thickens the texture to your preference.
Step 6: Balance with Sugar
Taste your sauce. If the tomatoes are too acidic, add a touch of sugar, starting with half a teaspoon. This little bit of sweetness balances the tang without making it sweet.
Step 7: Blend to Desired Texture
If you prefer a smooth sauce, use an immersion blender directly in the pan or carefully transfer to a blender to puree. Remember to be cautious with hot liquids: blend in small batches, hold a towel over the lid, and vent steam slowly.
Step 8: Use and Enjoy
Your Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe is now ready to slather over your dough and build the pizza of your dreams. This recipe yields about 4 cups, enough for roughly 4 medium pizzas, giving you plenty to share or save.
How to Serve Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
While the sauce shines on its own, pairing it with fresh basil leaves or a sprinkle of grated Parmesan just before serving can add a fragrant and savory finish. A drizzle of good-quality olive oil right after baking can also elevate the flavor beautifully.
Side Dishes
This sauce isn’t just for pizza! Serve it alongside crispy garlic breadsticks or as a flavorful dip for mozzarella sticks. It also makes a delightful companion to a fresh green salad or roasted vegetables, balancing the meal perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Think beyond traditional pizza. Use this sauce as a base for stuffed mushrooms, drizzle it over grilled chicken, or even swirl it into pasta for a quick weeknight dinner. Its versatility and depth bring a homemade charm to any dish.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any unused sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for 3 to 5 days, allowing you to enjoy multiple meals with minimal effort.
Freezing
This Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe freezes wonderfully. Transfer cooled sauce into labeled freezer bags or containers, and store for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to use, thaw it overnight in the fridge or gently warm it up on the stove.
Reheating
Reheat your sauce slowly over low heat to preserve its vibrant flavors. If it thickens too much, add a splash of water or olive oil to get it back to your ideal consistency without losing that fresh taste.
FAQs
Can I make this sauce without onions?
Absolutely! Omitting onions is simple and still yields fantastic flavor. Just be sure to heat your garlic gently to prevent bitterness, and consider adding a pinch of dried minced onions for extra depth.
Is fresh garlic better than garlic powder?
Both have their place. Fresh garlic provides bright, punchy flavor, while garlic powder offers a subtle, mellow warmth. Combining them, as in this recipe, creates a perfectly layered garlic taste.
Can I use crushed tomatoes instead of whole tomatoes?
Yes, crushed tomatoes work great and save you time from breaking them up. Just know your sauce might be a bit smoother without the occasional tomato chunk, but it’s just as delicious.
How long should I simmer the sauce?
This depends on your preference. Simmer for at least 5 minutes for a quicker sauce, or up to 30 minutes for a thicker, more developed flavor. Just keep an eye on it so it doesn’t reduce too much or burn.
Why add sugar to the sauce?
Tomatoes can sometimes be very acidic, especially depending on the brand or variety. A small bit of sugar helps balance that acidity, making the sauce taste rounder and more harmonious without sweetness taking over.
Final Thoughts
With a few simple ingredients and minimal effort, this Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe transforms your pizza into a heartfelt masterpiece. Sharing it with friends and family is a joy, and every bite is a reminder that the best things in cooking come from scratch. So, why not whisk up a batch today and experience that fresh, vibrant flavor that only homemade can deliver?
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Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 1/4 cups (enough for about 4 medium pizzas)
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This homemade pizza sauce recipe delivers a rich, flavorful base for your pizzas with simple pantry ingredients and quick stovetop cooking. With options to adjust texture and sweetness, you can customize this sauce to perfectly complement your favorite pizza dough. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s ideal for any pizza night.
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/3 cup onion, chopped (optional)
- 3 cloves garlic, smashed and minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 28 ounces canned whole tomatoes or crushed tomatoes
Spices
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 & 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar (optional, up to 1 teaspoon)
Instructions
- Prep Ingredients: Chop onions and mince garlic. Open cans of tomato paste and tomatoes.
- Combine Spices: In a small bowl, mix oregano, basil, garlic powder, kosher salt, and crushed red pepper if using.
- Heat Oil and Sauté Onions: Heat a medium skillet over medium heat, add olive oil, swirl to coat, then sauté onions for 3-4 minutes until beginning to brown. If skipping onions, heat garlic alone for 1 minute, ensuring it doesn’t brown.
- Add Garlic and Spices: Stir in garlic and spice mixture, cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add Tomato Paste: Stir tomato paste into the skillet, spreading it out and warming it through to deepen flavor.
- Add Tomatoes and Simmer: Pour in canned tomatoes, breaking them up with a wooden spoon. Simmer gently for 5 to 30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld; longer simmer for fuller taste.
- Adjust Sweetness: Taste and add 1/2 teaspoon sugar if acidity is too sharp; increase up to 1 teaspoon if needed.
- Blend Sauce (Optional): Turn off heat and blend sauce using an immersion blender until smooth, or cool slightly and blend in batches carefully in a standard blender. Skip if chunkier texture preferred.
- Store or Use: Use immediately on your pizza or store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Notes
- Onions are optional; if omitted, adding 1 teaspoon minced dried onions can enhance flavor.
- Simmering time is flexible based on desired flavor depth and thickness.
- Blending is optional for a chunky or smooth sauce.
- Adjust sugar to balance tomato acidity according to your taste.
- Store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator or freeze for longer storage.
