This Homemade Pizza Sauce combines ripe tomatoes, garlic, and Italian herbs, creating a robust, zesty sauce ideal for pizza nights at home. With just a few pantry ingredients and minimal cooking, this sauce is ready in minutes, and you’ll never want to go back to store-bought versions.
Homemade Pizza Sauce
I love making this homemade pizza sauce because it’s so simple and full of flavor. You can adjust the spices to make it your own, and the freshness of the ingredients really shines through. This recipe yields a sauce with just the right amount of tanginess and a touch of sweetness, perfect for pizza but also great as a dip or base for pasta dishes. It’s an easy way to take homemade pizza to the next level!
Pair this pizza sauce with Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe for a from-scratch pizza experience, or use it with Garlic Parmesan Potatoes Recipe as a fun dipping sauce option.
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This sauce comes together in just 10 minutes with no cooking required.
- Customizable Flavor: Adjust the herbs and spices to suit your taste.
- Versatile: Great not only for pizza but also as a pasta sauce or dipping sauce.
- Budget-Friendly: Making your own pizza sauce is much more economical than buying store-bought varieties.
Main Ingredients for Homemade Pizza Sauce
- Tomato Paste – Provides a thick and rich tomato base with a concentrated flavor.
- Canned Tomatoes or Tomato Sauce – Adds texture and freshness to the sauce.
- Garlic – Fresh garlic adds a robust flavor to the sauce.
- Italian Herbs – Dried basil, oregano, and thyme create an aromatic, savory base.
- Olive Oil – Adds a slight richness and helps the sauce spread smoothly.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe
Here’s how to make this delicious and easy pizza sauce step by step:
- Prepare the Tomatoes: In a medium mixing bowl, combine one 6-ounce can of tomato paste with one 15-ounce can of tomato sauce. Stir until well combined.
- Pro Tip: If you prefer a chunkier sauce, use canned diced tomatoes instead of tomato sauce.
- Add the Garlic and Herbs: Stir in 2 cloves of minced garlic, 1 teaspoon each of dried basil, oregano, and thyme. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.
- Tip: Adjust the amount of garlic and herbs to your taste. For a sweeter sauce, add 1 teaspoon of sugar or honey.
- Add Olive Oil and Mix: Pour in 1 tablespoon of olive oil and mix well until everything is evenly combined. This will give the sauce a smooth consistency and enhance the flavor.
- Pro Tip: Use extra virgin olive oil for a richer taste.
- Taste and Adjust Seasonings: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. If it’s too thick, add a splash of water until you reach your desired consistency.
- Serving Idea: For a tangier sauce, add a splash of balsamic vinegar or a squeeze of lemon juice.
- Use or Store the Sauce: Your sauce is ready to use! Spread it on your pizza crust or refrigerate it for later. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week, or freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
- Serving Idea: This sauce also makes a great dip for breadsticks or a base for pasta dishes.
Extra Tips and Variations
- Make it Spicy: Add more red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for a spicy pizza sauce.
- Add Fresh Herbs: For added freshness, stir in chopped basil or parsley just before using the sauce.
- How to Store: Store leftover sauce in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to a week.
- How to Freeze: Freeze the sauce in portion-sized containers for up to 3 months, then thaw in the refrigerator.
Health Benefits of Homemade Pizza Sauce
This homemade pizza sauce is low in fat and packed with lycopene, a powerful antioxidant found in tomatoes that supports heart health and immune function. Making your own sauce allows you to control the ingredients, making it a healthier alternative to many store-bought sauces.
- Rich in Antioxidants: Tomatoes are high in lycopene, which may help protect cells from damage.
- Low in Sugar: Unlike many store-bought sauces, this homemade version is free from added sugars.
- Customizable for Healthier Options: Use fresh herbs or organic ingredients for an even cleaner sauce.
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