Homemade Pizza Sauce (5-Minute Recipe) (2024)

Meet your new favorite red pizza sauce! The secret is out and this is how the pros make red sauce for pizza. It’s ridiculously easy and since there is no cooking required, this red sauce has beautiful tomato flavor similar to what you’d enjoy in a fancy Italian pizzeria!

P.S. We love this on homemade Pizza Dough, but it doubles as a great dip for breadsticks or pizza crust.

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Why this is the BEST Pizza Sauce:

Pizza sauce made from scratch is so much better than store-bought pizza sauces. Pre-cooked and canned sauces tend to dry out on a pizza and the true flavor of the tomatoes becomes dull, while this uncooked sauce keeps it’s vibrant tomato flavor and color.

Authentic pizza sauce is not cooked until it is put into the oven on pizza. I learned how to make the best red sauce from the pizza masters at Bon Appetit and Baking Steal.

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Ingredients for Homemade Pizza Sauce:

Start with your favorite crushed tomatoes. We love Italian San Marzano tomatoes and a single 28 oz can is all you need to make about 3 cups of tomato sauce. Simple flavorings are all you need: garlic, extra virgin olive oil, fine sea salt, and dried oregano.

You might be tempted to add more than 1/2 Tbsp salt but after the flavors meld, the sauce will be perfect. Also, remember your toppings (like cheese) will also add saltiness to your pizza.

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How to Make Pizza Sauce:

To make this easy tomato sauce for pizza, all you need is a blender or food processor and there is no cooking required – seriously!

  1. Pulse together all of the ingredients until blended and well-combined.
  2. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or up to 7 days before using. It’s best the next day.

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How to Store Pizza Sauce:

We love this red sauce because it is a make-ahead recipe. It keeps really well for at least a week in the refrigerator and just gets better with time as the flavors meld together. We love it best the next day which is perfect with our overnight pizza dough.

  • TO REFRIGERATE: Pour sauce into a mason jar or airtight storage container, cover tightly and refrigerate for 1 to 2 weeks.
  • TO FREEZE: You can also freeze pizza sauce by portioning into freezer-safe zip bags, remove any extra air and seal. Lay flat in the freezer and it will be quicker to thaw. You can also freeze pizza dough for an easy pizza night when the craving hits.

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P.S. If you prefer a white sauce for pizza, make sure to try our homemade garlic-parmesan White Pizza Sauce. It is our children’s favorite and the one they always request for homemade pizza.

Get the Print-friendly Recipe for Red Pizza Sauce below:

Homemade Pizza Sauce (5-Minute Recipe)

4.98 from 189 votes

Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com

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This is how the pros make pizza sauce. It's easy with no cooking required. This red sauce has rich tomato flavor. It's also perfect as a dip for breadsticks or pizza crust.

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Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Total Time: 5 minutes mins

Ingredients

Servings: 12 (Makes 3 cups of pizza sauce)

Instructions

  • Combine all of your ingredients in the bowl of a food processor or blender and pulse together until well combined and blended.

  • Cover and refrigerate for the flavors to meld at least 3 hours or store in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 weeks.

Nutrition Per Serving

32kcal Calories5g Carbs1g Protein1g Fat1g Saturated Fat378mg Sodium194mg Potassium1g Fiber3g Sugar142IU Vitamin A6mg Vitamin C23mg Calcium1mg Iron

  • Full Nutrition Label
  • Nutrition Disclosure

Nutrition Facts

Homemade Pizza Sauce (5-Minute Recipe)

Amount per Serving

Calories

32

% Daily Value*

Fat

1

g

2

%

Saturated Fat

1

g

6

%

Sodium

378

mg

16

%

Potassium

194

mg

6

%

Carbohydrates

5

g

2

%

Fiber

1

g

4

%

Sugar

3

g

3

%

Protein

1

g

2

%

Vitamin A

142

IU

3

%

Vitamin C

6

mg

7

%

Calcium

23

mg

2

%

Iron

1

mg

6

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Condiments, Sauce

Cuisine: American, Italian

Keyword: pizza sauce, red sauce for pizza

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $

Calories: 32

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

Our Best-Ever Homemade Condiments:

When it comes to sauces and condiments, homemade always wins. Here are our top sauces, dips, dressings, and condiments that you have to try!

  • Homemade Tartar Sauce – the perfect blend of flavors and super easy
  • Tzatziki Sauce – fresh, light and perfect for chicken and veggies
  • Marinara Sauce – takes just 20 minutes and the flavor is amazing
  • Horseradish Sauce – mouthwatering and excellent over beef
  • Italian Dressing – creamy but light and tangy

Natasha Kravchuk

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Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

Read more posts by Natasha

Homemade Pizza Sauce (5-Minute Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

What can I use if I don't have pizza sauce? ›

Some popular pizza sauce alternatives include the following:
  1. Pesto.
  2. Ricotta Cheese.
  3. Barbecue Sauce.
  4. Ranch Dressing.
  5. Tapenade.
  6. Olive Oil and Garlic.
  7. Sweet Chili Sauce.
  8. Chimichurri Sauce.

Can you use tomato ketchup as a pizza sauce? ›

Ketchup is best utilized as a substitute in recipes that already have some sweetness. In most cases, start with a ½:1 swap and add more American Garden's ketchup as needed to adjust the flavor. Do you crave pizza but don't have any pizza sauce? Don't worry, you can get great results using American Garden's ketchup.

Can you use regular tomato sauce for pizza? ›

Yes you can…even as it is, straight out of the can, although it might lack a bit of flavor for just a tomato sauce pizza. You can use it cold or cook it down a bit to make it thicker. Of course you can add some condiments (onion, garlic), salt and pepper and hebs and spices.

What is pizza sauce made of? ›

Mix together water, tomato paste, and olive oil in a large bowl or jar. Add garlic, oregano, basil, rosemary, salt, and pepper; mix well. Let sauce stand for several hours to let flavors blend. No cooking is necessary; just spread on dough.

What is a good replacement for tomato sauce on pizza? ›

Barbecue sauce-

Barbeque sauce is a great substitute for your pizza to your same old tomato sauce. It is sweet and tangy and delicious at the same time. It's rich smokiness, with a little hint of hot spice, is every food lover's dream.

Is it better to use tomato paste or tomato sauce for pizza? ›

I DO NOT recommend substituting tomato sauce for the tomato paste, because it has a higher water content. If you like a bit of heat, you could add some red pepper flakes. Just make sure to taste it and make it your own. Add more sweetness, a bit of spice, a bit of salt, whatever you think it needs!

What is the difference between tomato sauce and pizza sauce? ›

Pizza sauce tends to be somewhat simpler in terms of ingredients. While both feature tomatoes in one form or another, a pizza sauce's add-ins are often limited to things like garlic, oregano, basil, and olive oil. Those ingredients then blend together into the sauce that makes your pizza what it is.

Is it better to cook or uncooked tomato sauce for pizza? ›

Both cooked and raw tomatoes can be used on pizza, and it ultimately depends on personal preference and the type of pizza being made. Here are some factors to consider: Cooked Tomatoes: Cooking the tomatoes can help concentrate their flavor and create a more uniform texture on the pizza.

Can Ragu be used as pizza sauce? ›

Ragu Homemade Style Pizza Sauce is excellent! It's got the natural flavorings I like without the chunks and without added sugar. It's the best tasting pizza sauce I have ever had.

What is the best sauce to put on pizza? ›

Five Best Sauces to Dip your Favorite Pizza in
  • Mayonnaise. This is one of the most loved pizza dips that are sure to pamper each and every taste buds of the person tasting it. ...
  • Tomato Ketchup. Tomato ketchup is one of the most common sauces that are used to boost up the taste of a pie. ...
  • Barbecue Sauce. ...
  • Honey. ...
  • Garlic Paste.

How can I thicken my homemade pizza sauce? ›

You can do this in two ways - either by reducing it over low heat in a skillet, which is essentially slowly evaporating excess liquid from the sauce until your desired consistency is reached, or by heating in a skillet and incorporating a slurry of 1 tablespoon cornstarch to 2 tablespoons of water and stirring until ...

What gives pizza sauce its distinctive flavor? ›

Chopped parsley imparts a fresh, bright flavor to tomato-based sauces where it balances basil and oregano in a three-part harmony. The subtlety of marjoram sometimes gets lost behind the big flavors of basil and oregano, but in more delicate dishes, you'll definitely notice its almost flowery flavor.

What is the best cheese to use for homemade pizza? ›

The most commonly used cheese on pizza is mozzarella, because it melts beautifully without turning oily or lumpy. Cheeses such as feta, haloumi and aged gouda are tasty toppings, but they're a bit fancy for families and don't melt as well as mozzarella. Low-moisture mozzarella in particular has great melt and stretch.

Is pizza sauce necessary? ›

Pizza means flatbread. This means that a pizza can really be called pizza if it has no cheese. That's the case of pizza alla marinara, with crushed tomatoes, garlic, oregano, and a drizzle of extravirgin olive oil. A real pizza can be without any tomato sauce, like this pizza ortolana, with a fresh vegetables medley.

Can salsa be used as pizza sauce? ›

I use all sorts of sauces for my base layer. If your salsa is watery I would drain it through a sieve first, put down a layer of cheese first then top it with the salsa. It will prevent the crust from getting soggy. You might also want to try artichoke and spinach dip as a base with lots of parmigiano cheese on top!

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