This homemade pizza sauce recipe takes just 10 minutes to create authentic Italian flavors that will elevate your pizzas to restaurant quality. With simple pantry ingredients, you’ll craft a rich, perfectly seasoned sauce that puts store-bought versions to shame.
Whether you’re planning a family pizza night or meal prepping for the week, this quick sauce delivers incredible taste while keeping things wholesome with only 156 calories per serving.
Ingredients for Perfect Pizza Sauce
- Crushed Tomatoes: 28 oz can, San Marzano variety recommended for best flavor
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: 1½ tablespoons, helps create a smooth texture
- Italian Seasoning: 1 teaspoon, adds authentic Italian flavor
- Sugar: 1 teaspoon, balances the tomato acidity
- Fresh Garlic: 1 clove minced, provides aromatic base
- Dried Oregano: ½ teaspoon, essential pizza herb
- Dried Basil: ½ teaspoon, adds classic Italian taste
- Dried Thyme: ¼ teaspoon, enhances overall flavor
- Sea Salt: ½ teaspoon, brings out all flavors
- Black Pepper: To taste, freshly ground preferred
Quick & Easy Instructions
- Heat Base: Warm olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat until shimmering
- Combine: Add all remaining ingredients and stir thoroughly to mix
- Simmer: Let the sauce bubble gently for 5-30 minutes, stirring occasionally
- Ready to Use: Your sauce is now perfect for spreading on pizza crust
Variations & Substitutions
Love making this sauce your own way? You can swap the fresh garlic for 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder in a pinch.
If you prefer a sauce without sugar, try adding grated carrot or a tiny bit of sweet red pepper – they add natural sweetness! Don’t have San Marzano tomatoes? Regular crushed tomatoes work just fine, though San Marzanos give that amazing rich flavor Italian pizzerias are famous for. For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes!
Storage Tips
Made too much sauce? Lucky you! This pizza sauce keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze it in small portions – try using ice cube trays or small freezer bags – for up to 3 months.
Just thaw overnight in the fridge when pizza night calls! Let the sauce come to room temperature before spreading it on your pizza dough for the best results.
Serving Suggestions
While this sauce is perfect for pizza, it’s super versatile! Try it as a dipping sauce for breadsticks or calzones. It makes an amazing base for a quick pasta dish – just heat it up and toss with your favorite noodles.
You can also spread it on toasted bread for a quick bruschetta base. When using it for pizza, remember that a little goes a long way – about 1/3 cup is perfect for a 12-inch pizza. Too much sauce can make your crust soggy!
Pizza Sauce
Equipment
- Saucepan
Ingredients
Pizza Sauce Ingredients
- 28 ounce crushed tomatoes preferably San Marzano tomatoes
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon Sea salt
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add oil to a saucepan over medium heat.
- Add remaining ingredients and stir well to combine.
- Simmer for at least 5-10 minutes, or up to 30.
- Your homemade pizza sauce is ready to use and spread on pizza crust.
