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 187 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

%

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:
  • Pesto.
  • Ricotta Cheese.
  • Barbecue Sauce.
  • Ranch Dressing.
  • Tapenade.
  • Olive Oil and Garlic.
  • Sweet Chili Sauce.
  • Chimichurri Sauce.

What are 5 sauce options for pizza? ›

A Quick Guide to Different Types of Pizza Sauces
  • Marinara Sauce. Marinara is one of the more versatile pizza sauces that you have to choose from. ...
  • Spicy Red Sauce. ...
  • BBQ Sauce. ...
  • Buffalo Sauce. ...
  • Alfredo Sauce. ...
  • Pesto Sauce. ...
  • Chocolate Sauce. ...
  • Become a Wood-fired Pizza Expert Overnight.

What goes first on homemade pizza sauce or cheese? ›

You've got your dough as the foundation. Then your sauce. The cheese is the next solid layer. Then your toppings (after all, they're called top-pings and not bottom-ings), and then finally your garnishes like basil, pepper, fresh mozzarella, etc, after the pizza is cooked.

What spice gives pizza its signature flavor? ›

I like a bit of anise in my pizza sauce, but the distinctive spice that gives pizza its traditional flavor is oregano.

What makes a pizza taste best? ›

Meat, Tomatoes, and Pizza: Glutamate-Rich Pizza Ingredients

In general, more glutamate means more flavor in food. Since pizza is topped with meat, tomatoes, and aged cheese that are rich in glutamate, you are assured that each and every bite you take in your pizza slice is appetizing and flavorful!

What sauce is closest to pizza sauce? ›

5 Pizza Sauce Alternatives
  • Other tomato-based sauces. Traditional pizza sauce is made using canned tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, onion, and herbs like basil and oregano but there are so many other tomato sauce options that offer different flavour profiles. ...
  • Pesto. ...
  • Alfredo. ...
  • Tapenade. ...
  • Extra-Virgin Olive Oil.

Can I use ketchup as my pizza sauce? ›

Hence, many people want to know, "can you use ketchup on pizza?" The answer - yes. And we're going to help you find out how to do so perfectly, without making your pizza soggy or bad. Hence, without any further ado, let's see how you can use ketchup on pizza and other substitutes for pizza sauce.

What kind of cheese is best for homemade pizza? ›

Best cheese for pizza
  • Mozzarella. Perhaps the most well-known and popular pizza topping of all-time, Mozzarella is cherished for its near perfect consistency and straightforward flavour. ...
  • Cheddar/Matured Cheddar. ...
  • Aged Havarti. ...
  • Gorgonzola. ...
  • Provolone. ...
  • Goat cheese. ...
  • Pecorino-Romano. ...
  • The ultimate cheese pizza.

What gives pizza sauce its distinctive flavor? ›

Ground Dried Oregano: Dried oregano contributes a classic Italian herb flavor to your pizza sauce. It's a vital seasoning component that gives the DIY sauce its distinct pizza taste.

What temperature do you cook pizza at? ›

Generally, the hotter the oven, the better the pizza will be. The best oven temperature for pizza is between 450 and 500 degrees F (250 to 260 degrees C). Pizza ovens cook at temperatures between 800 and 900 degrees F. You can't get that hot in your home oven, but the higher you can go, the better.

Should I make pizza sauce the day before? ›

it's always a good idea to make it a day ahead of time. Allowing the sauce to sit overnight helps the flavours meld together. Creating a more robust and delicious taste. Plus, the fresh basil will have more time to infuse into the tomato.

Should you cook pizza dough before adding sauce and toppings? ›

If you're baking the pizza in the oven, whether on a pizza stone or not, I always pre-bake the dough for 4-5 minutes before adding toppings, to make sure the pizza dough cooks crisp on the outside and soft and airy in the middle. Once you add the Pizza Sauce and toppings, return it to the oven to finish baking.

What is the key ingredient for pizza? ›

The most common ingredient in pizza dishes is olive oil. Flour, yeast, mozzarella cheese, white sugar, tomatoes and onion are also common ingredients in pizza recipes. Variations include: brown sugar in place of white sugar.

What is the number one ingredient on pizza? ›

1. Pepperoni. It's no surprise that America's favorite pizza topping is pepperoni. The snack gets an extra boost of flavor from this cured and spicy sausage.

What is the secret to a good pizza crust? ›

The secret to great dough isn't kneading or throwing . . .

“Pizza dough made at home should be 50 percent water. Pizza needs to cook longer in a home oven, which means the dough needs to be more hydrated.” But don't let it to get soggy . . .“It's important to spread the dough very well and very evenly,” explains Falco.

What is the secret to Italian pizza? ›

Authentic Italian pizzas are based with nonna's special fresh tomato sauce (which doesn't get cooked at all!). This rich sauce must be prepared with peeled Italian tomatoes, preferably with San Marzano peeled tomatoes, and then blanched with salt, fresh basil and extra virgin olive oil to get an original taste.

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