Pizza Sauce | Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce in 15 Mins

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This Pizza Sauce recipe is easy to make and is a delicious alternative to store-bought pizza sauce. Using fresh ingredients and some basic steps, you will be able to make an awesome homemade pizza sauce for your next pizza night. And if you are looking to make a dairy-free pizza, this recipe is perfect, as it is vegan!

pizza sauce in two small glass jar placed on a dark gray slate board with fresh two tomatoes by the side

Why this Pizza Sauce Recipe Works

This pizza sauce recipe is made from simple, fresh ingredients. Using fresh ingredients improves the sauce’s taste and flavor, making it easily beat any store-bought sauce hands down.

You can easily adjust the chunkiness or smoothness in the sauce according to your taste.

For a chunkier version, I stop pureeing the tomatoes sooner, when there are still some bits of tomato left. For a smooth version, I chop the tomatoes finely first and then puree them very well.

Since the method and recipe is easy, you can also feel free to adjust the quantity of herbs as per your choice.

This pizza sauce recipe works well for 8 medium-sized pizzas. If you are making more pizzas, the sauce recipe can easily be doubled.

If you do not use all of the sauce right away, simply store it in a bowl or a jar in the refrigerator and use within the next 10 to 15 days.

pizza sauce spread on a rolled pizza dough

Ingredients you need

  • Tomatoes: Freshly crushed or pureed. When choosing which tomato to use, most varieties will work. Just be sure they are fresh, red, and ripe. Roma tomatoes is a typical variety used for pizza sauce and work well. Indian tomatoes also work well for this recipe.
  • Fresh Garlic: In absence of fresh garlic, sub with ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
  • Fresh Basil: One of the key herbs and I recommend not to skip them. Though fresh basil offers a more potent flavor – if you do not have fresh basil, include 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried basil.
  • Dry Oregano: Packaged or bottled dried oregano is easily available in grocery stores. You can also add fresh oregano in place of the dried ones.
  • Olive oil: Use a good quality olive oil.
  • Seasonings: Salt and Black Pepper (freshly cracked or ground) are the preferred seasonings.

More Ways to use Pizza Sauce

In addition to pizza, the sauce also works well with pasta. Just toss some cooked pasta, along with some steamed or sautéed veggies, in the sauce. Then top with some cheese and bake or grill the pasta till until the cheese melts.

Make pizza toasts, pizza loaves, calzone, pizza puffs and grilled sandwiches with this pizza sauce recipe.

pizza sauce in two small glass jar placed on a dark gray slate board with fresh two tomatoes by the side
Step-by-Step Guide

How to make Pizza Sauce

Preparation

1. Rinse and chop 5 to 6 medium to large tomatoes (500 grams). Take the chopped tomatoes in a blender jar.

chopped tomatoes in a blender jar

2. Crush tomatoes. Pulse or blend in intervals for some seconds. You can make a smooth purée if you want. You do not need to blanch tomatoes before crushing.

tomatoes crushed in the blender

3. The photo below shows the consistency of the crushed tomatoes. If using canned tomatoes, then add 2 cups canned crushed tomatoes or about one 15 ounce can of crushed tomatoes.

consistency of crushed tomatoes shown with a spoon

Making pizza sauce

4. Heat ¼ cup olive oil in a pan. Add 2 teaspoons minced garlic.

garlic added to olive oil in a steel pan

5. Sauté garlic for 5 to 6 seconds on a low heat. You do not need to brown the garlic.

garlic being sautéed

6. Add the crushed tomatoes.

crushed tomatoes added

7. Mix well.

tomatoes mixed

8. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes on low or medium-low heat.

crushed tomatoes being cooked

9. Season with salt as per taste and mix very well.

salt being added

10. Cover the pan with lid and simmer for 25 minutes on low heat.

pan covered with lid

11. Do check and stir at intervals. If the sauce looks very thick and is sticking to the bottom of the pan, add ¼ cup water and mix well. Cover and continue to cook.

checking the pizza sauce while it is simmering

12. Simmer till the sauce has thickened and the tomatoes have softened completely. When tomatoes are cooked you will some oil specks on top or on the sides. But cook till the sauce thickens.

pizza sauce thickened and tomatoes have softened

13. When the sauce has thickened, add ¼ cup chopped fresh basil.

fresh basil added to pizza sauce

14. Add 2 teaspoons dried oregano.

dried oregano added to pizza sauce

15. Season with ½ teaspoon crushed black pepper powder or as required.

black pepper being crushed with a hand-mill on top of the pizza sauce

16. Mix very well and cook for a minute.

herbs and seasonings have been mixed very well

17. Let the sauce cool at room temperature.

pizza sauce being cooled

18. When the sauce has cooled, you can use it right away as a pizza topping. Or else store the sauce in a clean or sterilized small to medium jar in the refrigerator or in the freezer.

To freeze add sauce to ice cubes tray. Let the cubes freeze. Then place the frozen cubes in a freezer-safe container.

If you plan to store the sauce for a longer time, then you can add 1 tablespoon red wine or ½ tablespoon apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar.

pizza sauce placed in a small glas jar

19. The pizza sauce keeps good for about 10 to 15 days in the refrigerator and a couple of months in the freezer.

pizza sauce in two small glass jar placed on a dark gray slate board with fresh two tomatoes by the side
Tips

Pizza Sauce – Tips & FAQs

Can I use canned whole peeled tomatoes?

Yes, add one 14 to 15 ounce can of san marzano tomatoes or whole peeled tomatoes. You can crush or puree the canned tomatoes in a blender or use them whole and mash while cooking.

Can I use canned tomato sauce?

Yes, you can use canned tomato sauce. Use could use two 8 ounces can of tomato sauce. But then you do not need to simmer the sauce. Just mix ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, 1 to 2 tablespoons dried basil, ½ teaspoon oregano, salt and pepper and your sauce will be ready in 5 minutes.

Can I use tinned tomato puree?

Yes, you can use packaged or tinned tomato puree. Add about 2 cups of tomato puree. If using tomato puree, you will need to add some water as canned tomato puree is thick. Follow the recipe and simmer after adding tinned tomato puree for about 5 to 6 minutes.

Can I add tomato paste?

Yes you can add about ¼ cup tomato paste.

Can I freeze the pizza sauce?

Yes, you can freeze. I sometimes make a big batch of this pizza sauce recipe and freeze it. Add sauce in ice cubes tray. Let the cubes freeze. Then place the frozen cubes in a freezer safe container. Having a homemade pizza sauce in your freezer, makes it very easy to make homemade pizzas for the entire family.

Can I use tomato ketchup in place of crushed tomatoes?

No, tomato ketchup won’t work in this recipe.

Can I scale the recipe?

Yes, you can easily scale the recipe and make a large batch of the homemade sauce.

What can I use instead of fresh basil?

You can use 1 to 2 tablespoons dried basil in this pizza sauce recipe. If you even do not have dried basil then use Italian seasoning. You can add 1 to 2 tablespoons of Italian seasoning.

What can I use instead of olive oil?

Replace olive oil with a neutral tasting oil like sunflower oil or safflower oil.

Can I add red chilli flakes?

Yes, you can add crushed red chilli flakes.

Can I use Thai basil instead of basil?

Yes, you can do that.

Can I add Italian seasoning?

Yes, you can add 1 to 2 tablespoons of Italian seasoning, but then omit adding the fresh basil and oregano.

How do I make a spicy pizza sauce recipe?

Add about 1 teaspoon of red chilli flakes or 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper or red chilli powder. Alternatively you can also add 2 to 3 tablespoons of spicy sriracha sauce.

Can I use this pizza sauce recipe to make pasta?

Yes, you can.

Are basil and tulsi (holy basil) the same?

No, they are not the same. Though they come from the same family of plant kingdom, but both are different.

What is the Indian name for oregano?

Oregano is called as sathra or ban tulsi in Hindi language.

More Homemade Sauce Recipes

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pizza sauce in a small glass jar

Pizza Sauce | Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce in 15 Minutes

This Pizza Sauce Recipe is a quick and easy recipe made using fresh ingredients. Make the best homemade pizza sauce for your next pizza night.
4.76 from 29 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Cuisine Italian, World
Course Condiment
Diet Gluten Free, Vegan
Difficulty Level Easy
Servings 8
Units

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic or 8 to 10 small to medium-sized garlic or 5 grams
  • 2 cups crushed tomatoes or 5 to 6 medium to large tomatoes or 500 grams
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh basil or 1 to 2 tablespoons dried basil
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano or 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
  • salt as required
  • ½ teaspoon crushed black pepper or add as required

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Rinse and then chop the tomatoes.
  • Crush the tomatoes in a blender.
  • You can even make a smooth puree of the tomatoes.

Making pizza sauce

  • Heat olive oil in a pan.
  • Then add the minced garlic and sauté for 4 to 5 seconds on a low heat.
  • Add the crushed tomatoes and sauté for 4 to 5 mins on a low to medium-low heat.
  • Add the chopped basil, dried oregano, salt and pepper.
  • Cover and cook for 25 minutes on low heat till the sauce has thickened and the tomatoes are cooked.
  • When tomatoes are cooked you will some oil specks on top or on the sides. But cook till the sauce thickens. 
  • Check the seasonings add more salt or pepper if required.
  • Remove from pan and let sauce cool.
  • When the sauce has cooled, you can use it right away as a pizza topping.
  • Otherwise, store the pizza sauce covered or sealed in a bowl or a small to medium jar in the refrigerator. You can even freeze the sauce for a couple of months.

Video

Nutrition Info (Approximate Values)

Nutrition Facts
Pizza Sauce | Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce in 15 Minutes
Amount Per Serving
Calories 83 Calories from Fat 63
% Daily Value*
Fat 7g11%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Sodium 226mg10%
Potassium 189mg5%
Carbohydrates 5g2%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 178IU4%
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) 1mg67%
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 1mg59%
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 1mg5%
Vitamin B6 1mg50%
Vitamin C 6mg7%
Vitamin E 2mg13%
Vitamin K 14µg13%
Calcium 32mg3%
Vitamin B9 (Folate) 10µg3%
Iron 1mg6%
Magnesium 13mg3%
Phosphorus 21mg2%
Zinc 1mg7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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This recipe post from the archives (December 2013) has been republished and updated on 25 September 2020.

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Welcome to Dassana's Veg Recipes. I share vegetarian recipes from India & around the World. Having been cooking for decades and with a professional background in cooking & baking, I help you to make your cooking journey easier with my tried and tested recipes showcased with step by step photos & plenty of tips & suggestions.

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73 Comments

  1. Thank you for sharing and appreciate your effort to explain in detail. I tried this recipe. Came out perfectly5 stars

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