Description
This easy homemade pizza sauce recipe is a quick and flavorful base for your homemade pizzas. Made with simple pantry staples like tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, garlic, and fresh herbs, it comes together in just 15 minutes and delivers a rich, balanced tomato flavor perfect for any pizza crust.
Ingredients
Scale
Pizza Sauce Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (peeled and minced)
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 (15 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil (or 1 teaspoon dried basil)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: granulated sugar to taste
Instructions
- Heat Olive Oil: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat, preparing the base for sautéing the garlic.
- Sauté Garlic and Tomato Paste: Add the minced garlic to the hot oil and sauté for a few seconds until fragrant. Stir in the tomato paste and cook together for 1 minute, stirring frequently to develop a deep tomato flavor.
- Add Tomatoes and Herbs: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, then add chopped fresh basil (or dried basil) and dried oregano. Season with salt and black pepper according to your taste preference. If a sweeter sauce is desired, add granulated sugar one tablespoon at a time, tasting as you go.
- Simmer the Sauce: Cover the pot and let the sauce simmer gently on medium-low heat for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Use or Store: The sauce is now ready to use immediately on pizza dough or can be refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months for future use.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of sugar based on the acidity of your canned tomatoes for a balanced flavor.
- This sauce can be doubled or halved easily depending on your needs.
- For a smoother sauce, blend after cooking, if desired.
- Fresh herbs add brightness, but dried herbs work well if fresh aren’t available.
- Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer.
