There’s something magical about homemade pizza—the crust, the cheese, and, of course, the sauce.
While store-bought pizza sauce works in a pinch, nothing beats the flavor of a freshly made sauce tailored to your taste buds.
Whether you’ve got a garden full of fresh tomatoes or a pantry stocked with tomato paste, I’ll show you how to whip up the perfect pizza sauce for your next homemade pizza.
Let’s get cooking!
Table of Contents
Pizza Sauce from Fresh Tomatoes
Fresh tomatoes bring vibrant flavor to your pizza sauce, making it taste like summer in every bite. If you’ve got ripe tomatoes, this is your time to shine!
Ingredients:
- 6–8 medium-sized ripe tomatoes (Roma or San Marzano are best)
- 2–3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Prepare the Tomatoes:
- Bring a pot of water to a boil.
- Score an “X” on the bottom of each tomato with a knife.
- Drop the tomatoes into the boiling water for 30–60 seconds until the skins start to peel.
- Transfer the tomatoes to an ice bath, then peel off the skins.
- Chop and Cook:
- Dice the peeled tomatoes.
- Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- Simmer the Sauce:
- Add the diced tomatoes to the saucepan. Stir in oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. If the tomatoes are too acidic, add a teaspoon of sugar.
- Simmer on low heat for 20–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.
- Blend (Optional):
- For a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender or transfer the sauce to a blender. If you prefer it chunky, skip this step.
- Cool and Use:
- Let the sauce cool slightly before spreading it on your pizza dough.
Pro Tip: Freeze any leftover sauce in small portions for future pizza nights!
Pizza Sauce from Tomato Paste
When you’re short on time but still crave a delicious pizza sauce, tomato paste is your best friend. It’s concentrated, flavorful, and super easy to work with.
Ingredients:
- 1 small can (6 oz) of tomato paste
- ¾ cup water
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp garlic powder or 1 fresh garlic clove, minced
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp sugar (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Combine Ingredients:
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the tomato paste and water until smooth.
- Add Seasonings:
- Stir in olive oil, oregano, basil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasonings to taste.
- Heat the Sauce (Optional):
- While this sauce can be used as-is, warming it on the stove for a few minutes helps meld the flavors together.
- Spread on Pizza Dough:
- Once cooled, spread a thin layer over your pizza dough.
Pro Tip: This sauce also doubles as a great dipping sauce for breadsticks or garlic knots!
Final Thoughts
Homemade pizza sauce is a game-changer, whether you go for the rich flavor of fresh tomatoes or the convenience of tomato paste. Both recipes are versatile, allowing you to tweak the seasonings to suit your taste. Pair your sauce with your favorite toppings, bake until bubbly, and enjoy a slice of pizza heaven.
Ready to elevate your pizza nights? Grab your ingredients and start saucing!
