Homemade Pizza Sauce
Posted: 05/15/2013
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Homemade pizza sauce is so easy and tastes so much better than store bought. This recipe has a secret healthy ingredient that’s totally optional.
On Friday I asked E what she wanted for dinner. Why I’m asking a two-year-old what she wants for dinner is beyond me. Ben had a late night at work, so I guess I didn’t really care. Well, sweet little E said “pizza!”
Shocking request.
I opened the pantry only to discover that we had no pizza sauce. Well, helllllo–I can make my own, right? It’s really not difficult at all.
This pizza sauce is easy and turns out perfect every time. I’ve tweaked and tasted it until it’s just right. I don’t know why I don’t always make my own pizza sauce.
I add a completely weird secret ingredient. Chia seeds. Yes, you probably think I have fallen off of my rocker. No, you do not have to put them in if you don’t want to. They are not integral to the success of this recipe, but I like to throw in a little extra nutrition. Why not?
This sauce is beyond easy. I bet you have everything you need to make homemade pizza sauce in your pantry right now: onions, garlic, canned tomatoes, dried basil, olive oil, and seasonings. Throw all the ingredients in a blender, pour the sauce in a pan, and simmer for 30 minutes .
And don’t wear white while you’re stirring. And definitely don’t cook in your birthday suit.
Ouch. (Not that I would do that or anything.)
This recipe makes about enough sauce for two pizzas, depending on the size of the pizzas and how much sauce you like. You can easily freeze half of it for use at another time. Enjoy!
Have extra pizza sauce?
This homemade pizza sauce can be used in so many ways besides pizza. Here’s a few ideas for you:
- Pizza sliders (baked in the oven)
- Pizza pasta (one pan, 6 ingredients)
- Pizza baked chicken
- Pepperoni pizza quinoa stuffed peppers
- Pizza stuffed spaghetti squash
- Pizza turkey burgers
- Pepperoni pizza tortilla pinwheels (use homemade pizza sauce to dip them in)
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
servings
This pizza sauce recipe is easy to make and tastes fresher than store bought. Homemade pizza sauce is much lower in sodium than most store brands, too.
Ingredients
- ½ medium yellow onion, cut into large chunks
- 1 clove garlic, roughly chopped
- 1 can (28 ounce) no salt added tomatoes (diced or whole)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
Instructions
- Blend all ingredients in blender until combined and fairly smooth. Sauce should not be completely smooth but with no large chunks remaining.
- Pour sauce into a large heavy saucepan or a deep skillet. Over medium low heat, simmer sauce, partially covered and stirring occasionally, for about 30 minutes, or until reduced and thickened.
Notes
- Makes about 2 cups, plenty for two large pizzas.
- The sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- If you like, substitute fresh tomatoes. Choose a meatier tomato like Roma or plum. Peel the tomatoes by plunging them briefly in boiling water. The skins will crack and you'll be able to slip them right off. Proceed with the recipe as directed.
- The seasonings in this recipe can be adjusted any way you like. If you like sweeter sauce, add more brown sugar; if you don't care for sweet sauce, omit the brown sugar. Use fresh herbs instead of dried (use three times as much fresh as dried). Add more salt or cracked black pepper. Add more or less red pepper flakes.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 0.25cup, Calories: 52kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Sodium: 184mg, Potassium: 161mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 149IU, Vitamin C: 6mg, Calcium: 32mg, Iron: 1mg
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
Husband’s take: He dubbed this my best pizza ever. Not even kidding you! Cooking from scratch pays off. E devoured it too, but that is no surprise.
Changes I would make: None!
Difficulty: Easy!
dixya| Food, Pleasure, and Health says
pizza sauce with extra nutrition – yes please!
Ashley Bee (Quarter Life Crisis Cuisine) says
I love making sauce from scratch. It’s just so much more satisfying that way.
Amanda says
Totally going to try this! Buying the good organic stuff isnt cheap… and this sounds so good! :)
Rachel Gurk says
Thanks Amanda! Hope you like it!