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.
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.
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!
- Pulse together all of the ingredients until blended and well-combined.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or up to 7 days before using. It’s best the next day.
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.
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)
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
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
% Daily Value*
* 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: $
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
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
FAQs
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.
How to Make Pizza Sauce with Pasta Sauce
- Strain the pasta sauce to remove excess liquid.
- Add the pasta sauce to a food processor or blender and pulse until smooth.
- Add your desired seasoning and salt to taste.
- Pulse a few more times until thoroughly combined.
- Strain out any additional liquid.
Ketchup is best utilized as a substitute in recipes that already have some sweetness. In most cases, start with a ½:1 swap and add more American Garden's ketchup as needed to adjust the flavor. Do you crave pizza but don't have any pizza sauce? Don't worry, you can get great results using American Garden's ketchup.
What are 5 sauce options for pizza? ›
Beyond Tomato: Different Types of Pizza Sauces to Try
- Pesto Sauce. Pesto sauce differs from tomato sauce on your pizza, adding a delicious herby and nutty taste. ...
- Alfredo or White Sauce. ...
- Garlic and Oil Sauce. ...
- Romesco Sauce. ...
- Buffalo Sauce. ...
- Barbecue Sauce. ...
- Spicy Red Sauce.
Yes you can…even as it is, straight out of the can, although it might lack a bit of flavor for just a tomato sauce pizza. You can use it cold or cook it down a bit to make it thicker. Of course you can add some condiments (onion, garlic), salt and pepper and hebs and spices.
Should I drain canned tomatoes for pizza sauce? ›
If you'd like a thicker sauce, strain the tomatoes from their juices before blending. This isn't just for convenience — a no-cook sauce will actually taste better on your pizza, giving you that fresh, zippy tomato flavor, even after it has been baked in a hot oven.
Does spaghetti sauce make good pizza sauce? ›
The appeal of using pasta sauce as a pizza sauce lies in the fact that pasta sauce is usually more thicker and richer than pizza sauce. Not only does it provide an interesting flavor, but it also adds a unique texture and complexity that you won't get from a traditional pizza sauce.
Can you use Prego sauce as pizza sauce? ›
Each quarter cup serving provides 20 percent of your daily vegetables, giving you a sauce that's as nutritious as it is tasty. Just spread Prego sauce over your favorite pizza crust and add toppings for a quick, family-pleasing meal.
What can you use for pizza sauce other than tomato sauce? ›
White sauce is actually quite common and can act as a mild alternative that helps mellow toppings to shine. Pre-made béchamel or alfredo sauce can be used, or you can start from scratch and make your own creamy white pizza sauce recipe.
Do you use canned or fresh tomatoes for pizza sauce? ›
San Marzano Whole
Once they've ripened, they're picked by hand, steam-peeled, and canned. Using canned San Marzano tomatoes won't lower the quality of your pizza sauce—just make sure you buy from a reliable brand.
In addition, other countries around the world have adopted this practice over time — Canada and Mexico are both known for their variations of ketchup-drenched pizzas.
What sauce is closest to pizza sauce? ›
Tomato sauce and BBQ sauce are just versions of pizza sauce. One alternative, used frequently in Italy, is pesto. Although usually an olive oil/basil/garlic/nut combination, it can also made with fresh oregano and Parmesan. Another option is seafood, particularly clams and sardines.
What is the best cheese to use for homemade pizza? ›
The most commonly used cheese on pizza is mozzarella, because it melts beautifully without turning oily or lumpy. Cheeses such as feta, haloumi and aged gouda are tasty toppings, but they're a bit fancy for families and don't melt as well as mozzarella. Low-moisture mozzarella in particular has great melt and stretch.
How do you make pizza sauce taste better? ›
- Use ripe, juicy tomatoes for a fresh, bright flavor.
- Add herbs such as basil, oregano, and garlic for depth of flavor.
- Balance sweetness and acidity with a pinch of sugar and a splash of red wine vinegar.
- Simmer the sauce to allow the flavors to meld and thicken.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Pizza ia a kind of flatbread with some toppings, eaten warm, straight from the oven. It is a crust, not the toppings, that defines a pizza. Beside one do not put any sauce on pizza, but usually only a thin layer of raw tomato passata.
Is pizza without sauce still good? ›
This serves as a great base for toppings like the infamous pineapple. So the answer to the question, can you make pizza without tomato sauce is a simple yes. There are amazing alternatives available for you to get creative with. Enjoy different sauces and toppings as pizza is a versatile delicacy.
Does pizza taste good without sauce? ›
Oh, yes. A good white pizza ie: pizza with crust, olive oil & mozzarella (and usually garlic) is delicious. I've always liked them best with black olives & onion, as well.
