Homemade Pizza Sauce

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If you’ve ever craved restaurant-style pizza at home, the secret isn’t just in the crust—it’s in the sauce. This Homemade Pizza Sauce is rich, thick, and deeply flavorful with layers of tomato, garlic, herbs, and just the right amount of sweetness to balance the acidity. It clings beautifully to your dough, transforming your pizza from basic to gourmet in minutes.

Made with pantry staples and no preservatives, this sauce outshines any store-bought version. Whether you’re crafting a classic margherita or loading up with toppings, this homemade version ensures every bite is saucy, zesty, and completely satisfying. Plus, it’s freezer-friendly—so you can always have some ready for spontaneous pizza nights.

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What Kind of Tomatoes Should I Use for Pizza Sauce?

Crushed San Marzano tomatoes are ideal because of their naturally sweet and less acidic profile, but any high-quality canned tomatoes will do. Whole peeled tomatoes can also be used and crushed by hand or in a food processor. If fresh tomatoes are in season, roasting them first enhances the flavor beautifully.

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Ingredients for the Homemade Pizza Sauce

• Olive Oil – Adds richness and depth, forming the base for sautéing garlic and herbs.
• Garlic – Freshly minced garlic gives a bold aromatic base that’s essential for any pizza sauce.
• Tomato Paste – Intensifies the tomato flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
• Crushed Tomatoes – The star ingredient, bringing juicy body and texture.
• Sugar – Balances the acidity of the tomatoes without making the sauce sweet.
• Dried Oregano & Basil – Classic Italian herbs that give the sauce its signature flavor.
• Salt & Black Pepper – Essential for seasoning and bringing all the flavors together.
• Red Pepper Flakes – Optional, but adds a subtle heat for extra flavor complexity.

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How To Make the Homemade Pizza Sauce

Step 1: Sauté the Garlic and Herbs

In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in dried oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes (if using) to bloom the herbs and release their flavors.

Step 2: Add Tomato Paste

Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2-3 minutes. This caramelizes the paste slightly and builds a deep, rich tomato base for the sauce.

Step 3: Add Crushed Tomatoes

Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir well to combine with the paste and seasonings. Let everything come together for a couple of minutes.

Step 4: Season and Simmer

Add sugar, salt, and black pepper. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your desired consistency.

Step 5: Blend (Optional)

For an ultra-smooth finish, use an immersion blender or let the sauce cool slightly and blend in a standard blender. This step is optional if you prefer a chunkier texture.

Step 6: Cool and Store

Once thickened and flavorful, remove from heat. Let the sauce cool, then use immediately or store in an airtight container. It keeps in the fridge for up to a week or freezes beautifully for up to 3 months.

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How to Serve and Store Homemade Pizza Sauce

This sauce is a game-changer for homemade pizza, but its use doesn’t stop there. Spread it on flatbreads, use it as a dip for mozzarella sticks, or spoon it into calzones. For pizza night, layer it generously over your favorite crust before adding cheese and toppings.

To store, let the sauce cool completely and transfer it to an airtight container. It stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. For longer storage, freeze it in portions using freezer-safe containers or silicone ice cube trays. It will keep well for up to 3 months—just thaw and reheat when needed.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What makes this pizza sauce better than store-bought?

The rich tomato flavor, real garlic, and balanced seasoning make it more vibrant and customizable than most pre-made sauces.

Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?

Absolutely! Blanch, peel, and crush fresh tomatoes, then simmer a bit longer to achieve the same thick texture and flavor depth.

Is this sauce spicy?

Only mildly so. The red pepper flakes add a gentle kick, but you can omit them entirely if preferred.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes! This sauce scales wonderfully. Double or even triple it, and freeze extra portions for quick weeknight meals.

Do I need to cook the sauce again on the pizza?

Nope! It’s fully cooked. Once spread on your dough, it’ll bake along with your pizza toppings perfectly.

Can I use this for pasta?

Definitely. It makes a great quick marinara or dipping sauce for garlic bread too.

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Want More Savory Sauce & Dinner Ideas?

If you love this rich and flavorful homemade pizza sauce, check out these other delicious recipes from my kitchen:

• Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Ricotta Alfredo Pasta for a comforting pasta night.
• Deep Hamburger Sausage Pepperoni Pie when you’re craving a loaded, meaty bake.
• One-Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta Dinner that’s weeknight-easy but full of flavor.
• Garlic Parmesan Beef Spaghetti Pasta for a twist on classic spaghetti.
• Classic Homemade Bolognese Sauce when you want something hearty and slow-simmered.

Save This Pin + Share Your Results

📌 Save this sauce recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can find it whenever pizza night calls!

And I’d love to hear how it turned out for you. Did you go chunky or smooth? Add your own twist with roasted garlic or fresh basil?

Share your results in the comments below. And if you’re hungry for more homemade magic, follow me over on Pinterest where I share my daily recipes: Life with Nina on Pinterest

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