This Pizza Sauce uses pantry staples to produce a rich, thick and outrageously flavoursome base to any homemade pizza!
Simply the BEST Pizza Sauce!
Because really, has anyone ever got store bought pizza sauce and not questioned if they’ll make it through the pizza or not? 😳I know, I’m such a food snob aren’t I 🤣BUT – I will say this with confidence, homemade pizza sauce is an absolute game changer. Here’s why you’re going to LOVE this recipe:
- Pantry Essentials – No fresh herbs or special ingredients here, not needed!
- Flavour – This pizza sauce has a deep, rich flavour that is to DIE for.
- Texture – It has a natural chunky, thick and rustic texture which you’ll want to literally eat by the spoon (100% from experience).
When it comes to the ingredients, they’re the usual suspects in my fridge/cupboards, so hopefully they are for you too. The list is fairly short, so try and get some good quality ingredients (namely the tomatoes as they’re the star of the show).
Pizza Sauce Ingredients
- Plum Tomatoes – Canned skinned plum tomatoes, just dice them roughly in the can. Plum tomatoes are slightly richer in flavour and sweeter than chopped tomatoes.
- Onion & Garlic – Both grated so they melt into the sauce.
- Olive Oil – Adds flavour and a nice glossy texture to the sauce.
- Tomato Puree – Tomato Paste in the US, deepens the tomato flavour and adds a touch more colour.
- Basil & Oregano – Pizza essentials, both dried, no need for fresh.
- Sugar – Balance out the acidity from the tomatoes
- Chilli Flakes – Optional, but does add a nice gentle background heat.
How to make Pizza Sauce from scratch
Making pizza sauce is actually incredibly simple. All you need is the ingredients above, a medium sized pot with a lid, a wooden spoon and a grater for the onion/garlic.
Tips for the Best Pizza Sauce
- Tomato Puree – It’s important to FRY the tomato puree (paste). This will caramelize/sweeten it and take the ‘bite’ out. Just a couple of minutes makes a huge difference.
- Low Heat – It’s important to have the heat low in the first instance (so the grated onion/garlic doesn’t burn) and in the last instance (to slowly marry the flavours together before the sauce has fully reduced).
- Simmer – Some recipes suggest hours (literally) and others don’t even suggest cooking the sauce. I prefer somewhere in between – I find simmering on low for around 30-40mins develops the flavours enough and reduces down nicely.
What consistency should pizza sauce be?
Totally down to preference, but I recommend something that is thicker than regular tomato sauce, but not quite as thick as tomato puree (paste). The further you reduce down the sauce, the more intense the flavour.
How to make Pizza Sauce (quick summary)
- Add onion/garlic to olive oil on low-medium heat.
- Fry until golden.
- Stir in tomato puree and fry.
- Add tomatoes.
- Add seasoning.
- Stir then simmer.
Pizza Sauce FAQ
Why is my pizza sauce watery?
This is because it hasn’t reduced down enough. I suggest cooking with the lid slanted on the pot so there’s room for steam to escape so the sauce can reduce.
How do you make pizza sauce thicker?
If it’s still watery after the suggested cooking time, leave the lid off and continue simmering until thickened.
Can you over cook tomato sauce?
Yes. If the sauce is over-reduced (and has a mushy texture like tomato puree/paste) then just add water in 1 tbsp at a time until it has a looser texture.
How long does pizza sauce last in the fridge?
If you completely cool the sauce and tightly store it in the fridge, it should last 3-4days. Longer at your discretion.
Can you freeze pizza sauce?
Yes! Just cool and tightly store in the freezer. I recommend defrosting in the fridge overnight, but you can reheat small portions of it straight from the freezer on a very low heat on the stove (thin out with water as needed).
What can I use pizza sauce for other than pizza?
You can use leftovers and stir through pasta! Just thin it out with water if you need to. Here’s some other ‘pizza-like’ recipes to plonk it on:
- Pepperoni Pizza Puff Pastry Parcels
- Pizza Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
- Puff Pastry Pinwheels
- Pizza Chicken Parmesan
I don’t think I’ve used so many P’s in such a short space of time 🤣
If you’re looking for a BBQ style pizza then definitely check out my BBQ Chicken Pizza. For more simple sauces check out these beauties:
Alrighty, let’s tuck into the full pizza sauce recipe shall we?!
How to make Pizza Sauce (Full Recipe & Video)
Homemade Pizza Sauce (Rich & Rustic)
Equipment:
- Medium Sized Pot with Lid
- Fine Grater
- Wooden Spoon
Ingredients (check list):
- 1x 14oz/400g can of Good Quality Skinned Plum Tomatoes (roughly chop in can with knife)
- 1/2 small White Onion, grated
- 1-2 cloves of Garlic, grated/minced
- 1 tbsp Tomato Puree (Tomato Paste in US)
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 tsp Dried Oregano
- 1/2 tsp Dried Basil
- 1/2 tsp Sugar, or to taste
- 1/4 tsp Salt, or to taste
- 1/8 tsp Black Pepper, or to taste
- 1/4 tsp Chilli Flakes, or to taste (optional)
Instructions:
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a medium pot over low-medium heat. Add grated onion & garlic and fry until they just begin to brown (careful, garlic burns quickly and goes bitter). Add 1 tbsp tomato puree and fry for a few mins.
- Pour in tomatoes, then swill out the can with a little water and pour that in too. Add 1 tsp oregano, 1/2 tsp basil and sugar and 1/4 tsp salt, black pepper and chilli flakes (optional). Give it a good stir and bring to boil. Immediately reduce heat to low and simmer with the lid on (slanted to allow some steam to escape) for 30-40mins, or until thick and no longer watery, stirring occasionally.
- If the sauce thickens too much just add water in 1 tbsp at a time to thin out. If the sauce is still watery just continue simmering on low with the lid off. Taste for seasoning and adjust accordingly. Blitz until smooth if you prefer!
Quick 1 min demo!
Notes:
Your Private Notes:
Nutrition:
If you loved this Pizza Sauce Recipe then be sure to pin it for later! Already made them or got a question? Give me a shout in the comments below and pick up your free ecookbook along the way!
16 Comments
Gill
July 28, 2023 at 3:23 pmI love this sauce. I’ve made it quite a few times now. I use the leftovers as a pasta sauce with fresh tortellini the next day. Absolutely gorgeous.
Thanks for sharing all your recipes Chris. I’m a huge fan and am gradually working my way through them all! 😀
Chris Collins
July 28, 2023 at 7:51 pmSo lovely to hear, Gill! Thanks so much for the review and hope you get to enjoy more recipes 🙂 C.
Jules
October 7, 2022 at 1:24 pmI just made this after finding the recipe via Pinterest. Oh it is just *chef kiss*. Thankyou!
Chris Collins
October 7, 2022 at 3:40 pmAh that’s great to hear, Jules! Thank you for the review 🙂 C.
Jo Parker
April 5, 2021 at 11:13 am5/5! Absolutely fantastic and so easy to make. My very picky family all loved it. Can’t recommend highly enough.
Chris Collins
April 5, 2021 at 11:29 amGreat to hear, Jo! Thanks so much for the review 🙂
Elizabeth
March 19, 2020 at 9:11 amWe make a lot of homemade pizzas and we’ve been looking for a decent sauce recipe we can make from scratch too – I think I’ve just found it! This sounds amazing!
Chris Collins
March 19, 2020 at 10:12 amThank you! Enjoy!!
Sadia Malik
March 19, 2020 at 4:51 amThis looks so easy and no fancy ingredients either, will try soon.
Chris Collins
March 19, 2020 at 10:11 amHope you love it 🙂
Sara Welch
March 19, 2020 at 4:07 amThis was perfectly hearty and rich! Better than anything I have had in a restaurant, too! Looking forward to enjoying this again soon!
Chris Collins
March 19, 2020 at 10:11 amSo glad it went down well, Sara 🙂
Krissy Allori
March 19, 2020 at 2:23 amThis is a great pizza sauce! Bursting with flavor. I’ll be saving this recipe to make again.
Chris Collins
March 19, 2020 at 10:11 amYay! Thanks Krissy!
Emily Liao
March 18, 2020 at 10:59 pmThis homemade pizza sauce is the best! It’s got tons of fresh flavors and bakes beautifully with my pizza crust.
Chris Collins
March 19, 2020 at 10:11 amThat’s awesome to hear! Thanks Emily 🙂