Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe (5 Minutes) (2024)

By Laura

Posted Sep 23, 2018, Updated Jan 28, 2024

4.99 from 1341 votes

784 Comments

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This easy Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe is made in 5 minutes with 8 ingredients. This no-cook sauce is truly the best pizza sauce recipe ever – developed from my experience working in a Chicago pizzeria!

Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe (5 Minutes) (2)

We love makingpizza at home because it’s easy (my kids have been making it every week since they were 5), fun and less expensive than delivery.

This is our go-to easy homemade pizza sauce recipe. It takes five minutes to make and results in the best pizza you’ve ever had.

I’m from Chicago (born and raised), so we’ve enjoyed some of the best pizza in the world. I remember, one evening after dining at a famous pizza restaurant my husband was less than impressed.I thought he had gone crazy!

His problem was with the sauce. “There was only a thin layer and it tastedjust like tomatoes” was his personal opinion. He likes his pizza saucy, bold and flavorful andthat particular pie just didn’t cut it. Moral of the story: there’s no weak sauce allowed in our household. And thisEasy Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe ensures that!

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Pizza Sauce Recipe: Substitutions

Here are a few possible substitutions that can be made in this recipe.

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  • Tomato Sauce.Sometimes I run out of cans of tomato sauce, and in a pinch I have used a can of diced tomatoes that I tossed in the blender. You can also use fresh blended tomatoes as well.
  • Tomato Paste. Please don’t leave out the tomato paste. It makes the pizza sauce thick which is key in making non-soggy pizza.
  • Oregano/Italian seasoning.I always make this with dried spices, but you can use fresh. Also, if you like a sauce with a less bold flavor, you might want to start will less and add more to your preferences.
  • Garlic salt.If you don’t keep garlic salt on hand, substitute an extra ¼ teaspoon garlic powder and ½ to 1 teaspoon sea salt.
  • Granulated sugar.This can be omitted, or you can substitute honey. However the sugar enhances the flavor of the tomatoes and cuts the “bite” of the sauce.

Note: this pizza sauce recipe is vegan as written, so you can even make some great dairy-free pizzas with this recipe.

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How to Make Pizza Sauce

This homemade pizza sauce recipe is easy to make in 5 minutes. You can also prepare itahead of time and store in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it to make pizza.

Begin by mixing the tomato paste and sauce together in a medium size bowl until well combined. Using a whisk is a great choice.

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Then, add the rest of the ingredients (oregano, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, garlic salt, pepper and sugar) and mix until the ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the sauce.

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Then, use it in your favorite pizza recipes. The flavor and essence of a pizza lies in the pizza sauce. So be sure to spread a nice, thick even layer on top of your pizza dough.

Pizza Dough Recipes:

This Easy Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe is our go-to. It requires no rising, and makes a delicious pizza in under 30 minutes! Or try this whole wheat pizza dough. And check out our extensive post on how to make pizza!

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How to Store Pizza Sauce

Store this pizza sauce in a glass jar with a lid for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator, or up to 3 months in the freezer.

To use, let the sauce come to room temperature before spreading it on your pizza dough.

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Pizza Sauce Recipe FAQs

How many pizzas can I make with this pizza sauce recipe?

This recipe makes enough sauce to make two large pizzas, or four medium-sized pizza.

Can I double this recipe?

This easy pizza sauce recipe iseasily doubled or tripled.

What is the difference between Pizza Sauce and Spaghetti Sauce?

This is a common question I get asked all the time! Here are some distinctions between the two:
Spaghetti sauce has a higher water content. This is why I don’t recommend using a jar of marinara when making homemade pizza, you could end up with a mushy watery mess!
Pizza sauce is thicker.this goes along with the point above, but pizza sauce contains tomato paste, which causes it to spread easier and more evenly!
Pizza sauce is more flavorful.This might be my own opinion, but we like a lot more spices in our pizza sauce than we do in our spaghetti sauce!

Should homemade pizza sauce be cooked?

This recipe is for a no-cook pizza sauce so it does not need to be cooked.

Can I use ketchup as pizza sauce?

I actually get this question a lot – please do not use ketchup as pizza sauce. Ketchup is not a substitute for any of the ingredients in this recipe.

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If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe (5 Minutes) (11)

Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe (5 Minutes) (12)

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Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe

Laura

This easy Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe is made in 5 minutes with 8 ingredients. This no-cook sauce is truly the best pizza sauce recipe ever – developed from my experience working in a Chicago pizzeria!

4.99 from 1341 votes

Course condiment, Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine American, Italian

Servings 24 Servings

Calories 23.3

Prep Time5 minutes minutes

Total Time5 minutes minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Mix tomato paste and sauce together in a medium size bowl until smooth.

  • Add the rest of the ingredients – oregano, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, garlic salt, pepper and sugar – and stir until evenly distributed throughout the sauce.

  • Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking.

  • Spread onto your favorite pizza dough recipe.

Video

Notes

*sugar can be omitted and it will still taste great. Or use honey.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Tomato Sauce.Sometimes I run out of cans of tomato sauce, and in a pinch I have used a can of diced tomatoes that I tossed in the blender. You can also use fresh blended tomatoes as well.
  • Tomato Paste. Please don’t leave out the tomato paste. It makes the pizza sauce thick which is key in making non-soggy pizza.
  • Oregano/Italian seasoning.I always make this with dried spices, but you can use fresh. Also, if you like a sauce with a less bold flavor, you might want to start will less and add more to your preferences.
  • Garlic salt.If you don’t keep garlic salt on hand, substitute an extra ¼ teaspoon garlic powder and ½ to 1 teaspoon sea salt.
  • Granulated sugar.This can be omitted, or you can substitute honey. However the sugar enhances the flavor of the tomatoes and cuts the “bite” of the sauce.

Tip: use a red spatula

If you’d like to prevent turning your white or light colored spatulas orange, I suggest using a red spatula or a stainless steel spoon to make this recipe.

This red spatula is my favorite! I use it foreverything,especially making red-colored foods like this homemade pizza sauce.

How to Store Pizza Sauce

  • Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. The sauce will thicken in the refrigerator, so be sure to let it come to room temperature or gently warm it in the microwave before using!
  • Freeze.Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to two months!

Spread this sauce onto the best pizza dough recipe!

Nutrition

Serving: 2TBS | Calories: 23.3kcal | Carbohydrates: 5.4g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.2g | Sodium: 479.1mg | Potassium: 237.8mg | Fiber: 1.2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 330IU | Vitamin C: 7.1mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 0.9mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

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FAQs

What can I use if I don't have pizza sauce? ›

Some popular pizza sauce alternatives include the following:
  1. Pesto.
  2. Ricotta Cheese.
  3. Barbecue Sauce.
  4. Ranch Dressing.
  5. Tapenade.
  6. Olive Oil and Garlic.
  7. Sweet Chili Sauce.
  8. Chimichurri Sauce.

Can you use ketchup as pizza base? ›

If you have a sensitivity to the spices in pizza sauce you might use ketchup or just blend up some tomatoes or even use a white sauce instead. Normally, one would not want to use ketchup instead of pizza sauce if they are in a pinch and don't have pizza sauce. I'd just go to the store and buy the pizza sauce.

What is pizza sauce made of? ›

Mix together water, tomato paste, and olive oil in a large bowl or jar. Add garlic, oregano, basil, rosemary, salt, and pepper; mix well. Let sauce stand for several hours to let flavors blend. No cooking is necessary; just spread on dough.

What is a good replacement for tomato sauce on pizza? ›

Barbecue sauce-

Barbeque sauce is a great substitute for your pizza to your same old tomato sauce. It is sweet and tangy and delicious at the same time. It's rich smokiness, with a little hint of hot spice, is every food lover's dream.

Can I use ketchup as my pizza sauce? ›

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.

Do Italians dip pizza in ketchup? ›

The short answer is no. In Italian culture, ketchup on pizza is considered a big taboo. While some people have adopted this practice over time, it remains firmly outside the traditional pizza-eating experience. Italians prefer using fresh ingredients when making their pizzas and avoid condiments altogether.

Can you use regular tomato sauce as pizza 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.

Why do people dip pizza in ketchup? ›

Tomato ketchup is one of the most common sauces that are used to boost up the taste of a pie. This pleasingly viscous, tomato sauce is luxurious and also offers a rustic flavor to your pizza. The fresh and tangy ketchup is the best match for cheesy Margherita pizzas.

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.

How to make pizza sauce from Prego? ›

Take your jarred pasta sauce and put it in the food processor. This will help the chunky tomatoes and other condiments to blend into a smooth paste. Turn on the heat and let the blended mixture simmer until you get a thick pizza sauce consistently.

How to make jar pizza sauce taste homemade? ›

How to Make Jarred Tomato Sauce Better… And If You Even Should
  1. Start With a Good Jar.
  2. Add Alliums.
  3. Deglaze With Wine.
  4. Season Smartly.
  5. Whisk in Tomato Paste.
  6. Boost the Acidity.
  7. Toss in Olives or Capers.
  8. Add Vegetables.

What gives pizza sauce its distinctive flavor? ›

Traditional pizza sauce is made with a base of tomatoes and spices like garlic, onion, basil, and oregano. You might think that this makes a pizza simple or boring, but this isn't the case. There are so many varieties and recipes for it that you'll never get bored of this meal!

How can I thicken my homemade pizza sauce? ›

You can do this in two ways - either by reducing it over low heat in a skillet, which is essentially slowly evaporating excess liquid from the sauce until your desired consistency is reached, or by heating in a skillet and incorporating a slurry of 1 tablespoon cornstarch to 2 tablespoons of water and stirring until ...

Is pizza sauce necessary? ›

Pizza means flatbread. This means that a pizza can really be called pizza if it has no cheese. That's the case of pizza alla marinara, with crushed tomatoes, garlic, oregano, and a drizzle of extravirgin olive oil. A real pizza can be without any tomato sauce, like this pizza ortolana, with a fresh vegetables medley.

Can salsa be used as pizza sauce? ›

I use all sorts of sauces for my base layer. If your salsa is watery I would drain it through a sieve first, put down a layer of cheese first then top it with the salsa. It will prevent the crust from getting soggy. You might also want to try artichoke and spinach dip as a base with lots of parmigiano cheese on top!

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.

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