Homemade Pizza Sauce from Scratch Recipe
This homemade pizza sauce recipe from scratch is a flavorful, easy-to-make base perfect for any pizza. Made with canned tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and a blend of Italian seasonings, this sauce delivers a fresh and tangy taste with a hint of sweetness and spice. It’s ideal for those looking to enhance their homemade pizza experience with a sauce that’s both simple and delicious.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 1 ½ cups of pizza sauce, enough for 2-3 medium pizzas
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Pizza Sauce Ingredients
- 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes (or canned whole tomatoes)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Prepare the garlic: Mince the 2 cloves of garlic finely to release their flavor, which will infuse the sauce during cooking.
- Heat the olive oil: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, warm 1 tablespoon of olive oil until shimmering but not smoking.
- Sauté the garlic: Add the minced garlic to the heated oil and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned to avoid bitterness.
- Add tomatoes: Pour in the 15-ounce can of diced or whole tomatoes with their juices. If whole, crush them gently with a spoon for better sauce consistency.
- Season the sauce: Stir in 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon honey, ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, and 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar, mixing well to combine all flavors evenly.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows flavors to meld and sauce to thicken.
- Blend if desired: For a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender or transfer the sauce to a regular blender and pulse until the desired consistency is reached.
- Taste and adjust: Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more salt, honey, or pepper flakes as preferred.
- Cool and store: Remove the sauce from heat, let cool, and use immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Notes
- Use whole canned tomatoes and crush them yourself for a fresher texture.
- If you prefer a chunkier sauce, skip blending.
- Adjust spice levels by modifying the amount of red pepper flakes.
- Honey balances acidity; adjust to taste or substitute with sugar or agave syrup.
- This sauce freezes well for up to 3 months.
- For a richer flavor, simmer longer but watch to prevent burning.
