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Without a doubt, people are opinionated about their pizza sauce!
Some like it smooth. Some like it chunky. Some like it simple and tomato-flavored. Some like it packed with herbs. Some like it sweet. Some like it unsweetened. But without a doubt…good pizza sauce can definitely “make” a pizza!!!
So for what it’s worth, here’s my favorite version of a “smooth” pizza sauce. (I’ll save my chunky version for another time!) I happen to like mine packed with herbs (especially fresh basil), with no added sugar, accented with a splash of red wine and just a touch of cayenne for a little “kick”. It only takes a minute to stir the ingredients together, but then I love to let it simmer on the stove fr 15 or 20 minutes, so that all of the flavors can meld perfectly together….mmmm….
Regardless of your pizza sauce preferences, if you’ve never tried making the sauce from scratch, you must! Definitely a delicious, fresh “step up” from the jar.
Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat until bubbles begin to rise (and pop) at the surface. Reduce heat, cover, and let simmer for another 15 minutes.
Serve warm. Or you can also freeze this to use later. (I love freezing it in ice cube trays so that you can choose how much you want to thaw and use later!)
Ali’s Tip:
If you like your pizza sauce on the “sweeter” side, feel free to add in extra sugar or honey to taste!
That pretty similar to what I make, and it really does make a difference. Last night I threw in a good amount of Chardonnay I had forgotten in the fridge instead of a red wine, and it was a nice switcheroo.
Wow, that is a perfect consistency and a great recipe! I didn’t have a recipe on hand last time I did homemade pizza, but I’ll definitely make sure to have this around next time. What brand of tomato sauce do you use?
I have 3 very picky children, and we love making homemade pizza. Usually we use canned sauce, but were out and I didn’t feel like running to the store, so I looked up this recipe. Needless to say, I will NEVER be buying canned sauce again. We all LOVED this sauce. And it is hard to find something we all enjoy to eat.
Second time, better than the first. I used a 28 oz can of the san marzano tomatoes pressed through a mesh colander and about 4 1/2 TBSP of the tomato paste and kept everything else the same. PERFECT! Used a ball of frozen dough, fresh mozzarella and basil and had myself a very good margharita pizza. This sauce is a keeper. (And I have enough left to freeze for a second one later. I would prefer fresh sauce, but some days there just isn’t time.)
Hayley @ Gimme Some Oven —
Thanks for sharing with us, Cat — we’re so glad you enjoyed it!
this looks so delicious! Lucky that I am making pizza tonight :) can’t wait to try it!
I’ve been wanting to make my own pizza sauce for ages, this sounds perfect, thanks for the recipe!
That pretty similar to what I make, and it really does make a difference. Last night I threw in a good amount of Chardonnay I had forgotten in the fridge instead of a red wine, and it was a nice switcheroo.
I can’t wait to try this. I thought about buying some pizza sauce, but could not bring myself to do it. Going to give this a try. Sounds yummy.
I like your pizza sauce!
Thank you for posting your way to prepare it…
bye
Wow, that is a perfect consistency and a great recipe! I didn’t have a recipe on hand last time I did homemade pizza, but I’ll definitely make sure to have this around next time. What brand of tomato sauce do you use?
Hi Ali,
Have you ever tried Casa Visco Pizza sauce? Third generation family owned, I would be interested in your opinion….
have a great day,
adine
I have 3 very picky children, and we love making homemade pizza. Usually we use canned sauce, but were out and I didn’t feel like running to the store, so I looked up this recipe. Needless to say, I will NEVER be buying canned sauce again. We all LOVED this sauce. And it is hard to find something we all enjoy to eat.
So good..hmmm, thanx
do u HAVE to freeze the sauce for further use? or can u just jar it and keep it in the fridge
can we make pizza sauce without dried herbs? because i don’t all kinds of herbs at my place…
Second time, better than the first. I used a 28 oz can of the san marzano tomatoes pressed through a mesh colander and about 4 1/2 TBSP of the tomato paste and kept everything else the same. PERFECT! Used a ball of frozen dough, fresh mozzarella and basil and had myself a very good margharita pizza. This sauce is a keeper. (And I have enough left to freeze for a second one later. I would prefer fresh sauce, but some days there just isn’t time.)
Thanks for sharing with us, Cat — we’re so glad you enjoyed it!
Fabulous!
This recipe looks great. Giving it a try this evening with pizzaretta oven baked pizza.