Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce – Your New Favorite Recipe

Everyone loves pizza, and it is a staple in most homes.  In fact, 93% of Americans order a pizza at least once a month! That is a lot of pizzas.

We love to make homemade pizzas. I have found that baking them in a cast iron pan in our oven makes wonderful pizza. The crust is perfect and never soggy. Our favorite way to make pizza in the summer is in our outdoor wood-fired pizza oven. 

The foundation of our great homemade pizza, besides homemade dough, is this easy pizza sauce recipe.  It is naturally gluten-free and vegan, which is an added benefit. Pizza is the perfect comfort food that is meant to be enjoyed with friends and family and is even better when you make it at home.

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Did you know that the pizza marinara might date all the way back to 1735? It was said that sailors back in the day had this delicious dish on their ships. Made with simple yet flavorful ingredients like olive oil, cherry tomatoes, basil, oregano, and garlic.  It was an easy food to preserve. These claims are based on tradition, and solid evidence may be lacking. But this famous pizza’s history and tradition make it even more intriguing.

What’s a good pizza without a flavorful sauce? Store-bought pizza sauce may seem easy, but it cannot compare to the homemade pizza sauce made with fresh ingredients. With a few basic ingredients, you can make an easy homemade pizza sauce that will change the game for your pizza night.   Also, it is simple to customize this thick sauce to your liking, so make it spicer by adding more pepper flakes or garlic. Make it your own.

Let’s make this easy homemade pizza sauce recipe.

Here are the ingredients.

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Tomato Sauce

The base of this sauce is tomato, so use a good quality one or homemade if you have it.  

If you have a garden full of tomatoes, start with homemade canned tomato sauce and this pizza sauce is a 10-minute job.

Tomato Paste

Tomato paste deepens the tomato flavor and thickens the sauce.

Olive Oil

Use good quality extra virgin olive oil.

Balsamic Vinegar

Balsamic Vinegar adds a bright, tangy, acidic flavor to the pizza sauce.

Garlic

Use fresh garlic – crushed.  You can use dried granulated garlic or garlic powder if you don’t have fresh.

Marjoram

Marjoram has a sweet, herby, piney, and earthy taste. It is often compared to oregano but is less robust and a little more delicate.  You could substitute with oregano if you like. Use fresh herbs if you have them.

Basil

Dried basil is an Italian herb staple perfect in pizza sauces.  Use fresh basil if you have it.

Sugar

Just a little sugar to balance out the acidity from the balsamic vinegar.

Red Pepper Flakes

Red Pepper Flakes give the sauce a little kick, but it will not be spicy with the small amount in this recipe.  Definitely use more if you like things with a little kick.

Salt & Pepper

Salt is a seasoning that enhances flavors. Pepper is a spice and adds flavor.

Here is how to make this red sauce.

Over medium heat, add all ingredients to a pot, cover, and bring to a low boil. Uncover and lower the heat to simmer.  Cook sauce for approximately 15 minutes.

I like to cook my sauce for a few minutes, but it is not uncommon to not cook pizza sauce.  So if you are in a hurry, by all means, don’t cook it.

Storing the sauce.

Homemade pizza sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week or in the freezer for up to six months. Allow the sauce to cool completely before storing it in an airtight container. To thaw, take it out of the freezer and transfer it to the refrigerator overnight. 

How much sauce does this recipe make?

This recipe makes enough for three large 16-inch pizzas.  Remember you don’t want to add too much sauce to your pizza as it will make the dough soggy and hard to transfer it to a hot cast iron pan in your oven or wood-fired pizza oven.  

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Baking the pizza.

When using a conventional oven, preheat the oven to 450 degrees with the cast iron pan or baking stone in it.   Transfer your pizza with a pizza peel and cook for approximately 15-20 minutes when good and hot.  It will be done when everything is nice and bubbly, and the dough is lightly browned, which can be checked with a spatula.

Conclusion:

Making your own sauce elevates your pizza game to a whole new level. With this best homemade pizza sauce recipe, you can have a delicious sauce that is full of fresh flavors and ready in no time. This versatile sauce can be used as a base for pizza, a dipping sauce, or even a pasta sauce.  Plus, it’s a great way to control the ingredients and avoid any unwanted preservatives or additives. Try this great pizza sauce out, and you’ll never go back to the store-bought stuff again!  

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Make a homemade pizza dough recipe like my recipe Easy Pizza Dough Recipe. Add this homemade sauce and your favorite pizza toppings to your own pizza.

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Here are some other recipes for you to try.

Try my Rustic Goat Cheese & Fig Jam Pizza (with Toasted Walnuts or Candied Nuts!) a try, it is perfect for an appetizer or dinner.

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