Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe (5- Minutes)
Posted Sep 23, 2018, Updated Sep 30, 2024
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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!
We love making pizza 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 tasted just like tomatoes” was his personal opinion. He likes his pizza saucy, bold and flavorful and that particular pie just didn’t cut it. Moral of the story: there’s no weak sauce allowed in our household. And this Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe ensures that!
Pizza Sauce Recipe: Substitutions
Here are a few possible substitutions that can be made in this recipe.
- 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.
How to Make Pizza Sauce
This homemade pizza sauce recipe is easy to make in 5 minutes. You can also prepare it ahead 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.
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.
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 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!
Also, try our favorite pizza recipes like cheese pizza, pepperoni pizza, BBQ chicken pizza and french bread pizza – all of which use this sauce recipe!
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.
Pizza Sauce Recipe FAQs
This recipe makes enough sauce to make two large pizzas, or four medium-sized pizza.
This easy pizza sauce recipe is easily doubled or tripled.
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!
This recipe is for a no-cook pizza sauce so it does not need to be cooked.
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.
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 see your creations!
Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 1-2 Tablespoons dried oregano to taste
- 2 Tablespoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ Tablespoon garlic salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sugar*
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
- 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.
- 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!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Quarantined and only have 8 oz can of tomato sauce not a 16 oz… But every other ingredient. Thinking about subbing in ketchup for the other 8 oz and then ommitting the sugar because of that. Possibly upping spices and maybe add dash of hot sauce (to cut the ketchup)… Think that would work? Or should I try to HALF the recipe instead…. I have no canned tomatoes!
Hey Melissa! I do NOT recommend using ketchup! I’d recommend halving the recipe instead. It should be enough for one pizza if you like a normal amount of sauce!!
This recipe is very oregano forward if you use dried. It’s a bit overwhelming. I used half of the oregano and it was almost too much. So definitely use less if you are not a fan. Otherwise pretty yummy!
Hey Kelli! Thank you for your review! I suggest in the recipe to start with less if you’re not super into spice! 🙂 We love it as-is, but I understand why someone might want to tone it down slightly!
Yum! I’ve made this sauce a few times now and it always turns out great (even though I’m not super good at following exact measurements). I occasionally use leftover puréed vegetable soup instead of tomato sauce and sometimes add parsley or a dash of paprika into the mix. And my favourite pizza is chicken onion pineapple with a bbq sauce so I do occasionally add a bit of bbq sauce (2-4TBS) to half the recipe for “my” pizza. This sauce has always turned out delicious no matter how I make it and it is my go-to for a perfect pizza.
Thank you so much for sharing Rachel! I’m so glad you enjoy it!
I’m assuming you used dried oregano and not fresh?
Yes!
This sauce is so easy and convenient. I usually have most of the ingredients on hand. I split the recipe into three mason jars, used one and froze the other two. It makes a good amount of sauce so if you only like a thin layer on your pizza you will have extra for next time!
Thank you Sharon!
The best pizza sauce ever! Thank you so much!
I do cook a lot and this was perfect for King Arthur’s pan pizza. Couldn’t get to the store to get my old standby so I used my pantry goods. Will always use this for now on. Being in isolation these days and cooking for the fam this lifted everybody’s spirits. Thank you for this and be well.
Can’t wait to try this! I’m doing the exact same thing – trying King Arthur’s pizza dough recipe and trying this for the sauce to cheer up the fam while in isolation. Thanks for the recipe!
I’m giving this 5 stars because I tasted it without the pizza. It is really good, making dough right now so pizza later. I won’t buy pizza sauce again. Thanks.
How many tins of chopped tomatoes to every tomato sauce can? Because chopped tomatoes are more liquidy, would it affect the consistency?
I use 1 and blend it. It is thinner but it still works well! you can always drain the canned tomatoes first then blend and mix with the paste!
Hi, I am planning to make this sauce but I was just wondering when you say tomato sauce can I use pasatta here?
Yes you can! Just be aware that the taste and consistency could be slightly different, but I think it would still taste great!