Homemade Pizza Sauce

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An easy-to-prepare, homemade pizza sauce made from pantry staples; canned tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, tomato paste, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian herbs and brown sugar.

A rolled-out pizza dough spread with tomato sauce on parchment paper, with dough balls, a jar of pizza sauce, and a small bowl nearby.

We love making Homemade Pizza Dough in our family. There's something very satisfying about making a meal from scratch. Although we sometimes use store bought pizza sauce for convenience, more often than not I'm also making that from scratch! I thought it was high-time I got my delicious recipe for Homemade Pizza Sauce on the website so that you can enjoy it too.

This sauce can not on be used on pizza bases but is also perfect for the Pizza Rolls recipe!

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Ingredient notes:
Step by step instructions:
Recipe FAQs:
Storage:
Top tips:
Related Recipes:
Homemade Pizza Sauce

Ingredient notes:

A selection of pasta sauce ingredients on a counter: olive oil, Italian herbs, brown sugar, garlic, diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, and tomato paste.

Canned Tomatoes: To make the sauce come together faster I recommend using crushed or diced canned tomatoes. If using whole peeled canned tomatoes, ensure you break them up well so that they can reduce down.
Sun-dried tomatoes: These add such a lovely depth of flavour to the sauce!
Brown sugar: When making tomato based sauces, it's important to balance out the acidity of the tomatoes with a little brown sugar.

Note: Scroll to the recipe card for the ingredients, quantities and the full method.

Step by step instructions:

In a large saucepan over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, tomato paste and Italian herbs. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.

Chopped sun-dried tomatoes, tomato paste, minced garlic, and dried herbs in a stainless steel pot.

Tomato sauce simmering in a stainless steel pot, with visible chunks of tomato and a smooth, red texture.

Add the crushed tomatoes and brown sugar. Stir well to combine.

A pot of tomato sauce bubbling on a stovetop, with steam rising from the surface.

A metal pot filled with red tomato sauce sits on a wooden surface.

Simmer on low heat, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes or until the sauce reduces and the flavours are well combined. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

A close-up of thick tomato sauce being stirred with a purple spoon in a metal pot.

A spoonful of red pizza sauce is held over an open jar labeled Pizza Sauce, with dough balls on a baking tray in the background.

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Use it as a base for your favourite pizzas.

A spoon spreads tomato pizza sauce from a jar onto a round, uncooked pizza dough on a wooden board.

Recipe FAQs:

Could this sauce be made with fresh tomatoes instead?

Yes it could, it will just require a bit more effort. You would need about 1.2 kg of fresh, ripe tomatoes. Blanch, peel, and chop them before adding. You may need to simmer longer to achieve the same thickness.

Can I add fresh herbs?

Yes! Add fresh basil, oregano or thyme at the end of cooking for a fresh flavour boost.

What else can I use this sauce for besides pizza?

It's great as a pasta sauce, a base for shakshuka, or spooned over grilled chicken or veggies.

Storage:

Store your pizza sauce an airtight container or jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Yes! This sauce freezes well. Store it in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight before using.

Top tips:

If you prefer a smooth sauce, use a stick blender or transfer to a regular blender once it has cooled slightly.

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Homemade Pizza Sauce

Yield: Makes 3 cups

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

An easy-to-prepare, homemade pizza sauce made from pantry staples; canned tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, tomato paste, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian herbs and brown sugar.

Ingredients

2 tsp olive oil
4 garlic cloves, crushed
3 Tbsp sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped
2 Tbsp tomato paste
2 tsp dried Italian herbs
2 x 400g cans crushed tomatoes
2 tsp brown sugar

Instructions

In a large saucepan over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, tomato paste and Italian herbs. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Add the crushed tomatoes and brown sugar. Stir well to combine.
Simmer on low heat, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes or until the sauce reduces and the flavours are well combined.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Use it as a base for your favourite pizzas.

Notes

Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 50 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 9Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 30mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 0g

Nutritional values are approximate. Please use your own calculations if you require a special diet.

Thank you for checking out this recipe. I hope you enjoy making and eating it! If you have any questions, queries or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below.
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Vanya