This Italian cheese is so versatile that it can be used in both sweet and savory recipes from cheesecakes to lasagnas.
Pizza Sauce
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- #8215
Skip the stuff in a jar and make your own tasty pizza sauce at home. It's easier than you think. This sauce is made with a combination of tomato sauce and tomato paste, sauteed onion and garlic, and seasoned with basil and oregano. Freezes well too.
serves/makes:
ready in:
under 30 minutes
under 30 minutes
18 reviews
1 comment
ingredients
2 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil (more if needed)
1/2 onion, minced
1 clove garlic, finely minced
1 can (16 ounce size) tomato sauce
1 can (6 ounce size) tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons sugar (optional)
directions
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. When hot, add the onion and garlic and saute until the onion is tender. Do not let the garlic burn.
Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, basil, oregano, and salt (and sugar if using). Combine well and then let simmer, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes.
Recipe makes enough sauce for 2 pizzas and can also be used as a dipping sauce for breadsticks and calzones.
recipe tips
For a deeper flavor, roast the garlic and onions before adding them to the oil.
If you prefer a smoother texture, blend the sauce after simmering.
For a different twist, try adding a splash of balsamic vinegar.
Make a double batch and freeze the extra sauce for quick pizza nights.
Experiment with different spices, such as thyme or Italian seasoning.
For a chunky sauce, you can add sauteed bell peppers or mushrooms after simmering.
Always taste your sauce before using and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Using low-sodium canned tomatoes can give you more control over salt levels in the sauce.
Make sure to keep an eye on the sauce while simmering to prevent it from burning or sticking to the pan.
common recipe questions
What can I substitute for tomato sauce if I'm out?
You can use crushed tomatoes, pureed diced tomatoes, or even a marinara sauce in a pinch, though the texture and flavor may vary slightly.
Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried herbs?
Use about three times the amount of fresh herbs as dried. So if the recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of dried basil, you would use 3 teaspoons of fresh basil.
Why add sugar to the sauce?
Sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes, adding a touch of sweetness.
How long can I store pizza sauce?
When stored in an airtight container, pizza sauce can be refrigerated for up to a week. It can also be frozen for up to three months.
Can I add meat to this sauce?
You can add ground meat like beef or sausage. Cook the meat in the skillet before adding the onions and garlic for a hearty sauce.
Is it possible to make pizza sauce ahead of time?
You can prepare the sauce a day or two in advance. Just store it in the fridge and reheat it or let it come to room temp before using.
Can I adjust the spice level of the sauce?
You can add crushed red pepper flakes for heat or adjust the amount of oregano and basil to taste.
tools needed
Skillet: For heating the olive oil and sauteing the onion and garlic until the onion is tender. A non-stick or regular skillet can be used for this process.
Measuring Spoons: For measuring the olive oil, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and sugar.
Cutting Board: For mincing the onion and garlic before adding them to the skillet.
Sharp Knife: For chopping or mincing the onion and garlic.
Can Opener: To open the cans of tomato sauce and tomato paste.
Wooden Spoon or Spatula: For stirring the ingredients together in the skillet.
what goes with it?
Homemade Pizza: Use the sauce as a base for a classic margherita pizza topped with fresh mozzarella and basil.
Calzones: Fill a homemade calzone with your choice of cheese, meats, and vegetables, and serve with the pizza sauce for dipping.
Pasta Dish: Mix the pizza sauce with cooked pasta, adding vegetables or protein to create a quick and tasty pasta dish.
Breadsticks: Serve warm breadsticks alongside the pizza sauce for dipping.
Stuffed Peppers: Combine some pizza sauce with rice and vegetables to stuff bell peppers, then bake. The sauce will keep the filling moist and infuse it with flavors of herbs and tomato.
Meatball Sub: Use the pizza sauce to smother a meatball sub sandwich, topped with melted cheese.
Casserole Base: Use the sauce as a base for a baked casserole, such as a layered pasta or a veggie bake.
Dipping Sauce: Serve the pizza sauce as a dipping sauce for a platter of assorted appetizers like mozzarella sticks or crispy veggies.
Shakshuka: Incorporate the pizza sauce into a shakshuka by poaching eggs directly in the sauce. The seasoning will create a delicious and spicy breakfast or brunch dish.
nutrition data
290 calories, 14 grams fat, 41 grams carbohydrates, 7 grams protein per serving.
Not to be confused with evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk is very sweet (and very sticky) and used primarily in desserts.
This iconic whiskey is a "Jack of all trades" when it comes to cooking. Toss it in some pasta, as a savory dipping sauce, and even bake it into something sweet.
reviews & comments
October 8, 2013
Great pizza sauce. I've also doubled the recipe and froze it. Just thaw and spread on the pizza.
November 28, 2009
very easy, very good
February 23, 2009
Great basic pizza sauce recipe! I used a chunky tomato sauce and would go with something smoother next time.
September 13, 2008
This is a lovely sauce, made even lovelier by the ease of making it. As the first reviewer stated, it is much better than store-bought sauce. It costs pennies to make and is simple enough to include additional favorite flavors without overdoing the flavor.
July 14, 2008
Very easy, better than store brand!
June 7, 2008
This sauce is amazing! I didn't have any basil :( so I substituted Italian Seasoning. It have the sauce a little kick. This sauce was so good, I think I may make a huge batch and can it.
April 21, 2008
Good basic recipe, to which I added extra tomato sauce, less onion, extra garlic, and lots of extra spices. Oh, and I added honey! Yum!
February 5, 2008
This sauce recipe was OK. I made it last night. I had to spice it up a bit as I found that the recipe recommended amounts of spices were not enough. It wasn't great, but it was pretty decent. Would I make it again? Yes, but I will experiment further with spicing it up a bit.
January 5, 2008
Super Easy - and the tough critics (kids) approve! I agreed and added half the sugar at the end for a perfect balance! I won't buy jarred again!
Question 1: Do I have to use red or white onion? Question 2: Do I use rock or iodized salt? Thank you.
November 20, 2007
Tried this sauce for the first time today and WOW! It is very good. I will definitely be using this recipe again.
October 13, 2007
This was the best sauce recipe I have ever tried. Followed as written and would not change a thing! Have passed this on to others to use.
July 9, 2007
Very good pizza sauce recipe. Only variations I made was to use light brown sugar instead of regular sugar and I used 4 garlic cloves - I like a spicy sauce.
June 26, 2007
Great recipe,I dont think im ever going to use another recipe for my pizza's.I cant thank you enough.I finally found the right flavor.;-}
May 26, 2007
Great sauce-family loved it! My wife thought it tasted like the sauce from Pizza Hut.
May 7, 2007
Also, I added a bit more sugar (I like it a bit sweeter).
May 7, 2007
This is a great pizza sauce recipe! It probably would have been even better had I read the instructions BEFORE I put the minced onion in the sauce pan rather than sautéing it! DOH! Ah, well. Next time I use it, I'll remember!
March 24, 2007
The recipe came out perfect and made a great pizza sauce. Will definitely use again.
January 31, 2007
This sauce was great... I used less sugar, and added it all at the end so I could make it a little less sweet. Great job!