Pizza sauce is an essential part of any pizza. It brings flavor and moisture to the base and helps to elevate your pizza from good to great. Whether you’re making a classic mozzarella pizza or trying out new toppings, having a good sauce can make all the difference. In this article, we’ll explore different types of pizza sauces that you can easily make at home.
Why Make This Recipe
Making your own pizza sauce is rewarding and simple. You know exactly what goes into it, and you can adjust the flavors to suit your taste. Plus, it is a quick way to enhance your homemade pizza. Store-bought sauces can be expensive and often contain preservatives. By making your own, you save money and enjoy a fresher taste.
How to Make Pizza Sauces
Ingredients
- 1 cup tomato paste, unsalted (Note 1)
- 1 tsp salt (Note 1)
- 2 tsp white sugar
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 2 tsp garlic, finely minced (optional)
- 2 tbsp water
- 1/2 tsp EACH dried parsley, basil, and oregano (optional)
- 1 cup tomato passata (Note 2)
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion (small), finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic grated or finely chopped
- 800g / 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
Directions
Instant Pizza Sauce: In a bowl, mix 1 cup of tomato paste, 1 tsp salt, 2 tsp sugar, 2 tsp olive oil, and 2 tbsp water. Optionally, add minced garlic and dried herbs for extra flavor.
Fresh and Bright Pizza Sauce: Combine 1 cup tomato passata, 1 tbsp tomato paste, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp sugar. Mix in 1 tbsp olive oil for a fresh and light sauce.
New York Pizza Sauce: Sauté 1 small finely chopped onion in 2 tbsp olive oil until soft. Add 2 cloves of grated garlic, 800g canned crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1 tsp sugar. Simmer for 20 minutes.
Using Pizza Sauce: Spread your favorite pizza sauce on a rolled-out pizza dough and top it with cheese and any toppings you like.
How to Serve Pizza Sauces
Serve your homemade pizza sauce warm or at room temperature with a variety of toppings. It pairs perfectly with mozzarella cheese, fresh veggies, meats, or even a drizzle of olive oil.
How to Store Pizza Sauces
Keep any leftover pizza sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for about a week. You can also freeze the sauce for up to 3 months. Just thaw it in the refrigerator before using.
Tips to Make Pizza Sauces
- Taste your sauce before using it. Adjust the sugar or salt to get the flavor just right.
- For a spicier sauce, consider adding red pepper flakes to the mix.
- Fresh herbs such as basil or oregano can really brighten up the flavor, so don’t hesitate to add them!
Variation
You can easily switch up the tomato base and use crushed tomatoes instead of tomato paste for a chunkier sauce, or use fire-roasted tomatoes for a smoky flavor.
FAQs
Q1: Can I use fresh tomatoes for pizza sauce?
Yes, fresh tomatoes can be used. Blanch and peel them, then crush them before using.
Q2: How long does pizza sauce last in the refrigerator?
Homemade pizza sauce can last in the refrigerator for about a week when stored properly in an airtight container.
Q3: Can I adjust the spice level of the pizza sauce?
Absolutely! You can increase or decrease the amount of garlic and add red pepper flakes for a spicier sauce.
Now that you know how to make different pizza sauces, get creative with your pizza night! Happy cooking!
Homemade Pizza Sauces
Ingredients
Instant Pizza Sauce
- 1 cup tomato paste, unsalted Note 1
- 1 tsp salt Note 1
- 2 tsp white sugar
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp water
- 2 tsp garlic, finely minced optional
- ½ tsp dried parsley optional
- ½ tsp dried basil optional
- ½ tsp dried oregano optional
Fresh and Bright Pizza Sauce
- 1 cup tomato passata Note 2
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
New York Pizza Sauce
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, grated or finely chopped
- 800 g canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ¾ tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
Instant Pizza Sauce
- In a bowl, mix 1 cup of tomato paste, 1 tsp salt, 2 tsp sugar, 2 tsp olive oil, and 2 tbsp water. Optionally, add minced garlic and dried herbs for extra flavor.
Fresh and Bright Pizza Sauce
- Combine 1 cup tomato passata, 1 tbsp tomato paste, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp sugar. Mix in 1 tbsp olive oil for a fresh and light sauce.
New York Pizza Sauce
- Sauté 1 small finely chopped onion in 2 tbsp olive oil until soft.
- Add 2 cloves of grated garlic, then add 800g canned crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1 tsp sugar.
- Simmer for 20 minutes.
Using Pizza Sauce
- Spread your favorite pizza sauce on a rolled-out pizza dough and top it with cheese and any toppings you like.
