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We have pizza for dinner EVERY week!!
Every Friday night is pizza and a movie, which usually means homemade pizza. For homemade pizza nights, whipping up our pizza sauce is a must—the incredible flavor simply can’t be beaten! See how to make pizza sauce with just a handful of simple ingredients and in just 20 minutes.
You may be thinking, why do homemade when it’s so easy to buy? When it comes to flavor and freshness, homemade pizza truly blows delivery out of the water! Homemade is the best, and when you have the sauce to go with it, it’s even better (we also love our white pizza sauce!)
This sauce recipe has the best combination of tomato sauce and herbs. It’s a little garlicky, a little sweet from the touch of sugar, and tangy from the basil and tomatoes. We also love that we have the ingredients on hand at all times.
Use is to make classic Pepperoni Pizza, Margherita Pizza, or a favorite twist – Pizza Casserole!
Why we think you’ll love it:
- Ready in minutes. We always have the ingredients on hand for the sauce because they’re pantry staples.
- Packed with flavor. You cannot beat the flavors and spices in this sauce recipe!
- Easy to store. We love prepping the spices ahead of time, so this sauce is always ready for an effortlessly easy dinner!
Pizza Sauce Ingredients and Substitutions
- 3 (8-ounce) cans tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon basil – or fresh basil
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano – or fresh oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon sugar – or brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- red pepper flakes (optional) – or a pinch of cayenne pepper for added flavor and heat
How to Make Pizza Sauce
- HEAT. Heat tomato sauce, basil, pepper, oregano, salt, sugar, garlic powder, and onion powder in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer, but do not let boil.
- ENJOY! Remove from heat and spread on top of homemade pizza dough. Top with cheese and your favorite pizza toppings.
- This best pizza sauce makes about 2 cups, which is perfect to top a couple of homemade pizzas.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Fresh herbs are less potent than dried herbs; so to replace the dried basil and dried oregano, use 1 tablespoon of fresh cut herbs for every 1 teaspoon of dried herbs.
- Tomatoes are naturally high in acidity. To help counteract the acidity, we add white sugar, but brown sugar or baking soda can be used. Start with a little, then add more if needed.
- This easy homemade pizza sauce recipe makes about 2 cups. If you double it, then you can store extra to use later.
- Aside from pizza, use this as a dipping sauce for Breadsticks, Mozzarella Sticks, Baked Zucchini Fries, or to make Pizza Casserole or Pizza Dip.
Pizza Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 (8-ounce) cans tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon basil
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Heat all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a simmer, but do not let boil.
- Spread on top of dough, and enjoy with your favorite toppings.
Video
Notes
- Fresh herbs are less potent than dried herbs; so to replace the dried basil and dried oregano, use 1 tablespoon of fresh cut herbs for every 1 teaspoon of dried herbs.
- Tomatoes are naturally high in acidity. To help counteract the acidity, we add white sugar, but brown sugar or baking soda can be used. Start with a little, then add more if needed.
- This easy homemade pizza sauce recipe makes about 2 cups. If you double it, then you can store extra to use later.
- Aside from pizza, use this as a dipping sauce for Breadsticks, Mozzarella Sticks, Baked Zucchini Fries, or to make Pizza Casserole or Pizza Dip.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
To bring the taste of Italy to your table, use a 28-ounce can of San Marzano peeled tomatoes. Drain about 3-4 ounces of liquid from the canned tomatoes, then add the remaining contents to a blender and blend until smooth. Use the freshly blended tomato sauce in the pizza sauce recipe. You may need to simmer longer for any excess liquid to evaporate.
Allow the sauce to cool and pour into an airtight container or jar and keep it in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks, or freezer for up to 3 months.
To freeze in small amounts, spoon into muffin tins and place in the freezer. Once solid, take the cubes out of the muffin tin and place them in a freezer container and freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheat. Thaw overnight and microwave in bursts, or simmer in a pot on the stove until the sauce is smooth and warm throughout.
Complete The Meal
Sides
Olive Garden Breadsticks
2 hrs 27 mins
Buffalo Wings
25 mins
Fried Zucchini
25 mins
Antipasto Salad
15 mins
Desserts
Jello Cheesecake
6 hrs 30 mins
Pizookie Recipe
23 mins
Homemade Brownie Recipe
45 mins
Italian Cookies
1 hr 20 mins
Pizza Recipes
Collections
This recipe was originally published August 2018.
How much of each ingredient do I use? I think you were overly confident of how easy the steps were you forgot to include measurements.
Hi Nick! If you scroll to the bottom of the post (or click the button on top that says “Jump to Recipe”) the measurements and specific instructions are all there. Here they are again for you too:
3 8 oz. cans tomato sauce
1/4 tsp pepper
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
This sauce recipe sez it makes 2 cups. Is that for all 4 12″ pizzas?
I got a nuther one for U. I have “Fleishmann’s Active Dry Yeast” in packets containing 2 1/4 tsp in ea/. 2 1/4 x 4 = 9 tsps = 3 Tblspns. That seems like a lot. But You’ve made this several times & I trust you. But will my yeast work like your recomended “Rapid Rise Yeast”?? I better wait for your answer afore I go any further w/ this.
How much of your homemade “Pizza Seasoning Recipe” would you put into “Pizza Sauce” recipe instead of the individual seasonings? I’m guessing 2t. Thanks
Yeah, I’d say 1-2 Tbsp. Maybe start with less and then try it and keep adding until your preferred taste!
Can’t wait to try this recipe! Is it necessary to simmer the sauce? What is the purpose? Just curious! Thanks!
Simmering helps the sauce to develop more flavor. So I’d definitely recommend simmering. 🙂
Very interested in your pizza sauce recipe. Just wondering if you could freeze this in smaller portions?
Yes, you absolutely can!! We like to spoon the sauce into muffin tins and place in freezer until solid. Take cubes out of muffin tin and place in a freezer container or freezer Ziploc bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Then when ready to use, thaw overnight and microwave in bursts or melt in a small pot until sauce is smooth.
Thank you for this simple, yet DELICIOUS pizza sauce! I used this sauce to make my first homemade “Detroit Style” pizza. It turned out fantastic! I made my own pizza crust, used fresh mozzarella, fresh asiago, and fresh provolone cheeses and YOUR sauce – all together it was PERFECTION! Everyone needs to try this pizza sauce.
Oh you are so welcome! This makes me so happy to hear you made your first pizza. It sounds amazing! Glad the pizza sauce could add to the pizza too. Thanks for giving the recipe a try!
Love this sauce and it is so easy and delish!
I am so glad you do! Thank you for letting me know!
Homemade sauce on homemade dough is a must! Most ingredients are already on hand! Love our new addition to pizza night!
The spice mIx and sauce recipes have several common ingredients. How do you recommend using them in combination.
If I were using a store bought sauce, I probably wouldn’t need to use the spices in the recipe. I might add a little more garlic & top with more basil, but really it’s a personal preference. You can add more of whatever you like.
Absolutely delicious!
I am so glad you think so! Thank you!
A simple sauce that goes great on your homemade pizza. Easy and delicious!
I always just buy sayce from the grocery stote, but this recipe was easy and i had all the iNgredients On hand. Thanks for Posting.
Homemade Pizza Sauce is so much better than store bought! I absolutely LOVE the flavor of this recipe!
Sounds like a delicious sauce!! Love making my own, so I am excited to give this one a try. We love making pizzas!
My family loves making homemade pizza. I try to keep ingredients on hand & will definitely use this pizza sauce again! It was super easy to make & so flavorful!
VERY TASTY.
I agree!! I am glad you think so! Thank you!
Does it freeze well?
Yes!! I like to spoon the sauce into muffin tins and place it in the freezer until solid. Take the cubes out of the muffin tin and place them in a freezer container or freezer Ziploc bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Then to use, just thaw overnight and microwave in bursts or you can melt in a small pot until sauce is smooth.
very nice 🙂 would love to try this at home
I hope you do 🙂 I’d love to know what you think!
Such a nice recipe. I love to eat pizza, it is my all time favorite. Whenever I go out with my friends we all love to eat pizza. I have tried it at home but that was not so delicious and yummy.
We love eating pizza too!! I hope you like this recipe!
I hope it was a hit!!