Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe (5 Minutes) (2024)

By Laura

Posted Sep 23, 2018, Updated Jan 28, 2024

4.99 from 1327 votes

780 Comments

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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!

Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe (5 Minutes) (2)

We love makingpizza 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 tastedjust like tomatoes” was his personal opinion. He likes his pizza saucy, bold and flavorful andthat particular pie just didn’t cut it. Moral of the story: there’s no weak sauce allowed in our household. And thisEasy Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe ensures that!

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Pizza Sauce Recipe: Substitutions

Here are a few possible substitutions that can be made in this recipe.

Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe (5 Minutes) (4)
  • 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.

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How to Make Pizza Sauce

This homemade pizza sauce recipe is easy to make in 5 minutes. You can also prepare itahead 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.

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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.

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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 Dough 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!

Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe (5 Minutes) (8)

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.

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Pizza Sauce Recipe FAQs

How many pizzas can I make with this pizza sauce recipe?

This recipe makes enough sauce to make two large pizzas, or four medium-sized pizza.

Can I double this recipe?

This easy pizza sauce recipe iseasily doubled or tripled.

What is the difference between Pizza Sauce and Spaghetti Sauce?

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!

Should homemade pizza sauce be cooked?

This recipe is for a no-cook pizza sauce so it does not need to be cooked.

Can I use ketchup as pizza sauce?

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.

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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 your creations!

Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe (5 Minutes) (11)

Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe (5 Minutes) (12)

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Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe

Laura

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!

4.99 from 1327 votes

Course condiment, Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine American, Italian

Servings 24 Servings

Calories 23.3

Prep Time5 minutes minutes

Total Time5 minutes minutes

Ingredients

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

*sugar can be omitted and it will still taste great. Or use honey.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • 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.

Tip: use a red spatula

If you’d like to prevent turning your white or light colored spatulas orange, I suggest using a red spatula or a stainless steel spoon to make this recipe.

This red spatula is my favorite! I use it foreverything,especially making red-colored foods like this homemade pizza sauce.

How to Store Pizza 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!

Spread this sauce onto the best pizza dough recipe!

Nutrition

Serving: 2TBS | Calories: 23.3kcal | Carbohydrates: 5.4g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.2g | Sodium: 479.1mg | Potassium: 237.8mg | Fiber: 1.2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 330IU | Vitamin C: 7.1mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 0.9mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

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Easy Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe

How to Make Pizza (Pizza Recipe)

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BBQ Chicken Pizza

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Burrata Salad

Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe (5 Minutes) (19)
Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe (5 Minutes) (2024)

FAQs

What can I use if I don't have pizza sauce? ›

5 Pizza Sauce Alternatives
  • Other tomato-based sauces. Traditional pizza sauce is made using canned tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, onion, and herbs like basil and oregano but there are so many other tomato sauce options that offer different flavour profiles. ...
  • Pesto. ...
  • Alfredo. ...
  • Tapenade. ...
  • Extra-Virgin Olive Oil.

How to make pizza sauce out of jar spaghetti sauce? ›

If you don't have tomato paste on hand, you can use pasta sauce on pizza by following these steps: Strain the pasta sauce to remove excess liquid. Add the pasta sauce to a food processor or blender and pulse until smooth. Add your desired seasoning and salt to taste.

Can you use ketchup for pizza sauce? ›

Ketchup is best utilized as a substitute in recipes that already have some sweetness. In most cases, start with a ½:1 swap and add more American Garden's ketchup as needed to adjust the flavor. Do you crave pizza but don't have any pizza sauce? Don't worry, you can get great results using American Garden's ketchup.

What are 5 sauce options for pizza? ›

Beyond Tomato: Different Types of Pizza Sauces to Try
  • Pesto Sauce. Pesto sauce differs from tomato sauce on your pizza, adding a delicious herby and nutty taste. ...
  • Alfredo or White Sauce. ...
  • Garlic and Oil Sauce. ...
  • Romesco Sauce. ...
  • Buffalo Sauce. ...
  • Barbecue Sauce. ...
  • Spicy Red Sauce.
Dec 21, 2023

Can you use regular tomato sauce as pizza sauce? ›

It has flavor. If what you are making calls for pizza sauce and you only have tomato sauce then you would need to add some oregano and Italian seasoning and such and simmer it for a few minutes to get flavor into it. You have to add flavor and cook it first.

Can you use Prego sauce as pizza sauce? ›

Each quarter cup serving provides 20 percent of your daily vegetables, giving you a sauce that's as nutritious as it is tasty. Just spread Prego sauce over your favorite pizza crust and add toppings for a quick, family-pleasing meal.

How do I turn marinara sauce into pizza sauce? ›

By enhancing it with a few extra ingredients, you can customize the flavor to suit your preferences. In a small saucepan, heat the marinara sauce over medium heat. As it warms, add the minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, onion powder, and red pepper flakes, if desired.

What is the best sauce to put on pizza? ›

Below are some of the best options you should try.
  • Mayonnaise. This is one of the most loved pizza dips that are sure to pamper each and every taste buds of the person tasting it. ...
  • Tomato Ketchup. Tomato ketchup is one of the most common sauces that are used to boost up the taste of a pie. ...
  • Barbecue Sauce. ...
  • Honey. ...
  • Garlic Paste.

What is a pizza that does not use tomato sauce called? ›

If you're not familiar with White pizza, it's a pizza made without tomato or marinara sauce, and topped with white cheeses. It's also called Pizza Bianca. There's a sophisticated, classy feel to it but it's every bit as easy as traditional pizza, and it's completely customizable!

What makes pizza sauce different from tomato sauce? ›

A pizza sauce has a greater thickness to it thanks to the use of undiluted tomato paste. Pizza sauce tends to be somewhat simpler in terms of ingredients. While both feature tomatoes in one form or another, a pizza sauce's add-ins are often limited to things like garlic, oregano, basil, and olive oil.

What is the best cheese to use for homemade pizza? ›

Best cheese for pizza
  • Mozzarella. Perhaps the most well-known and popular pizza topping of all-time, Mozzarella is cherished for its near perfect consistency and straightforward flavour. ...
  • Cheddar/Matured Cheddar. ...
  • Aged Havarti. ...
  • Gorgonzola. ...
  • Provolone. ...
  • Goat cheese. ...
  • Pecorino-Romano. ...
  • The ultimate cheese pizza.

What is Dominos pizza sauce? ›

The traditional pizza sauce for most Domino's pizza restaurant pies is the Robust Inspired pizza sauce, a thick, zesty flavor redolent with garlic and other special spices. If you prefer less spicy sauces, opt for the Hearty Marinara sauce.

What cheese is commonly used on pizza? ›

Globally, Mozzarella is the most popular pizza cheese. However, it has been estimated that in the United States only 30% of all pizza cheese used is actual Mozzarella. Provolone is the second most popular one. Cheddar may be mixed with Mozzarella to preserve chewiness.

Is pizza good without pizza sauce? ›

While I'll never turn down a classic red sauce pizza moment, I love developing homemade pizza recipes without tomato sauces, because a whole new world of flavor options opens up. There's no bland pizza pies around here— I promise.

How do I substitute pizza sauce for pasta sauce? ›

To turn your pizza sauce into pasta sauce, do the following:
  1. Take your jarred pizza sauce and bring it to a stovetop.
  2. Before turning on the heat, add some pasta water from the boiled pasta.
  3. Add a pinch of sugar and salt until you find the correct balance.
Sep 27, 2021

Is ketchup and pizza sauce the same? ›

Sugar: The Key Difference Between the Two

Tomato sauce is often made with only tomatoes, seasonings, onion, garlic, oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Ketchup, on the other hand, typically has additional sugar, which contributes to its sweeter flavour.

What can I use instead of marinara sauce for pizza? ›

Table Of Contents show
  1. 3.1 Fresh Tomatoes.
  2. 3.2 Pizza Sauce.
  3. 3.3 Tomato Juice.
  4. 3.4 Tomato Ketchup.
  5. 3.5 Tomato Paste.
  6. 3.6 Tomato Salsa.
  7. 3.7 Pureed Tomatoes.
  8. 3.8 Tomato Soup.
Oct 18, 2022

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