Looking for a quick and easy homemade pizza sauce recipe that tastes even better than your local pizzeria’s? This pizza sauce from scratch is just that!
The BEST Pizza Sauce From Scratch
Over the years we’ve discovered that not all pizza sauce is created equal. There are definitely a few brands whose sauce I just don’t love, and we aren’t just talking pizza delivery, but store-bought as well. They just aren’t right. We wanted to find an easy-to-make homemade pizza sauce recipe that still tasted amazing even if it didn’t simmer on the stove for three days and have ingredients that were shipped from Italy.
Guess what? We found it. A homemade, quick and easy pizza sauce recipe you’ll fall in love with.
We love this homemade pizza sauce recipe because we can use it right away if we’re in a hurry and it only takes 5 minutes to make. But if we have time, we let it simmer for a couple of hours and the flavor just gets better and better.
Oh my goodness, and the smell. It is intoxicating. Cade walked in and came crawling into the kitchen begging to know what smelled so amazing. I love when he does that.
And the best part is he actually finished the sauce and made it amazing with his secret ingredient, cheese. I swear, dairy makes the world go round. If ever in doubt, add a little cheese, right? A little Parmesan made all the difference in this pizza sauce from scratch, and now I’ll never have a store-bought pizza sauce again!
We’ve been practicing and practicing to find our perfect homemade pizza sauce recipe, so let’s get into how to make it.
Homemade Pizza Sauce Ingredients
This pizza sauce from tomato paste and tomato sauce requires primarily pantry staples. Here’s what I used in this pizza sauce recipe:
- Olive oil
- Butter
- Garlic
- Onion powder
- Red pepper flakes
- Fresh basil and oregano
- Tomato sauce
- Tomato paste
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Brown sugar
- Water
- Salt and pepper
How to Make Pizza Sauce From Scratch
It all starts out with blooming your spices. Start with a little oil in a dutch oven or pot. Adding your garlic and spices straight to the oil and butter brings them into contact with the heat, which opens up their flavor even more.
Then it’s just a matter of dumping in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar, cheese, and water. Water helps to mellow out the tomato sauce a bit. Obviously, fresh tomato sauce or paste would be best, but I’m a mom and don’t have time to always make fresh everything.
Bring the pizza sauce to a light boil and use immediately, or let it simmer for 1 to 2 hours to let the flavors really develop.
read more: Want to switch up your pizza recipe? Try using our Simple Pesto Recipe instead of red sauce!
How Long Does Pizza Sauce Last?
Tomato-based sauces are only good for 5 days to a week. Don’t wait for the mold to form. In many cases, you won’t see the mold in the pizza sauce after five days, but it actually could be there.
Can You Freeze Pizza Sauce?
Yes, we like to make a big batch of homemade pizza sauce and often freeze the leftovers. Simply freeze it in an airtight container and it will last for up to 3 months.
Can I Omit the Brown Sugar?
Technically yes, but we recommend leaving in the small amount of brown sugar since it helps balance out the acidity in the tomatoes.
Tips for Making the Best Pizza Sauce
You all know that we prefer to use a 2qt round dutch oven by Le Creuset because that coated cast iron makes for the best pizza sauce every time and it’s the perfect size for this recipe.
Note that this pizza sauce is not spicy like some restaurants do. That’s just not my style. But please feel free to give it a little more oomph if you need it.
You can use fresh or dried herbs in this pizza sauce recipe. Fresh herbs are better if you know you’ll be eating this pizza sauce immediately and don’t have time to let it simmer for an hour.
More Homemade Condiment Recipes You’ll Love:
- Red Enchilada Sauce
- Tomatillo Cilantro Ranch Dressing
- Taco Seasoning
- Classic Pesto
- Burger Sauce
- BBQ Rub
- Authentic Salsa Verde
- Restaurant Style Salsa
- Nacho Cheese Sauce
- BBQ Sauce
- Spaghetti Sauce
- Ham Dipping Sauces
- All CONDIMENT RECIPES!
Other Homemade Pizza Recipes
- Perfect Pepperoni Pizza
- Meatball Lasagna Pizza
- Pepperoni Pizza Pinwheels
- Pepperoni Pizza-Stuffed Crescent Rolls
- Pizza Dip
- Pepperoni Pizza Bagel Bites
- Mexican Corn Grilled Pizza
- Pulled Pork Pizza
- Upside-Down Pizza Casserole
- …All of our Pizza Recipes!
If you need a quick and simple pizza dough recipe, try this 3 ingredient pizza dough from our dear friend at Fueling a Southern Soul!
Homemade Quick and Easy Pizza Sauce
Homemade Pizza Sauce
Description
Ingredients
- 2 Teaspoons Olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon Butter, , optional (or sub more olive oil)
- 4 Cloves Garlic, , minced
- 1 3/4 Teaspoons Onion Powder
- 1/4-1/2 Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
- 1 1/2 Teaspoon Fresh Basil, , chopped (or 3/4 teaspoon Dried)
- 1 Teaspoon Fresh Oregano, , chopped (or 1/2 teaspoon Dried)
- 2 Cans Tomato Sauce, 8oz cans
- 4 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
- 5 Tablespoons Fresh Parmesan Cheese, , grated
- 2 Teaspoons Brown Sugar
- 2/3 Cup Warm Water
- Salt and Pepper , , to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium heat, add the olive oil and butter and heat until almost shimmering.
- Add the garlic, stirring a few times around the pot. Then, quickly add the onion powder, red pepper flakes, basil, and oregano.
- Stir a few times and allow the herbs to bloom.
- Add Parmesan cheese and brown sugar, then quickly dump in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, and water.
- Stir to combine and bring to a light boil.
- Turn the heat down to low, season to taste, and allow to simmer for 1-2 hours for ultimate flavor or use immediately if needed.
Notes
- This sauce can be stored in a sealed mason jar for up to 3 weeks.
Nutrition
Recommended Products
Sha
Try replacing brown sugar with a big squirt of honey.
Sha
I also use a big can of crushed tomatoes only plus bloom all of the spices.(fresh oregano, basil salt) It cooks down and thick in 20-25 minutes on simmer. The best thing about pizza sauce is you can add heat or not, spices to taste. The smell of blooming the spices is wonderful!
Sweet Basil
Thank you so much for the feedback and tips! Now I’m craving pizza!
Sweet Basil
That’s a good idea! Thank you!
Annie
I thought I already had a good pizza sauce recipe, Boy was I wrong. Followed recipe to a T. Wasn’t sure about adding the water thought it would make it runny (wrong). Made my homemade pizza taste so much better. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Sweet Basil
You’ve made my day Annie! Thank you so much!
Logiudice
I used canned diced tomatoes with all their juice, then stick blended everything before simmering. I did not need to add any of the warm water. The parmesan was not to my taste, and I’ll probably cut it to 1 Tbls. The sauce also seemed overly sweet, and while I liked the brown sugar, I’ll cut it in half at least. Future plans aside, this was very tasty.
Sweet Basil
Thank you so much for the feedback!
Kyana
I have just recently been making homemade sauce instead of buying at the store (best decision ever!) I came across this one and noticed brown sugar instead of white sugar. I’m wanting to add more flavour but can’t pin point what I’m missing, so I’m going to give this a try tonight. Do you know what the difference in flavour would be with brown instead of white sugar?
Sweet Basil
Hey Kyana! I’m so excited for you to try this and see if you notice a difference! It just gives the sauce a deeper, more rich flavor. And it makes the color a deep red. I love it! Let us know what you think!
Kenna
I have been making this pizza sauce for a few years now. It beats ANYTHING you get in a restaurant. I usually use pita rounds as the crust, quick and easy. I freeze the sauce in the large size silicone “ice cube” trays. I cube equals one pizza. It gets rave reviews from everyone I have ever served it to.
Sweet Basil
I love to hear this Kenna! Thank you so much for the feedback! And thank you for the tip on freezing it in the silicon trays.
Anthony
If you use a tin of tomato sauce you shouldn’t put the title “from scratch”
Sweet Basil
Hi Anthony! By “from scratch” we mean that you are making your own sauce at home and not just buying pre-made pizza sauce. You can definitely make your own tomato sauce as well to make it totally from fresh ingredients.
Kenna
Anthony, you are being way too picky. This is homemade to me and I bet to 99.99 percent of the people reading about this recipe.. And if you want to get technical, do YOU want to grow your own tomatoes garlic, herbs? Just eat it and enjoy and be thankful that this is a fabulous alternative.
Josh
How much sauce do you end up with? I want to can it but I need to know how many cans I will need.
Sweet Basil
Hey Josh! I don’t know honestly but you can’t can it because it has dairy in it. It freezes really well though. If I had to guess, I would say it makes about 3-4 cups.
Susan
Thank you for this recipe! I have been using it for years. I freeze it in small amounts, so it’s handy whenever I want to use it. It is the best!!
Sweet Basil
Thank you so much for the support Susan! And thank you for the feedback!
Mandy
I’ve been using this sauce for years! We love it!
Sweet Basil
Yay!! Thank you Mandy!
Brad
I was just looking for my sauce recipe, and couldn’t find it…. So…
I went to the web to see what I can find.
one thing I do NOT like about some sauces is there is a sweetness (Sweet and Meat NEVER belong together) that just turns me off, and some have a cinnamon taste of some sort that also throws me off.
the recipe I had was perfect blend of spices with no hint of sweetness or one spice that stood out.
Ima try Yours, but I will eliminate the sugar to start. if it needs it, I can add it later.
Sweet Basil
Let me know what you think Brad!!
Andrea
I have a strange question to ask, but about 3 years ago, I made a homemade pizza sauce recipe and I thought I saved the recipe and this is the only pizza sauce recipe I have saved. My question is I remember in the ingredients, it called for Muir Glen tomato’s in a can and gourmet garden chopped fresh basil herb blend that came in a tube. Could you please tell me if this is the recipe and if it was changed since then? Thank you so much. It was the most delicious sauce and I remember the website said it’s best to let it simmer for 2-2.5 hours. Thank you!
Sweet Basil
Hi Andrea! No that wasn’t this recipe, but it sure sounds good! Try our recipe though and see if you like it!
Rachel
Andrea, I remember this too! This is also my only saved pizza sauce recipe and I distinctively remember the garden gourmet squeeze basil because the only time I’ve ever purchased it was to make pizza sauce.
Sweet Basil
Hi friends! The Muir glen wasn’t in it but the gourmet gardens was changed to fresh or dried basil because the majority of our readers could not find it in their stores. You would use the same as the fresh for measurements if you can find the squeezable. So so happy you like the sauce! Xoxo
Alex
Thanks for this excellent recipe! I’ve been searching for the perfect pizza sauce, and this recipe wins hands down!
I actually blended drained San Marzano tomatoes to make the 16 oz tomato sauce base. I used my favorite kitchen appliance, the Instant Pot, to make the sauce. “Saute” to heat up the butter/oil/spices + to bring the sauce to a boil, and “Slow Cook” to simmer for 2 hours. Absolute perfection!
Sweet Basil
Yessss!! Thank you so much Alex! And thank you for including the tips on cooking this in the Instant Pot! It really is the best pizza sauce ever!
Elma
Canned tomatoes just doesn’t cut it if you’re going to call it the best. You may as well tell people to open a jar of spaghetti sauce.
These cooking blogs are becoming ridiculous.
Sweet Basil
Hi Elma! I’ll have to challenge you to make this sauce and then let us know what you think! It really is so good! Of course you can always make your own tomato sauce and tomato paste from scratch if you want!
Kenna
Scroll on by. Maybe start a blog of your own.
Kate Heilman
This sauce has a wonderful taste — I made it for a pizza I was freezing so I haven’t tasted it on the pizza yet, but I did sample the sauce and it was very flavorful. I skipped the sugar and cheese, but otherwise followed the directions.
Sweet Basil
Yay! I’m glad you like it!
Deanna
Holy guacamole this stuff is a taste body’s dream. We live in a very rural town and there are zero choices for spectacular pizza so I set out to create our own. I’d rather get bored of my really good creation then someone else’s mediocre pie. A million thank yous for sharing this. You’ve saved this midwest family from undue pizza boredom and our Friday night tradition.
Sweet Basil
Hahaha…thank you so much Deanna! And you have made my day! It really is the best pizza sauce ever! So glad you enjoyed it!
Deanna
****Taste bud….not body…*****Apologies
Maryw
I just made a batch, and will be trying it on pizza tonight.
Sweet Basil
How did it turn out!!?
Crystal Hernandez
Thank you for sharing. Defined a favorite in our household.
Sweet Basil
Yay! Thanks for the feedback Crystal!
Ellen
Have been making this recipe for my family’s weekly homemade pizza’s for a few months now…didn’t feel right not to drop a PSA that this recipe really lives up to its name – it’s the best sauce I’ve ever made! So fragrant, flavourful, and easy. Not even a stretch to say its the best part of our pizzas! Thanks again!
Sweet Basil
Thank you so much Ellen! It is a staple in our house!
Lori
I made exactly as written and the family considered it decent sauce. I think next time I’ll follow other reviewers tweaking.
Sweet Basil
Thanks for the feedback Lori!
Beks
Perfect texture, inexpensive and is the best pizza sauce I’ve ever tried.
Sweet Basil
Thank you so much for the feedback!!
Malissa
This is REALLY good pizza sauce! And so easy. I didn’t add any sugar.
Sweet Basil
Thank you for the feedback Malissa!! So glad you enjoyed it!
Sophie Anderson
This pizza sauce is SO easy and SO GOOD! I made keto pizza bowls tonight with this sauce and it is spectacular!
Sweet Basil
Yay!! Love to hear that Sophie! Thank you for taking time to leave us feedback!
Whits@amusebouche
Perfect texture, inexpensive and is the best pizza sauce I’ve ever tried.
Sweet Basil
Yay!! thank you for the feedback!
Becky
That was great! Everyone like the sauce way better than the jar stuff i had been using. Thanks.
Sweet Basil
Yessss! Love to hear this! Thanks Becky!
Mattie
I love, love, LOVE this sauce!! Thank you again for sharing!!!
Sweet Basil
Yay! Thank you so much for taking time to leave a comment!
Devin Sanchez
Can I replace Fresh Parmesan Cheese? I don’t like the taste of it (just a little). I want to make this dish over the weekend
Sweet Basil
It will change the taste and consistency, but you could just omit it.
Angie
This is a delicious sauce, and *very* forgiving. I only had fresh and canned tomatoes, so used them. After only a bit of cooking, it’s ready to go. Thank you!
Sweet Basil
Thank you for the feedback Angie!