When I make homemade pizza, I want a sauce that tastes fresh and flavorful. This easy, no-cook homemade pizza sauce with tomato paste takes just six ingredients, and comes together in minutes.
The secret ingredient is tomato paste, which adds a rich, slow-cooked tomato flavor and gives the sauce the thicker consistency that works so well on pizza. I love that I can stir the ingredients together while the oven heats up, and have the best homemade pizza sauce ready to spread on the dough.
This sauce is so tasty paired with my simple New York pizza dough recipe, as well as my slightly-more-complicated-but-oh-so-worth-it Poolish pizza dough. Be sure to check out these 75+ best toppings for homemade pizza, too!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There are a few things that make this (in my humble opinion) the best pizza sauce recipe:
- You can make it ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator or freezer.
- It requires only six simple ingredients.
- There’s no cooking or simmering.
- You can make it in just a few minutes.
- The tomato paste adds concentrated tomato flavor.
- It has a thick consistency that works well on pizza dough.
The no-cook method also keeps the flavor of the tomatoes fresh and bright. Since the sauce will cook on the pizza, there’s no need to simmer it first.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Here’s a photo of the exact ingredients you’ll need to make this easy homemade pizza sauce recipe:
Tomato Sauce – My first choice is sauce or puree made from San Marzano tomatoes, because they have the most pure tomato flavor. The Cento brand of canned tomato sauce, shown above, is lower in sodium than many brands, and made from vine-ripened tomatoes.
The flavor of the finished pizza sauce will depend largely on the quality of tomato sauce, so choose a brand you enjoy.
Tomato Paste – This is the ingredient that gives the sauce its rich tomato flavor and thicker texture. For the most control over the flavor, I recommend using regular tomato paste rather than a seasoned tomato paste.
Fresh Garlic – A generous portion of fresh garlic gives this sauce plenty of zip, and the sharp flavor mellows as the pizza bakes in the hot oven.
Dried Oregano – Oregano gives the sauce the familiar flavor we associate with pizza. I usually use dried oregano because it is convenient and has a concentrated flavor. You can also use fresh oregano; just increase the quantity to 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano instead of 1 teaspoon dried oregano.
Sea Salt and Black Pepper– These simple seasonings bring all the flavors together. Since the saltiness of canned tomatoes and tomato paste can vary by brand, taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed. Freshly ground black pepper adds the best flavor.
Step by Step Instructions
STEP ONE: In a medium bowl, mix together the tomato puree and tomato paste until smooth.
STEP TWO: Stir in the oregano, garlic, paprika, salt and pepper.
STEP THREE: Mix well to combine. That’s it! This recipe makes about 2 2/3 cups of sauce, or enough for 2 large pizzas.
How Much Sauce Do You Need to Make a Pizza?
The amount of sauce you need depends on the size and thickness of your pizza crust. For a large homemade pizza, I usually use about 1 to 1 1/4 cups of sauce.
As a general rule, use enough sauce to cover the dough in a thin, even layer. It’s better to start with a little less and add more if needed. Too much sauce can make the center of the pizza soggy.
Ways to Use Pizza Sauce
This sauce is wonderful as a dipping sauce for breadsticks, and for making recipes like these:
- Homemade Stromboli
- English muffin pizzas
- French bread pizza
- Pizza pot pies
- Pepperoni pizza burgers
- Personal tortilla pizzas
Recipe Variations
This simple pizza sauce is easy to customize. For a slightly smoky flavor, add a pinch of paprika or smoked paprika.
You can also substitute Italian seasoning for the oregano if that’s what you have in your pantry. Since Italian seasoning typically includes oregano along with herbs like basil, thyme, and rosemary, it gives the sauce a slightly more complex herb flavor.
Low Acid Pizza Sauce
To help counteract the natural acidity of the tomatoes, you can add 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda to the full sauce recipe. It will slightly soften the flavor and offset some of the acid.
How to Store Leftovers
Store leftover pizza sauce in a clean, airtight container in the refrigerator. I like to use a glass jar or a container with a tight-fitting lid.
For the best quality, use refrigerated homemade pizza sauce within about 5 days. Give it a good stir before using.
Can You Freeze Pizza Sauce?
Yes, this pizza sauce freezes well. For the easiest storage, freeze it in the amount you will need for one pizza night. Small freezer containers, freezer bags, or silicone freezer trays all work well.
If you use a freezer bag, lay it flat while freezing so it takes up less room in the freezer. Be sure to leave a little space in a rigid container because the sauce may expand as it freezes. For the best quality, use frozen pizza sauce within about 3 months.
Thaw the sauce overnight in the refrigerator. You can also thaw a small portion in the refrigerator during the day if you are planning to make pizza that evening. The ingredients may separate slightly after freezing, so stir the sauce well before using it.
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Printable Recipe Card
Homemade Pizza Sauce
Equipment
- medium bowl
- Garlic press
Ingredients
- 2 cups tomato puree, or 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon ground dried oregano
- 3 cloves fresh garlic minced
- sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix together the tomato puree and tomato paste until smooth.
- Stir in the oregano, garlic, paprika, salt and pepper.
- Makes about 2 2/3 cups of sauce, or enough for 2 large pizzas.
Notes
Nutrition
Got questions? Just ask! I’m happy to help.
If you post your creations on social media, tag #HappySimpleLiving so I can share! Thank you for your support. – Eliza
Nutrition Disclaimer: All nutritional information shared on this site is an approximation. I am not a certified nutritionist, and any nutritional information should be used as a general guideline.
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Eliza Cross is the creator of Happy Simple Living, where she shares ideas to help busy people simplify cooking, gardening, holidays, home, and money. She is also the award-winning author of 17 cookbooks, including Small Bites and 101 Things To Do With Bacon.
