Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce
Welcome to your new go-to recipe for Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce! Imagine a sauce so simple yet packed with vibrant, fresh flavors that it elevates any pizza to a pizzeria-worthy masterpiece. With just a handful of ingredients and a few minutes of your time, you can create a rich, tangy sauce that will make your homemade pizza the star of the dinner table. Say goodbye to store-bought sauces and hello to the ultimate pizza experience, right from your kitchen!
INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED:
- 2 Tbsp Olive Oil: A light, flavorful oil used to sauté vegetables, adding a rich base to the sauce.
- 2 Tbsp Butter: Adds a creamy richness and depth of flavor to the sauce.
- 1 Onion (small, minced): Finely minced onion provides a sweet and savory foundation for the sauce.
- 2 Tsp Garlic (minced): Freshly minced garlic enhances the sauce with a robust and aromatic kick.
- 1/2 Cup Celery (minced): Adds a subtle crunch and earthy flavor to the sauce, complementing the other ingredients.
- 1 (8oz) Can Tomato Sauce: Forms the base of the sauce, offering a smooth and tangy tomato flavor.
- 1 (6oz) Can Tomato Paste: Provides a concentrated tomato flavor and thickens the sauce.
- 8oz Water: Used to adjust the sauce’s consistency, making it just the right thickness.
- 2 Tbsp Parmesan Cheese: Adds a savory, cheesy depth to the sauce, enhancing its overall flavor.
- 1 Tsp Dried Basil: Imparts a classic Italian herb flavor, contributing to the sauce’s aromatic profile.
- 1 Tsp Dried Oregano: Provides a warm, earthy flavor that complements the basil and other ingredients.
- 1 Bay Leaf: Infuses the sauce with a subtle, herbal flavor that deepens the taste.
- 1/2 Tsp Fennel Seeds (secret ingredient): Adds a hint of sweetness and a unique, slightly anise-like flavor that makes the sauce special.
- Salt and Pepper (to taste): Essential seasonings to enhance and balance the flavors of the sauce.
HOW TO MAKE PIZZA SAUCE FROM SCRATCH?
Time needed: 40 minutes
- Heat the Base:
In a large skillet or saucepan, heat 2 Tbsp olive oil and 2 Tbsp butter over medium heat until the butter is melted and the oil is hot. - Sauté the Vegetables:
Add the 1 minced small onion and 1/2 cup minced celery to the skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft and the onion is translucent. Stir in 2 tsp minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Season the Sauce:
Add 1 bay leaf, 1 tsp dried basil, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1/2 tsp fennel seeds. Stir to combine all the flavors. - Add the Tomato Components:
Stir in 1 (8oz) can tomato sauce and 1 (6oz) can tomato paste. Mix well to combine with the vegetables. - Adjust the Consistency and Simmer:
Gradually add 8oz water to the sauce, stirring continuously until you reach your desired consistency.
Simmer: Bring the sauce to a simmer on low heat, covered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken. - Finish the Sauce and Season:
Remove the bay leaf. Stir in 2 Tbsp Parmesan cheese until melted and well incorporated into the sauce.
Taste the sauce and add salt and pepper to your liking. Adjust any other seasonings if needed. - Cool and Store:
Let the sauce cool before using it on your pizza. Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or freeze for longer storage.
Enjoy your homemade pizza sauce on your favorite pizza crust!
To learn how to make awesome pizza dough check out my “How to make Homemade Pizza?” in this post, I go into step-by-step detail on how to make the perfect homemade pizza.
FAQ – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
If the sauce is too thick, simply stir in more water until it reaches your desired consistency.
Absolutely! Homemade pizza sauce can be made ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze it for up to 3 months.
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce while it simmers. Adjust to your desired level of heat.
Yes, you can omit the fennel seeds if you don’t have them. This ingredient is highly recommended and adds a unique flavor, but the sauce will still be delicious without it.
For a 12-inch pizza, use about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of sauce. This will cover the dough well without too much sauce. If you like more sauce, you can go up to 1 cup. For smaller pizzas, adjust the amount based on their size. Just spread the sauce evenly, leaving a little space around the edges for the crust.
PIZZA SAUCE RECIPE ADD-INS AND VARIATIONS:
- Fresh Tomatoes: Use fresh tomatoes instead of canned. Blanch, peel, and chop about 4 cups of fresh tomatoes to replace the canned sauce and paste.
- Garlic Powder: Swap minced garlic for garlic powder if needed. Use about 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.
- Different Cheeses: Replace Parmesan with other cheeses like Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano. You can also use nutritional yeast for a dairy-free option.
- Extra Herbs and Spices: Add extra herbs or spices like thyme, rosemary, or red pepper flakes to customize the flavor.
- Low-Sodium Options: Use low-sodium tomato sauce and paste to cut down on salt.
- Sweetener: Add a teaspoon of sugar or honey if you like a slightly sweeter sauce.
- Red Wine or Balsamic Vinegar: For a deeper flavor, add a splash of red wine or balsamic vinegar while cooking.
- Vegetable Add-ins: Mix in finely chopped veggies like bell peppers or mushrooms for extra texture and nutrition. Sauté them with the onions and celery.
CAN YOU FREEZE HOMEMADE PIZZA SAUCE?
Yes, you can definitely freeze homemade pizza sauce! I often make a double batch and freeze half so I’m always ready for those unexpected “We want pizza!” moments from the kids. Once the sauce has cooled, transfer it into zip-lock bags and flatten them before freezing. This way, the bags stack easily and save space. You can store the sauce in the refrigerator for up to a week, and it will stay good in the freezer for about 3 months. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight before using, and give it a quick stir to refresh the texture.
LOOKING FOR MORE PIZZA RECIPES? TRY THESE!
Homemade Pizza Crust (Step by Step): This easy homemade pizza dough is crispy and chewy with great flavors, and it makes the perfect foundation for all your favorite pizza toppings!
Easy Instant Pot Pepperoni Pizza Casserole with Pasta Recipe: Imagine tender pasta enveloped in a luscious tomato sauce, adorned with the bold kick of pepperoni slices, and generously smothered in gooey melted cheese.
Pizza Tortellini Pizza Skillet: This one-pan dish mixes tender cheese tortellini with all the best pizza toppings like sausage, gooey mozzarella, and colorful bell peppers in a rich marinara sauce.
Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 2 Tbsp Butter
- 1 Onion (small)(minced)
- 2 Tsp Garlic (minced)
- 1/2 Cup Celery (minced)
- 1 (8oz) Tomato Sauce
- 1 (6oz) Tomato Paste
- 8oz Water
- 1 Bay Leaf
- 1 Tsp Dried Basil
- 1 Tsp Dried Oregano
- 1/2 Tsp Fennel Seeds (secret ingredient)
- 2 Tbsp Parmesan Cheese
- Salt and Pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Heat the Base: In a large skillet or saucepan, heat 2 Tbsp olive oil and 2 Tbsp butter over medium heat until the butter is melted and the oil is hot.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Add the 1 minced small onion and 1/2 cup minced celery to the skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft and the onion is translucent. Stir in 2 tsp minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Season the Sauce: Add 1 bay leaf, 1 tsp dried basil, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1/2 tsp fennel seeds. Stir to combine all the flavors.
- Add the Tomato Components: Stir in 1 (8oz) can tomato sauce and 1 (6oz) can tomato paste. Mix well to combine with the vegetables.
- Adjust the Consistency: Gradually add 8oz water to the sauce, stirring continuously until you reach your desired consistency.
- Simmer: Bring the sauce to a simmer on low heat covered, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken.
- Finish the Sauce: Remove the bay leaf. Stir in 2 Tbsp Parmesan cheese until melted and well incorporated into the sauce.
- Season to Taste: Taste the sauce and add salt and pepper to your liking. Adjust any other seasonings if needed.
- Cool and Store: Let the sauce cool before using it on your pizza. Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or freeze for longer storage.
- Enjoy your homemade pizza sauce on your favorite pizza crust! 🍕