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Homemade Pizza Sauce (5-Minute Recipe)

Meet your new favorite red pizza sauce! The secret is out and this is how the pros make red sauce for pizza. It’s ridiculously easy and since there is no cooking required, this red sauce has beautiful tomato flavor similar to what you’d enjoy in a fancy Italian pizzeria!

P.S. We love this on homemade Pizza Dough, but it doubles as a great dip for breadsticks or pizza crust.

Homemade Red Sauce for Pizza in mason jar

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Why this is the BEST Pizza Sauce:

Pizza sauce made from scratch is so much better than store-bought pizza sauces. Pre-cooked and canned sauces tend to dry out on a pizza and the true flavor of the tomatoes becomes dull, while this uncooked sauce keeps it’s vibrant tomato flavor and color.

Authentic pizza sauce is not cooked until it is put into the oven on pizza. I learned how to make the best red sauce from the pizza masters at Bon Appetit and Baking Steal.

Red Pizza Sauce on homemade pizza crust

Ingredients for Homemade Pizza Sauce:

Start with your favorite crushed tomatoes. We love Italian San Marzano tomatoes and a single 28 oz can is all you need to make about 3 cups of tomato sauce. Simple flavorings are all you need: garlic, extra virgin olive oil, fine sea salt, and dried oregano.

You might be tempted to add more than 1/2 Tbsp salt but after the flavors meld, the sauce will be perfect. Also, remember your toppings (like cheese) will also add saltiness to your pizza.

Ingredients for making pizza sauce with crushed tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, salt and oregano.

How to Make Pizza Sauce:

To make this easy tomato sauce for pizza, all you need is a blender or food processor and there is no cooking required – seriously!

  1. Pulse together all of the ingredients until blended and well-combined.
  2. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or up to 7 days before using. It’s best the next day.

Blending pizza sauce ingredients in a blender

How to Store Pizza Sauce:

We love this red sauce because it is a make-ahead recipe. It keeps really well for at least a week in the refrigerator and just gets better with time as the flavors meld together. We love it best the next day which is perfect with our overnight pizza dough.

  • TO REFRIGERATE: Pour sauce into a mason jar or airtight storage container, cover tightly and refrigerate for 1 to 2 weeks.
  • TO FREEZE: You can also freeze pizza sauce by portioning into freezer-safe zip bags, remove any extra air and seal. Lay flat in the freezer and it will be quicker to thaw. You can also freeze pizza dough for an easy pizza night when the craving hits.

Red sauce for pizza on a spoon over a mason jar

P.S. If you prefer a white sauce for pizza, make sure to try our homemade garlic-parmesan White Pizza Sauce. It is our children’s favorite and the one they always request for homemade pizza.

Get the Print-friendly Recipe for Red Pizza Sauce below: 

Homemade Pizza Sauce (5-Minute Recipe)

4.98 from 204 votes
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
Homemade Red Sauce for Pizza in mason jar
This is how the pros make pizza sauce. It's easy with no cooking required. This red sauce has rich tomato flavor. It's also perfect as a dip for breadsticks or pizza crust.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 12 (Makes 3 cups of pizza sauce)

Instructions

  • Combine all of your ingredients in the bowl of a food processor or blender and pulse together until well combined and blended.
  • You can use the sauce to make pizza right away, but for best results, cover and refrigerate for the flavors to meld at least 3 hours or store in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 weeks.

Nutrition Per Serving

32kcal Calories5g Carbs1g Protein1g Fat1g Saturated Fat378mg Sodium194mg Potassium1g Fiber3g Sugar142IU Vitamin A6mg Vitamin C23mg Calcium1mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Homemade Pizza Sauce (5-Minute Recipe)
Amount per Serving
Calories
32
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
1
g
2
%
Saturated Fat
 
1
g
6
%
Sodium
 
378
mg
16
%
Potassium
 
194
mg
6
%
Carbohydrates
 
5
g
2
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
3
g
3
%
Protein
 
1
g
2
%
Vitamin A
 
142
IU
3
%
Vitamin C
 
6
mg
7
%
Calcium
 
23
mg
2
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Condiments, Sauce
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: pizza sauce, red sauce for pizza
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $
Calories: 32
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

Our Best-Ever Homemade Condiments:

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Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the creator behind Natasha's Kitchen (established in 2009), and I share family-friendly, authentic recipes. I am a New York Times Best-Selling cookbook author and a trusted video personality in the culinary world. My husband, Vadim, and I run this blog together, ensuring every recipe we share is thoroughly tested and approved. Our mission is to provide you with delicious, reliable recipes you can count on. Thanks for stopping by! I am so happy you are here.

Read more posts by Natasha

4.98 from 204 votes (162 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Barbara Echevarria
    November 6, 2024

    This is now my favorite sauce for pasta. I don’t put it in a blender but put all ingredients in a saucepan and heat through, adding ground beef or Italian sausage for a meat sauce. Quick, easy and delicious!

    Reply

  • Mark David Loveland
    October 2, 2024

    Calendar Date Wednesday, October 2nd, ( 2024 )
    Dear Culinarian Natasha:
    With both my Baking Steel as well as Pizza Dough Formula sourced from BaKing Steel,all with your complementary Tommy Pizza Sauce, we are in the running.
    Thank you, Natasha, very very much.
    Best, Your Avid Fan Club

    Reply

  • Paulette clayton
    September 29, 2024

    I have been making pizza sauce like this for years, but drain the liquid thru a strainer , just let it drip, and then there’s less liquid on the crust and sweeter flavor.

    Reply

  • Kelly Cosgrove
    September 27, 2024

    Can you use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      September 27, 2024

      Hi Kelly. You can use fresh tomatoes, but you would have to make your own crushed tomatoes which you can then use in the sauce. You can look up the process online, it’s quite easy.
      One of my readers also left this comment, “ I made this sauce today using fresh tomatoes. I also added a 2 tbsp of tomato paste to thicken it up and 1 tsp of sugar I like my sauce with sweetness flavor.”
      I hope that helps.

      Reply

  • Kim Bradley
    September 23, 2024

    Hi, I really wanted to make this sauce tonight but I only have Olive Oil…can you use regular Olive Oil and if so how much would I use?

    Cannot wait to make the white sauce as well!!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      September 24, 2024

      Hi Kim! You can use it in the same amount. I hope you love this recipe and the white sauce too!

      Reply

  • Carla
    September 19, 2024

    Super easy and surprisingly delicious! Thank you Natasha!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 19, 2024

      You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Carla!

      Reply

  • Jane becca
    September 10, 2024

    It’s awesome! Thought I would have ro go to the store to bye pizza sauce, but then this recipe just popped up and saved the day! Its so delicious!

    Reply

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