Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe (5 Minutes) (2025)

By Laura

Posted Sep 23, 2018, Updated Jan 28, 2024

4.99 from 1353 votes

791 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.

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  • 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!

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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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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 1353 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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FAQs

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

What can I use Instead of Pizza Sauce?
  • From Bechamel to Crème Fraîche. A creamy base can be an indulgent alternative to the classic tomato sauce. ...
  • BBQ Sauce and Pesto. ...
  • Vegetable Purees. ...
  • Cheese Sauces and Rarebits. ...
  • Oil, Butter and Herb Options. ...
  • Final thoughts.

What is the difference between tomato sauce and pizza sauce? ›

Tomato sauce is similar to pizza sauce, but they are not the same. The main difference between tomato sauce for pasta and pizza sauce is that pasta sauce is cooked in the preparation of the sauce and pizza sauce is an uncooked tomato sauce that cooks along with the pizza.

Can I use ketchup as my pizza sauce? ›

When you use the pizza that focuses on the tomato sauce the most, such as Margherita pizza, it's obvious that ketchup's taste will be off-putting. However, ketchup will work fine if you're using it for pizza doused in different toppings.

What can I use instead of sauce? ›

7 Substitutes for Tomato Sauce If You Run Out of the Pantry Staple
  • Canned Tomatoes.
  • Fresh Tomatoes.
  • Tomato Paste.
  • Tomato Soup.
  • Ketchup.
  • Tomato Purée.
  • Sun-Dried Tomatoes.
Apr 27, 2024

Does spaghetti sauce make good pizza sauce? ›

You are not alone when you ask "can i use pasta sauce for pizza?" Using pasta sauce as a pizza sauce is an increasingly popular trend among homemade pizza lovers. It is a great way to add some variety to your pizza and make it more flavorful.

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.

Can I use ragu as pizza sauce? ›

Ragu Homemade Style Pizza Sauce is excellent! It's got the natural flavorings I like without the chunks and without added sugar. It's the best tasting pizza sauce I have ever had.

What sauce is close to pizza sauce? ›

Béchamel – An integral part of many Italian dishes, béchamel also works well as a pizza sauce. Known colloquially as 'white sauce', béchamel combines butter, flour, milk and seasoning – any additional flavor you'd like to add. Some popular options include garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest and fennel.

What gives pizza sauce its distinctive flavor? ›

Seasoned liberally with herbs like oregano and basil, the sauce becomes a lively dance of flavors, each herb lending its distinctive note to the symphony. The preparation of pizza sauce is a delicate balance, aiming to preserve the raw, tangy profile of the tomatoes while integrating the aromatic herbs.

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

Mozzarella cheese is the most popular choice for pizzas around the world. It melts perfectly and has a pleasant taste. Mozzarella's mild flavor mixes well with the other toppings, making every bite delicious. It's truly the best cheese for pizza.

Can we use normal sauce instead of pizza sauce? ›

If you have a sensitivity to the spices in pizza sauce you might use ketchup or just blend up some tomatoes or even use a white sauce instead. Normally, one would not want to use ketchup instead of pizza sauce if they are in a pinch and don't have pizza sauce. I'd just go to the store and buy the pizza sauce.

Is pizza good without pizza sauce? ›

Whether out of preference or necessity, a tomato base on a pizza isn't for everyone. Good news, you can still enjoy indulgent, satisfying pizzas without it!

Can tomato paste substitute for pizza sauce? ›

Pizza sauce couldn't be easier or faster to make at home: To make pizza sauce from tomato paste, combine tomato paste with water, olive oil, and a few seasonings. This makes a delicious red sauce for your pizza, pasta, or breadsticks—no cooking required!

What is pizza without sauce called? ›

White pizza or white pie is a style of pizza that does not use tomato sauce. The pizza generally consists of pizza dough, olive oil, garlic, cheese, salt and, sometimes, toppings including vegetables such as spinach, tomato, and herbs.

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