This is my favorite quick and easy homemade pizza sauce recipe. It takes less than five minutes to make with no cooking or chopping necessary! Recipe includes a how-to video!
5-Minute Pizza Sauce
The perfect pairing for my homemade pizza dough (possibly my most loved recipe on the whole website), today’s 100% homemade pizza sauce recipe is a weekly staple in my kitchen. I developed this recipe years ago after many reader requests, and since I’ve been sharing so many new pizza recipes lately (like this buffalo chicken pizza and BBQ pizza version), it just made sense to share it again.
My recipe is incredibly easy and fast–it’s almost as simple as opening a jar of store-bought sauce. Flavor-wise, it knocks the store-bought stuff out of the park, and it pairs so well with any pizza (including my sourdough pizza crust!). I can’t wait to hear what you think about it!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Takes literally 5 minutes to make! When I said this recipe was fast, I meant it!
- Robustly flavored thanks to plenty of Italian spices, tomato paste, and a pinch of sugar.
- Bare minimum prep-work: no chopping or cooking required. Literally all you need to do is toss some ingredients together and hit a button!
- Uses simple ingredients, most of which are pantry staples.
And don’t forget, this sauce isn’t just for pizza! It tastes great with calzones, breadsticks, stromboli, pizza bagels, arancini, and even mozzarella sticks!
Ingredients
I wanted to share a recipe that was as simple as possible (while still being robustly flavorful) so we’ll use just 10 ingredients. Most of them are spices/seasonings!
- Canned diced tomatoes. Yes, canned! And yes, I’m a bit defensive about this. I talk more on this below. You can substitute whole canned tomatoes for diced, or you can switch things up and use fire roasted tomatoes for even more flavor (like I do in my award-winning chili recipe!).
- Olive oil. This gives the sauce the proper mellow mouthfeel and adds flavor. Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil.
- Spices. I use dried basil, oregano, black pepper, and crushed red pepper. While fresh herbs could be use instead (and would need to be substituted properly), remember, this is meant to be a quick and easy pizza sauce!
- Garlic. We’ll use fresh garlic here since it’s easy to just toss a whole clove into the food processor. If you’re using pre-minced garlic, I recommend a heaping teaspoon.
- Sugar. A pinch deepens the flavor of the sauce and cuts the acidity from the tomatoes without making the sauce sweet. I use sugar in many of my tomato recipes for this reason, like my cherry tomato sauce.
You’ll also need a food processor or a blender to combine everything. I’ve linked to the one that I own and love in the recipe below. I got it as a wedding gift and use it for everything from pie crust to scones!
SAM’S TIP: Pizza sauce is meant to be a bit thick (more-so than marinara), but if the sauce is too thick for your liking, just add a drizzle more olive oil.
Remember, this is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why. For the full recipe please scroll down to the bottom of the post!
A Note on Using Canned Tomatoes
Now, about those tomatoes…If I seem a little salty or defensive about the fact that I’m using canned tomatoes in the video below, I am 😂
I use canned tomatoes here for the same reasons that I use them in my marinara sauce (and prefer to use them in my homemade salsa and tomato soup). Not only is it easier, but the taste of canned tomatoes is actually typically better, more consistent, and less watery than fresh tomatoes.
Look, if there’s anyone who’s going to tell you to go the extra mile or put in the extra effort when making something at home, it’s going to be me. You’re going to have to just trust me when I say that canned tomatoes are best here. And let me remind you, this is specifically meant to be a fast, easy, no-cook pizza sauce recipe! Canned tomatoes provide the most consistent flavor and texture, and they save time.
How to Make Pizza Sauce
- Add all ingredients to a food processor or blender. There is no need to chop any ingredients before adding them, just toss them in!
- Pulse until smooth. Or if you like your sauce to have some texture, stop pulsing whenever you like.
- Use as desired. It’s that easy! If you don’t plan to use your sauce right away, store it in your fridge until ready to use.
SAM’S TIP: Always do a quick taste test before using your sauce. Different brands of tomatoes may contain different ingredients, you may find you need to add a pinch more salt, or a bit more sugar if the acidic taste is particularly strong.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do not try substituting the canned tomatoes for fresh. You’ll lose a lot of flavor, and the sauce will be quite watery. I talk about this in detail above.
Personally, I like to use mine for dipping my garlic knots or over my popular pizza dough. To use this sauce for pizza, simply spread it evenly over the rolled dough, cover with cheese (and whatever other toppings you like) and then bake until the cheese is melty.
I find that I typically use about ½ cup of sauce for a 10-12″ pizza. This recipe makes about two cups, and you can save any extra in the fridge or freezer.
Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Homemade pizza sauce may also be frozen (in an airtight container, of course), for up to three months. To thaw, I recommend just moving the container to the refrigerator the day before you intend to use it and allowing it to thaw overnight. Stir before using.
I imagine it could also be canned, but I don’t have experience with canning to advise on how to do so.
If you are interested in a “white” version of this recipe, my Alfredo sauce recipe is perfect for that!
Enjoy!
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Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe (Easy, No-Cook!)
Ingredients
- 14.5 oz (411 g) canned diced tomatoes or fire roasted tomatoes undrained
- 6 oz (170 g) canned tomato paste
- 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 teaspoon finely ground sea salt
- ¾ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper freshly ground
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in food processor or blender.14.5 oz (411 g) canned diced tomatoes or fire roasted tomatoes, 6 oz (170 g) canned tomato paste, 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, 2 teaspoons granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons dried basil, 1 clove garlic, 1 teaspoon finely ground sea salt, ¾ teaspoon dried oregano, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Pulse 15 times or until mixture is smooth.
- Use immediately or store in an airtight container to use later.
Notes
Storing
Store leftover sauce in an airtight container. Will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week or the freezer for up to 3 months.Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Lynne
Best homemade sauce EVER! My son says don’t ever buy store-bought again! Was super easy to make.
Cathy
OMG. I just made this, it is perfect. I can’t wait to cook tonight. HOPING MY CRUST TURNS OUT AS WELL. Thank you so much.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Wonderful! We hope you enjoy your pizza dinner, Cathy 🥰
Mary
I tried this recipe last night over spaghetti squash. It was very good! I ended up adding a little bit more oregano in a pinch more sugar just for my taste. My family ate it up! Thank you!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re glad everyone enjoyed it, Mary! Next time, give our marinara sauce a try ❤
Joe
But you are substituting canned tomatoes for fresh. You mean “Don’t try replacing canned tomatoes with fresh”.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Joe! We aren’t substituting canned tomatoes for fresh, as this recipe was specifically designed for canned tomatoes. The statement we have written is correct. We hope you love the sauce 🙂
Patricia
Hi there how much is 14.5 oz? I understand measuring more in cups
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Patricia! It’s just shy of 2 cups. Hope that helps 🙂
Cheryl
The ounces are on the can and readily available at most markets.
Dick
14.5 oz is a weight measure. Available as a standard weight of “canned diced tomatoes” on store shelves. In the USA anyway. Hope this helps.
Miriam Rose Blanar
I love your pizza sauce so much and am going to make some again tonight with your pizza crust. Quick question, can I use crushed tomatoes instead of diced, or will that make it weird?
Sam
The crushed tomatoes may introduce a little bit more water and make it a bit runnier, but I haven’t tried it to know for sure.
Ina
Any chance one can use canned tomato sauce instead of diced tomatoes?
Sam
Hi Ina! I’m not really sure how that would turn out for you. A lot of the flavor comes from the diced tomatoes and the tomato sauce may end up making it really runny.
Gen
Just made it! So easy, and so so delicious. Much better than the bottle of pizza squeeze my husband buys. Will definitely be making more of this in the future!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Wonderful! We’re so happy it was a hit for you, Gen. Thanks for giving our recipe a try 🙂
Genie
Absolutely fantastic! I added a little extra garlic but otherwise followed everything as-is. Wonderful and easy sauce; I had enough for two pizzas. Thank you for the recipe!
Jean Roberts
Why do you only recommend freezing for 3 months? Betty Crocker, extension offices across the country state one year as long as sauce is properly sealed and air tight in the freezer.I’ve been doing this for years without any issues.
Sam
Hi Jean! I don’t have instruction for properly sealing/canning the sauce which is why I only say 3 months. I’m sure it can be kept longer if properly sealed but I’m not familiar enough with the process to comment on it. 🙁
Russ Clarke
This was perfect and fast added just a bit more garlic since I am a lover of garlic. I will be using this moving forward
Marti
i found this to be extremely acidic! I’ve been told to try adding some baking soda to it to counteract the acid from the tomatoes… it was barely edible.
Sam
Hi Marti! This is disappointing to hear, baking soda can help with the acidity but I’ve never found it to be necessary as the sugar has always helped with any excess acidity for me. May I ask what brand tomatoes you happened to use?
Marti Fernandez
Hi Sam, I used Muir Glen organic diced tomatoes and, I believe it was Cento tomato paste.
Sam
Both brands I frequently use as well, so I’m honestly not sure why the acidity was so intense this time. I am disappointed to hear it, though! To fight the acidity you can try a sprinkle of baking soda if you’d like (I would try maybe 1/8 teaspoon or even less and taste and add more as needed, a small bit can go a long way). I’d personally probably add a bit more sugar, but that will of course make the sauce sweeter as well and how sweet you like yours is a personal taste.
I am sorry to hear it, though, Marti!
Dee
All I can say is WOW! This is undoubtedly the easiest, tastiest pizza sauce I’ve ever made. Simple pantry ingredients, less than 5 minutes to prepare. Delicious!
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much, Dee! 🙂
Nue
Wonderful sauce! This is the first time my home made pizza tasted like restaurants. Thank you so much!
Kat Colbourn
Hi Sam! This is such a great recipe!! The sauce is so fresh, tasty and yet so easy! My hubby and I used this last night to make stone baked bbq pizza and also cast iron oven pizza! We also used your pizza dough recipe. We had guests and everyone was raving! Thank you! Love your blog 😁 ❤️
Sam
Thank you so much, Kat! I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much! 🙂
Jennifer Moody
Super easy and tasty. I’m usually leery of red pepper flakes, but I put in just a few. Now I can’t decide if I should use 12 flakes or 6, because they do give a bit of necessary kick. Awesome sauce!😋
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much, Jennifer! 🙂
Carmen Feliciano
I love this recipe I will never buy pizza sauce again, Thanks for sharing
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much, Carmen! 🙂
Shay
Just simple and amazing!
sandhya
every recipe ive ever tried of yours has just been fantastic and this is no less. Thank you for making me enjoy cooking with these easy to make , delicious recipes . This came out fantastic and a real winner at every meal ive prepared it for – whether just me and the hubby or with larger family who just gushed over the pizza and asked for the recipe and i directed them here – thank you!!
Sam
You are so welcome! I’m so glad you have enjoyed everything. Thank you so much for your wonderful comment. 🙂
Michele
Ditto!!!! We too have loved all the recipes I’ve made from you! Thanks bunches!!!