This Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe takes less than 5 minutes to prepare and the quality is so much better than any store-bought pizza sauce. Once you try it, you will be hooked!
Now that you know how to make pizza dough, it’s time to make the best tomato sauce for your pizza.
This is a no-cook, fast and easy pizza sauce that tastes so much better than any store-bought variety.
I use it exclusively to make my mom’s homemade pizza, this delicious seafood pizza and naturally this margherita pizza.
We can probably have an hour-long discussion just on the topic of pizza sauce… and in my humble opinion, there is no right or wrong… as always, it is a matter of personal preference.
I do want to emphasize that using quality ingredients does make a difference. As you know, the strength of any dish is in the quality of the ingredients and this is especially true for this quick pizza sauce.
Ingredients
Go to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page for the specific amounts of each ingredient.
- San Marzano Tomatoes: Whole peeled tomatoes.
- Salt: An essential ingredient when seasoning tomatoes.
- Oregano: Use a high-quality variety… you will smell the difference!
- Olive oil: If available, use extra virgin olive oil.
- Garlic: Chopped fresh cloves. If possible, use local.
- Parsley: Use Italian flat-leaf parsley, freshly chopped.
- Bay leaf: An unusual ingredient in this family recipe.
- Chili flakes: Although optional, I highly recommend them!
Are you ready to make pizza sauce?
Let’s begin!
Instructions
In a medium bowl, empty the contents of a 28-ounce can of whole San Marzano tomatoes DOP.
Next, we will use our hands to crush these tomatoes. That’s right! A hand-crushed San Marzano pizza sauce recipe! It feels therapeutic…
Remove any tomato cores that feel hard. Alternatively, use a potato masher to crush these whole canned tomatoes.
Add the salt (¼ teaspoon), oregano (1 teaspoon), extra virgin olive oil (1 tablespoon), chopped garlic (2-3 cloves), chopped fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley (2 tablespoons), a bay leaf and a pinch of chili flakes (optional).
Stir to combine thoroughly together.
Once the ingredients are combined, set aside for at least thirty minutes before spreading them on your pizza. This time allows the flavors to blend.
Discard the bay leaf when you are ready to top your pizza with the best pizza sauce ever!
Make sure to visit my Pizza page where you will find a few recipes that use this easy pizza sauce recipe.
Tips
- If available in your region, make sure to purchase canned tomatoes which have been certified DOP.
- Allow the ingredients to meld together at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. This time improves the overall flavor of the sauce.
What does DOP stand for?
DOP is short for Denominazione di Origine Protetta. This certification guarantees that products, like canned tomatoes, are locally grown and packaged. There is a great article on Serious Eats about the DOP tomato.
Why use DOP San Marzano tomatoes?
These tomatoes are sweet and the quality is consistent.
How long can I keep this pizza sauce?
Unused pizza sauce can be refrigerated for up to three days or frozen for up to 3 months.
What’s the difference between pizza sauce and marinara sauce?
Classic marinara sauce or any other tomato sauce is cooked, whereas pizza sauce is not pre-cooked.
Homemade pizza recipes we love
Recipe origins
Once again, it is back to my roots for this Italian pizza sauce recipe aka the best pizza sauce recipe!!!
This was the sauce my mom would make whenever she made her slab pizza. The only exception was in the summer.
You see, my dad was a great gardener and you would not believe the wonderful vegetables he would grow. Naturally, my mom would make fresh tomato pizza sauce from garden tomatoes.
She would also spend a few afternoons canning raw pack whole tomatoes. Yes, my dad had a large backyard garden.
If you love to make pizza, you will love this no-cook pizza sauce.
I hope you get a chance to try it!
If you haven’t already done so, be sure to join us on YouTube where we share how to make tasty pizza recipes from start to finish.
While you are there, subscribe to the channel. We wouldn’t want you to miss out on any delicious Italian recipes.
THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.
Ciao for now,
Maria
★★★★★ If you have made this Pizza Sauce Recipe, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!
Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 28 ounce San Marzano tomatoes 796 mL, whole peeled tomatoes
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon oregano dried
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 bay leaf
- 2-3 fresh garlic cloves finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons Italian flat-leaf parsley fresh, minced
- pinch chili flakes optional
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, empty the contents of the can of tomatoes. Hand crush the tomatoes.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and combine.
- Allow to sit for about 30 minutes for the flavors to combine.
- Discard bay leaf when ready to use the pizza sauce.
Notes
- If available in your region, make sure to purchase canned tomatoes which have been certified DOP.
- Allow the ingredients to meld together at room temperature for at least 30 minutes This time improves the overall flavor of the sauce.
Kristen
This pizza sauce is great. It is everything I was looking for in a pizza sauce; fresh tasting, not too much garlic or sweet, just the right amount for my house. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful recipe.
Maria
How wonderful Kristen! I am thrilled that you like my mom’s recipe for pizza sauce. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, appreciate it!
Jen
Many years ago, I lived in Montreal. In Park Ex.,I would frequent an Italian Bakery and they served this amazing tomato sauce pizza. For some reason, I started craving it again. I found your recipe. The dough and sauce are excellent! Close if not not better then what I was missing. Ty so much for sharing with us.
Maria
You just made my day Jen! Thanks so much for sharing!
Val
I love this recipe! This is the best pizza sauce ever! Thanks for the recipe Maria!
Maria
I am thrilled to hear you liked this pizza sauce recipe Val! Thanks so much for taking the time to share, appreciate it.