Once you discover how EASY it is to whip up a thick, rich homemade pizza sauce that tastes like it’s been simmering for hours in only 10 MINUTES, you’ll never go back to buying store-bought again! Garlic, herbs, red wine, and tomato paste pump up the flavor in this easy, freezable recipe.
Pizza has to be my favorite food of all time. Sometimes I eat it two night in a row. And I’ve been known to eat it cold from the refrigerator for breakfast.
And to me, what makes a pizza is its sauce.
I prefer a pizza with red sauce (as opposed to a white pizza), and love when the sauce is rich and tomatoey, slightly sweet, and full of garlic and herb flavor. Lucky for me, I have the perfect recipe for this! And best of all, you only need about 10 minutes to make it.
Why is homemade pizza sauce better than store-bought?
Sure, you can buy pizza sauce at the store. But making it is so much better. Here’s why:
- It’s cheaper. This recipe makes enough sauce for 3-4 full size pizzas (freeze or can the rest of it!) and costs only about $3 to make the whole thing!
- It’s usually healthier. You control the ingredients going in, and many store-bought sauces have lots of added sugar.
- It’s yummier. Almost everything made from scratch is.
How to make it taste like it’s been simmering for hours
Usually, an excellent homemade tomato sauce (like this marinara recipe) simmers for a good, long while, which allows the flavors to develop more intensely. Slow cooking tomato sauce enhances the sweetness of the tomatoes and makes it taste richer, while at the same time thickening the sauce due to reduction.
But sometimes, you just need things quick and easy. Here’s what makes this quick and easy pizza sauce taste so amazing:
- Heat the fresh minced garlic and Italian seasoning in olive oil before adding the other ingredients. This will infuse the oil with all the flavors and distribute it evenly throughout the sauce, while at the same time mellowing out the raw garlic flavor.
- Use red wine and simmer it until it’s a bit reduced, to add a deep, rich flavor.
- Add just a little bit of sugar. I added honey to my sauce, but you can use regular ol’ sugar if you want. This helps balance out the acidity of the tomatoes and enriches the flavor.
- Use tomato paste. The concentrated flavor of tomato paste goes a long way in this sauce, and it helps thicken the whole thing up to be the perfect consistency for a pizza (spreadable, but not too liquidy).
- Use good quality canned, crushed tomatoes. When using canned tomatoes, I almost always go for the imported from Italy San Marzano kind. They are more naturally sweet than others. I like Cento, Tutto Rosso, and San Marzano brands the best.
How to make homemade pizza sauce
Just sauté the minced garlic and dried herbs in some olive oil (gently, for only about 1 minute). You don’t want to burn the garlic. Then, add some red wine and reduce for another minute or so.
Finally, add crushed tomatoes and tomato paste, season with salt and pepper, and throw in a little sugar or honey if you want. That’s it! SO easy.
How to store it
I like to freeze my sauce divided into three or four 8-oz. mason jars which are the perfect size for a large pizza.
If you’re into canning things, you can also can this sauce and keep it in your pantry (although I haven’t personally tried this).
It will also stay good in your fridge for about a week in an airtight container. This is great if you just need a little at a time, like if you’re making english muffin pizzas for lunch. It’s also great as a dipping sauce for things like arancini or homemade calzones!
Recipes to use with homemade pizza sauce
- Loving the from-scratch taste of this sauce? Try making homemade whole wheat pizza dough!
- Use the sauce on a large sheet pan pizza, perfect for the whole family,
- I love using this red sauce on Homemade Hawaiian Pizza, Buffalo Mushroom Naan Pizza and Sausage Breakfast Pizza.
- You can also use it as a thicker alternative to marinara sauce in stuffed portobello mushrooms or roasted eggplant parmesan stacks.
Check out all my homemade sauce recipes here.
Did you make this quick and easy homemade pizza sauce recipe? Please click the stars below to comment and Rate this Recipe
10-Minute Homemade Pizza Sauce
Equipment
- medium pot
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (see notes)
- 1/4 cup red wine
- 28 oz. canned crushed tomatoes
- 6 oz. canned tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon honey or sugar optional
- kosher salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil (1 tablespoon) in a medium saucepan on medium heat and sauté the minced garlic (2 cloves) and Italian seasoning (1 teaspoon) for one minute or until fragrant, stirring consistently so the garlic doesn't burn.
- Add red wine (1/4 cup) and simmer for another minute, stirring frequently, or until wine has reduced by about half.
- Add remaining ingredients, stir, cover, and simmer on low for about 5 minutes or until heated through. Season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste and add the honey or sugar, if using. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
Notes
- If you don’t have Italian seasoning, you can use dried oregano, thyme, and/or basil. You can also use fresh herbs if you prefer- if you do this, use 1 tablespoon instead of 1 teaspoon.
- Storage: I like to store this sauce in 8 oz. mason jars in my freezer, which is the perfect amount for a large pizza. Although I’ve never tried it, you can also can this sauce and store it in your pantry.
- Wine alternative: if you prefer to not use wine, just skip that step and move right on to adding the other ingredients.
Nutrition
Nutrition Information Disclaimer
The provided nutrition information is my best estimate and does not include any added sodium from seasoning to taste, any optional ingredients, and it does not take brands into account. I use an automatic API to calculate this information. Feel free to calculate it yourself using one of these tools:
This recipe originally appeared on Bowl of Delicious in April 2015 as “Quick and Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce.” It’s been updated with new photos, an improved recipe, and more pertinent information in the post.
Mark
Love the simplicity and flavor of this recipe. It’s my go to marinara sauce.
Elizabeth
So happy you like it!
Robert
Hi! This looks like a delicious pizza sauce recipe that I want to make. My question is what brand and type of red wine do you suggest for this recipe? Thanks.
Elizabeth
I never use anything specific- I just usually use what I have on hand (which is almost always Apothic Red- my favorite cheap go-to wine!). Hope you like it!
Jeff
Hey bud! Do you think this sauce would go well with Pasta as well!? I tried it on Pizza and loved it! Nice recipe!
Elizabeth
Thanks so much! I think it would be great on pasta. It’s a bit thicker than traditional marinara sauce, so you’d probably need to use less of it.
Stephanie
I made this tonight for a low carb pizza casserole and I will never buy a jar sauce again!
Elizabeth
Yay! Glad you liked it :-)
Aaron Stevenson
Just made christmas pull aparts – needed some pizza sauce –
great, easy, yummy recipe!
Elizabeth
Thanks Aaron! Glad you liked it!
Paul
I don’t use alcohol, what alternative could you suggest to give the depth? rated 4 until i try again with your suggestion!!!
Regards
Elizabeth
I always use chicken broth in place of wine when I don’t have any on hand- it’s perfect for deglazing and adds some nice flavor. Hope that helps!
Sean
Loved it, didn’t have red wine around, so i tried white and it was still fantastic! Happy tummy! :-)
I cant seem to click on the stars, but i give it a 5!
Sean
Oh yeah, i had some fresh tomato from a friend garden which is why i stumbled on this recipe. So i used a medium tomato in stead of the canned tomato.
Elizabeth
Awesome! So glad you liked it, and thanks for the comment!
Jenny Murray
Hello
We are making this today. Have you ever canned it?
Elizabeth
I personally have never canned it (and truthfully, I’ve never canned anything- some food blogger I am, huh?!) but I don’t think there is any reason why it wouldn’t work! Eventually, I’d love to get into canning so I can stock my pantry with this. Hope you like it :-)
Jamie
This seemed a little thick and was really bubbling up when I made it! I ended up putting a lid on it but stirring occasionally. Did I do something wrong?
Elizabeth
It does get thicker than traditional tomato sauce, so it covers pizza crust a bit better. That said, try simmering it covered next time. It will allow less liquid to escape via steam. And turn it to a lower heat- maybe move it to a different burner on your stove (the front burners on mine are far too strong for things like this). Hope that helps!
Teresa Atchley
Thicker sauce is a must for pizza, or the sauce will make the crust soggy. This is the best recipe I have ever tried for fresh pizza sauce, and the best thing about it is it’s QUICK. Who has time to simmer sauce for 30 minutes or more? And it’s simple enough that it doesn’t overwhelm the cheese and other toppings. Thanks so much, Elizabeth.
Elizabeth
I’m so happy you liked the recipe! Thanks for the comment :-)
Hesperider
Perfectly good recipe made a rich, thick sauce for pizza. I used half fresh tomatoes and half passata plus a half of a red pepper.
Simmered for around 45 minutes and was rewarded with a delicious sauce.
Elizabeth
So happy you liked it!
Diane
I have been making pizzas at home with my kids and use my bread machine to make the dough. I would usually just use a jar of marinara/pizza sauce. We made one last night, and I realized that I didn’t have any sauce. I found your recipie, and I had all the ingredients on hand. This is my new go-to sauce for pizza! I used honey in it as well and my kids and I all loved this sauce! I froze the rest for next time :)
Elizabeth
So glad you liked it, Diane!! Can I ask what kind of bread machine you have, and do you like it? I’m in the market for one and need some suggestions :-)
Diane
I have a Kenmore brand bread machine, that makes up to a 2lb loaf. It works great and very easy to use! I really love it for the dough setting on there because I make cinnamon rolls from dough cycle too.
Joshua
Too good and simple. I added a little bit of green chilli as I wanted mild spicy. Great
Elizabeth
Great idea! Thanks :-)
Asia
Thank you for sharing your recipe, very delish. ..
melinda lennen
I also add a pinch of red sweet Hungarian paprika, finely diced capsicum, onion and celery to mine, but it tends to be a bit bitter, so will add the honey from now on. This freezes really well and can be added to bolognaise sauce, and other tomato based dishes. Thanks for the tip. I will give it a go next time. Can’t rate Your recipe as yet, but will when I make it.
chris
Great sauce! I didn’t know cooking wine was a thing so I used a red merlot I had and it came out fantastic on the home made pizza I made, used the left overs on meatballs with pasta, also very good :) thank you so much!!
Elizabeth
You’re welcome, and glad you liked it! I usually use whatever wine I have open :-)
Celia
homemade does not equal a can of tomatoes. how do you make an actual homemade, fresh pizza sauce with whole ingredients?
Elizabeth
Hi Celia! I personally include both canned/boxed and frozen vegetables in the category of “whole” foods since the ingredients in them are simply one ingredient: that vegetable. If you prefer to use fresh, it can definitely work with this recipe! Peel and dice tomatoes and use an immersion or regular blender to puree it to a sauce-like consistency. Since I tend to post about recipes for busy people (and I myself am a busy person) I tend to use ingredients that don’t require too much prep while still being as fresh and healthy as possible. Let me know if you try it with fresh tomatoes- I’d love to know how it comes out!
Lisa Furman
Good afternoon! I just tried this with fresh tomatoes… It was very fast and very much worth it! My son grew the tomatoes and a couple peppers. I used a tiny food processor after peeling and seeding the tomatoes, but you can always use a masher/blender like Elizabeth suggests.
I have to admit I dislike green peppers, but they were so good combined with this sauce. YUM!!!
Elizabeth
Yum- sounds delicious!! Glad you liked it!
Laura
This was really easy and delicious. Thank you so much!
Elizabeth
Yay! Glad you liked it :-)
James
Looks easy and sounds good, going to give this a try.
jennifer
About to try this tonight!!!
Bob
Me too
Samantha
What kindbof red wine did you use in the sauce? Looking to make this sauce soon..
Elizabeth
I usually use whatever I have lying around, but for best results use something on the dryer side and not the sweeter. Chianti works well for sauces like this!
Yvonne
Great recipe and finally one without the need of sugar, honey works great!
Elizabeth
Hooray! Glad you like it!
Ohmydish
Home-made pizza is the best kind of pizza. Really makes a difference in taste.