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Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce

This easy homemade pizza sauce is a no-cook red sauce made with only 5 ingredients in less than 5 minutes. It’s flavorful and will make your pizza taste like it came from a pizzeria!

We love to use this red sauce on pizza recipes! It’s the perfect addition to top homemade pizza dough or when making French bread pizzas.

Pizza sauce in jar with wooden spoon.
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Best Red Sauce

We make homemade pizzas almost every week at our house. Although we love to make different variations like BBQ chicken pizza, spinach pesto pizza or this alfredo pizza recipe, a classic red sauce on a homemade pepperoni pizza is definitely the family favorite. So delicious!

Homemade pizza sauce is seriously so easy to make and is done in less than 5 minutes! Although store-bought may seem a little more convenient, trust me when I say you’ll never go back after making this easy recipe. It tastes way more fresh than store-bought and is super inexpensive. Plus it’s made with just 5 simple ingredients.

Difference Between Pizza Sauce and Spaghetti Sauce

The main difference between pizza sauce and spaghetti sauce (also called marinara or pasta sauce) is the cooking method. Pizza sauce is typically uncooked and is made with either fresh or canned tomato and spices. Because it isn’t cooked prior to going in the oven, it results in a more fresh and strong tomato flavor.

On the other hand, spaghetti sauce is slowly simmered like homemade bolognese to create a more rich and deep flavor. It usually contains a few more spices and may also have a little more texture since many spaghetti sauces aren’t puréed. I also like to add ground beef to my spaghetti sauce to make it more hearty.

Pizza Sauce Recipe Ingredients

Mixing pizza sauce in bowl.
  • Tomato sauce: This is the base of the sauce.
  • Basil: You can use dried basil or fresh from the garden.
  • Oregano: An Italian herb that packs a punch of flavor.
  • Garlic: Fresh minced garlic or garlic powder both work.
  • Salt and pepper: Add as much or as little, to taste.

How to Make Pizza Sauce

This recipe couldn’t be any easier! Seriously, no cooking required and it comes together in one bowl.

Pizza sauce spread on pizza dough.
  1. Whisk. In a small bowl, whisk together all ingredients. Salt and pepper to taste.
  2. Tast. If desired, add more seasonings like red pepper flakes or sugar to taste.
  3. Spread. Spread on pizza dough and add desired toppings. Bake pizza according to directions.

Tips + Variations

  • Amount. This recipe makes enough for two 12-inch pizzas. You can half or even double the recipe depending on how many pizzas you are making.
  • Fresh herbs. Use fresh basil, oregano and minced garlic for a bolder Italian flavor.
  • Spice. Add in a few red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.
  • Sweeten. You can sprinkle in some sugar for a sweeter taste if preferred.
  • To thicken: If you like it on the thicker side, try adding about 2 to 4 Tablespoons of tomato paste. I’d add 1 Tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is met. The tomato paste will add a bolder tomato flavor, but it still tastes just as delicious!

Storing + Freezing

Pizza sauce will keep for about 3 to 5 days in the fridge in an airtight container. I like to store any leftover sauce in a glass mason jar. It also freezes well, too. Simply place in a zip top bag and freeze up to 4 months. Allow to thaw in the refrigerator or place in warm water to thaw.

Other Ways to Use Pizza Sauce

If you have leftover sauce, there are plenty of other ways to use it up! Check out some of our favorites below.

Homemade pizza sauce spread on pizza dough.

More Homemade Italian Sauces

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pizza sauce in a jar

Homemade Pizza Sauce

5 from 17 votes
↑ Click stars to rate now!
Author: Jamielyn Nye
This easy homemade pizza sauce is a no-cook red sauce made with only 5 ingredients in less than 5 minutes. It makes pizza taste like it came from a pizzeria!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients 

  • 8 ounce can tomato sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh basil , or 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon ground oregano
  • 2 cloves minced garlic , or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

S&P, to taste

    Instructions

    • Whisk together the ingredients in a small bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste. I like to start with about 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. 
    • Add more seasonings to taste. If you like a little heat, add some crushed red pepper flakes. If you like a sweeter sauce, add 1-2 teaspoons sugar. 
    • Spread out on pizza dough and add desired toppings. Bake according to dough directions. 

    Notes

    This recipe makes enough for 2 (12-inch) pizzas. 
    This sauce also freezes well. Simply place in a zip top bag or freezer container and freeze up to 4 months. Allow to thaw in the refrigerator or place in warm water to thaw. 
    If you’d like a thicker pizza sauce, add in 2-4 Tablespoons tomato paste. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 8kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Sodium: 148mg | Potassium: 93mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 135IU | Vitamin C: 2.1mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.4mg

    Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

    Course: Condiment
    Cuisine: Italian

    Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!

    Pizza sauce in a jar with wooden spoon.

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