How to make homemade pizza sauce like an Italian
Making authentic pizza sauce from scratch is easier than you think. You don’t need fancy ingredients—just a handful of pantry staples and a simple technique that brings out the best flavours. I’ve spent time with some of the world’s top pizza chefs, learning their best tips and secrets, and this is an important recipe that really enhances the flavour of your pizza.
If you’re looking for the best pizza sauce recipe, this homemade version is packed with flavour. It’s budget-friendly, quick to make, and can you believe I only used 3 simple ingredients? Even so, it tastes delicious, just like the one you’d get in a true Italian pizzeria.
Why This is a No-Cook Sauce
Unlike other sauces, this homemade pizza sauce isn’t cooked before it goes on the pizza. Why? Because pizza sauce should cook on the pizza, not before.
When you bake your pizza, the sauce heats up just enough to release the fresh, vibrant flavours of the tomatoes without drying them out. Pre-cooking the sauce kills that fresh tomato flavor, and dries it out too. That’s why the goal is to let the natural sweetness of the tomatoes shine through as they simmer gently in the oven.
Watch How to Make homemade TOMATO SAUCE for PIZZA
This easy pizza sauce recipe only needs three ingredients
Tips for making homemade pizza sauce
No Cheap Tomatoes Allowed
For the best flavour, always go for San Marzano tomatoes. If you can’t find them, use top-quality Italian peeled tomatoes.
One Teaspoon
You can adjust the salt to your taste, but the golden rule? 1 teaspoon per small can of tomatoes. Simple and perfect.
To Garlic or Not to Garlic?
Garlic in pizza sauce is totally optional. If you love it, go for it! But if you’re making pizza for everyone, leave it out—not everyone is a fan and it can be overpowering.
Be Hands On
For the best texture, squash the tomatoes with your hands to release their natural juices and keep that rustic look. This way, you preserve both flavor and freshness. If you prefer to, use an immersion blender, be super gentle when you blend the sauce. Breaking the seeds can add bitterness.
Basil is Non-Negotiable
Don’t just add basil on top of the pizza—mix it into the sauce too! By doing so, it has time to infuse and develop that deep, herby flavour.
Keep It Fresh
If you’re keeping your sauce in the fridge, use it within 4-5 days. Cover it well with plastic wrap to keep it fresh and flavourful.
How to serve homemade pizza sauce
You can now use this sauce on your pizza or store it in the fridge for later.
To top your pizza, spread 1½ ladles of sauce evenly over the base, leaving room around the rim for the “cornicione”. Add fresh basil, then place the cheese on top of the basil to prevent it from burning. Add any other toppings you like and if you prefer to keep it simple like me, go for grated pecorino cheese, mozzarella cheese, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Delicious!
Homemade Pizza Sauce
Print Recipe
Equipment
- 1 large-sized bowl
- Spoon
- Tomato masher (optional)
- Hand held blender (optional)
Ingredients
- 2 cans /800g Peeled tomatoes
- 2 Tsp Salt
- A fresh bunch of basil
Instructions
- Place peeled tomatoes in a large bowl and gently squash them by hand. Use a tomato masher if needed. If using a hand blender, pulse quickly, and don’t over blend them.
- Add salt to the crushed tomatoes, around 1 teaspoon per small can.
- Tear basil leaves by hand and mix into the sauce with a spoon until well incorporated.
Video
E ora si mangia, Vincenzo’s Plate…Enjoy!
Now that you have your sauce, let’s make the perfect homemade pizza dough. Learn from World Pizza Champion Johnny Di Francesco how to make Neapolitan Pizza with Dry Yeast recipe!
No oven? No problem! This homemade pizza sauce is perfect for my No-Oven Pan Pizza recipe. Also, don’t underestimate the beautiful pizza crust this recipe creates.
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