Description
This homemade pizza sauce recipe is an easy and flavorful base for your favorite pizzas. Made with simple ingredients like tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and herbs, it simmers gently to develop rich, authentic Italian flavors. Perfect for those who want a fresh, from-scratch sauce that outshines store-bought versions.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 28 oz can tomatoes (preferably Roma or San Marzano variety) or 1.75 lbs ripe tomatoes
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 large cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 sprigs fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil: In a large saucepan over medium heat, warm the olive oil to prepare for sautéing the aromatics.
- Sauté garlic and herbs: Add the minced garlic, dried oregano, and fresh or dried basil to the pan. Stir and cook for about one minute until the garlic becomes fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add and crush tomatoes: Add the canned or chopped fresh tomatoes to the pan. Use a potato masher or the back of a wooden spoon to crush them into small pieces to create a saucy texture.
- Season the sauce: Stir in the kosher salt and optional crushed red pepper flakes for a mild heat kick, ensuring the flavors start to combine.
- Simmer the sauce: Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently. Stir occasionally and cook for at least 30 minutes, or up to 1 hour for deeper flavor development and a thicker consistency.
- Adjust and finish: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. Remove fresh basil sprigs if used before serving or using on pizza.
Notes
- Use high-quality canned tomatoes like San Marzano for the best flavor.
- If using fresh tomatoes, blanch and peel them before chopping.
- Simmering time can be adjusted based on how thick and concentrated you want the sauce.
- Store leftover sauce in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- For a smooth sauce, you can blend the sauce after simmering if preferred.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
