Pizza Sauce
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This Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce is the secret weapon your Friday night has been missing. It’s thick, rich, packed with flavor, and made from pantry staples in just minutes. No cooking required. Whether you’re team thin crust or deep dish, this sauce brings the pizzeria vibes without the takeout price. Let’s make your pizza night unforgettable.
Use this as a dip for appetizers, quick French Bread Style Pizzas, mini flat bread pizzas, Pizza Dough Pretzels and so much more.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy pizza night recipes – A simple way to elevate your homemade pizza without extra work.
- Freezer-friendly sauces – Great to prep ahead and freeze for future meals.
- Kid-friendly pizza recipes – Mild, flavorful, and easy to customize for picky eaters.
- Budget-friendly pizza ideas – Way cheaper than takeout and packed with flavor.
Skip the jar—this easy pizza red sauce recipe comes together in minutes and packs way more flavor than anything store-bought. Made with tomato paste, a handful of pantry spices, and a little Parmesan, it’s thick, bold, and perfect for any crust you’ve got ready to roll.
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No cooking, no chopping, no fuss. Just stir, spread, and bake. It’s a go-to for busy nights, pizza parties, or whenever you need something fast that still tastes homemade. Once you try it, there’s no going back.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This no-cook pizza sauce is built on bold flavor and simplicity. Every ingredient plays a role in delivering that classic pizzeria-style taste without the fuss. Here’s what you’ll need and a few pro tips to help you get the best results:
- Tomato paste – Thick, rich, and concentrated. This is the backbone of the sauce and gives it that deep tomato flavor without being watery.
- Parmesan cheese – Adds a salty, umami punch. Use finely grated for best texture and flavor distribution.
- Sugar – Just a touch to balance the acidity of the tomato paste. Don’t skip it. Your tastebuds will thank you.
- Garlic powder – Gives you that garlic flavor without overpowering or adding moisture.
- Onion powder – Adds subtle depth and a little sweetness.
- Salt – Enhances all the flavors, so don’t be shy—but taste as you go.
- Dried basil & oregano – These two are essential for that classic Italian flavor.
- Dried parsley – Mild but fresh-tasting, it rounds out the herb blend.
- Red pepper flakes – Totally optional, but a pinch adds a hint of heat that makes the sauce pop.
This list keeps things simple and budget-friendly, but don’t be afraid to tweak it based on what you love. Want it spicier? Add more flakes. No Parmesan? It’ll still be delicious.
Jesseca’s Recipe Review
This homemade pizza sauce has been a total game-changer for our weekly pizza nights. I’ve tried plenty of store-bought versions, but nothing beats the bold flavor and control you get with homemade. It’s quick, cheap, and packs way more punch than anything in a jar.
Tip from Jesseca:
Make a double batch and freeze it in ice cube trays. You’ll have perfect single-serve portions ready to go for last-minute dinners or quick dipping sauce.
Variations and Substitutions
This pizza sauce recipe is super flexible, which makes it perfect for customizing based on what you’ve got in the pantry or your personal taste. Here are a few easy swaps and upgrades to try:
- No Parmesan? Try grated Romano or skip the cheese entirely for a dairy-free version.
- Fresh herbs on hand? Swap dried basil or oregano for fresh. Just triple the amount since dried is more concentrated.
- Don’t have tomato paste? You can use canned tomato sauce, but you’ll need to simmer it down to thicken and adjust the seasoning.
- Want it smoky? Add a pinch of smoked paprika or swap in chipotle powder for red pepper flakes.
- Cutting back on sugar? A pinch of baking soda can help mellow the acidity of the tomato paste instead.
- Extra garlicky? Go wild and double the garlic powder or stir in a clove of freshly minced garlic.
This is one of those recipes that invites you to play. Once you find your perfect combo, you might never buy store-bought again.
Try this recipe on my mini pizzas, especially the Halloween Pizza Recipe! Want a switch of flavors? Use my homemade pesto instead!
Best Pizza Sauce Recipe
No simmering, no fancy tools. Just a bowl, a whisk, and about 5 minutes. Here’s a quick look at how to bring it all together:
- Start with the tomato paste. Add a tablespoon or two of water and stir to loosen it up.
- Go slow. Continue stirring in small amounts of water until you reach your desired sauce consistency.
- Whisk in flavor. Add Parmesan, sugar, and all the seasonings, then whisk until smooth.
- Taste and adjust. Add more salt or spice if needed.
- Use immediately or store. Spread it on pizza dough or keep it chilled for later.
That’s it! Fresh sauce, zero cooking required. Once you try it, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with the jarred stuff.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, but you’ll need to simmer it to thicken and adjust the seasonings since tomato sauce is thinner and less concentrated. Tomato paste gives you that bold, classic flavor with zero cook time.
No. The sugar balances the acidity of the tomato paste. If you prefer a tangier sauce, feel free to leave it out or cut it in half.
Absolutely. Just skip the Parmesan for a dairy-free version. You can also try a dairy-free alternative if you still want that savory kick.
Totally. Just triple the amount, since dried herbs are more concentrated. Add them at the end and let the sauce sit a bit to bring out the flavor.
Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions
One of the best things about this sauce? It stores like a champ. You can easily make it ahead and have it ready for stress-free pizza nights anytime.
- To store: Transfer the sauce to an airtight container or jar and refrigerate for up to 7 days. Give it a quick stir before using, as some settling may occur.
- To freeze: Pour into a freezer-safe container or ice cube trays (great for single servings). Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight or pop in the microwave for a quick defrost.
- Make-ahead tip: This sauce actually tastes even better after a day or two in the fridge as the flavors have time to meld. Perfect for prepping early in the week and pulling out when the pizza craving hits.
The best Pizza Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
- 3/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Add tomato paste to a medium bowl. Start by adding 1 to 2 tablespoons of water and stir well to loosen the paste.
- Slowly continue adding water, a little at a time, stirring after each addition. Stop adding water if the sauce starts to look too thin—you want it to be thick but spreadable.
- Add the Parmesan cheese, sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, basil, oregano, parsley, and red pepper flakes. Whisk until fully combined and smooth.
- Depending on your preference, you can add more salt, a pinch of sugar, or extra red pepper flakes for heat.
- Spread directly onto pizza dough or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to one week.
Equipment
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
More Sauce Recipes:
- Alfredo Sauce with White Wine
- Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce
- Spaghetti Meat Sauce
- Pasta Sauce with Vegetables
Delicious, I’m pinning this because I definitely prefer making a good sauce than buying one to make pizza!
Yummmm
What a yummy pizza sauce….mmmmmm