The Best 15-Minute Homemade Pizza Sauce (4 Servings)

Perfect for your next pizza night – ready in minutes, no cooking needed!

Key Takeaways:

• Makes enough sauce for 4 medium-sized pizzas
• Uses simple pantry ingredients
• No cooking required – just blend and enjoy
• Stays fresh for up to 5 days in the fridge

Why Make Your Own Pizza Sauce?

Store-bought pizza sauce often lacks the bright, fresh flavor that makes pizzas special. Making your sauce takes just 15 minutes and gives you complete control over the taste and texture. Plus, it’s more cost-effective than buying premade sauce.

Equipment & Ingredients

Kitchen Tools:

• Blender or food processor
• Measuring spoons
• Airtight container for storage
• Fine mesh strainer (optional)

Ingredients:

• 1 (28 oz) can whole peeled tomatoes
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Substitutions:

• Crushed tomatoes instead of whole peeled
• Garlic powder (1 teaspoon) for fresh garlic
• Fresh herbs (double the amount) for dried
• Honey or maple syrup instead of sugar

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparation Phase (5 minutes):

1. Gather Your Tools and Ingredients
   • Place all ingredients on your counter
   • Set up your blender or food processor
   • Have measuring spoons within reach
   • Get a clean kitchen towel and rubber spatula ready
2. Prepare the Tomatoes
   • Open the can of whole peeled tomatoes
   • Place a strainer over a large bowl
   • Gently pour tomatoes into the strainer
   • Let drain for 2-3 minutes while you prep other ingredients
   • Tip: Gently shake the strainer to help release excess liquid
3. Prepare the Garlic
   • Place garlic cloves on cutting board
   • Gently press each clove with the flat side of a knife
   • The skin should easily peel off
   • Remove any green sprouts if present (they can be bitter)
   • Roughly chop each clove (they’ll be blended anyway)
4. Measure Your Seasonings
   • Use separate small bowls for each seasoning
   • Level off each measuring spoon for accuracy
   • Keep seasonings separate until needed
   • Double-check measurements against recipe list

Assembly Phase (10 minutes):

5. Loading the Blender
   • Make sure blender jar is clean and dry
   • Add drained tomatoes first
   • Then add chopped garlic
   • Pour in measured olive oil
   • Add all dried herbs and spices
   • Tip: Adding ingredients in this order prevents herbs from sticking to bottom
6. Blending Process
   • Secure blender lid tightly
   • Start on LOW speed for 10 seconds
   • Gradually increase to MEDIUM speed
   • Blend for 30-45 seconds total
   • Stop and scrape sides with rubber spatula if needed
   • Tip: Don’t overblend – some texture is good!
7. Checking Consistency
   • Sauce should be smooth but not completely liquid
   • It should coat the back of a spoon
   • If too thick, add 1 tablespoon water at a time
   • If too thin, blend in 1 extra tablespoon tomato paste
   • Tip: Sauce will thicken slightly as it sits
8. Taste Testing and Adjusting
   • Use a clean spoon to taste
   • Let flavors sit on tongue for few seconds
   • Add more salt 1/4 teaspoon at a time if needed
   • Add more sugar 1/4 teaspoon at a time if too acidic
   • Stir well after each addition
   • Wait 30 seconds between taste tests
9. Final Steps
   • Transfer sauce to clean bowl
   • Let sit for 5 minutes to blend flavors
   • Stir once more before using
   • If not using immediately, transfer to airtight container

Visual Cues for Doneness:

• Sauce should be bright red
• Texture should be slightly thicker than tomato juice
• No large chunks of garlic or herbs visible
• Should easily spread with back of spoon
• Small specks of herbs visible throughout

Troubleshooting

Sauce is too watery:

• Drain tomatoes more thoroughly
• Blend for less time
• Let sauce sit in strainer for 10 minutes

Sauce is too thick:

• Add 1-2 tablespoons water
• Add more olive oil
• Blend longer for smoother consistency

Sauce is too acidic:

• Add more sugar (1/4 teaspoon at a time)
• Add a pinch of baking soda
• Use sweeter tomato varieties

Variations

Spicy Pizza Sauce:

• Double red pepper flakes
• Add 1 teaspoon cayenne
• Include 1 fresh chili pepper

Herb-Forward Sauce:

• Add fresh basil leaves
• Include fresh oregano
• Mix in fresh thyme

Roasted Garlic Version:

• Use roasted garlic instead of fresh
• Add 1 tablespoon roasted garlic oil
• Reduce regular olive oil

Storage & Reheating

Storage:

• Refrigerator: Up to 5 days in airtight container
• Freezer: Up to 3 months in freezer-safe container
• Portion into ice cube trays for single-serving use

Reheating:

• Let thaw completely if frozen
• Stir well before using
• No reheating needed – use cold

Safety Notes & Tips

Food Safety:

• Always use clean utensils
• Keep refrigerated
• Don’t leave at room temperature over 2 hours
• Check tomatoes for any damage before using

Pro Tips:

• Room temperature sauce spreads easier
• Don’t overblend – sauce should have some texture
• Use high-quality canned tomatoes for best results
• Apply sauce sparingly to prevent soggy pizza
• Season lightly as flavors intensify during baking

Time Breakdown:

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Assembly Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes

Makes enough sauce for four 12-inch pizzas

Dietary Notes:

• Vegan
• Gluten-free
• Dairy-free
• Low-calorie

Remember: The key to great pizza sauce is balancing flavors and keeping it simple. This recipe focuses on bringing out the natural sweetness of tomatoes while adding just enough seasoning to complement your toppings.