Pizza Sauce Recipe

Pizza sauce is the heart of any great pizza, bringing together flavors that elevate the entire dish. Making your own pizza sauce at home not only ensures freshness but also allows you to tailor it to your taste preferences. Here’s a simple yet delicious recipe for homemade pizza sauce that will take your homemade pizzas to the next level.

Ingredients:

• Tomatoes: 1 can (28 ounces) of whole peeled tomatoes
• Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
• Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons
• Onion: 1 small, finely chopped
• Salt: 1 teaspoon (adjust to taste)
• Sugar: 1 teaspoon
• Dried Oregano: 1 teaspoon
• Dried Basil: 1 teaspoon
• Red Pepper Flakes: 1/4 teaspoon (optional, for a bit of heat)
• Fresh Basil: 2 tablespoons, chopped (optional, for added freshness)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Tomatoes:

• Drain the tomatoes from the can and reserve the juice. Crush the tomatoes using your hands or a fork until they reach a chunky consistency. Set aside.

1. Sauté the Aromatics:

• Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and chopped onion. Sauté until the onions become translucent and garlic is fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.

1. Simmer the Sauce:

• Add the crushed tomatoes, reserved tomato juice, salt, sugar, dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes (if using) to the saucepan. Stir well to combine.
• Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.

1. Finish with Fresh Basil (Optional):

• If using fresh basil, stir it into the sauce during the last 5 minutes of cooking.

1. Adjust Seasoning:

• Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more salt or sugar according to your preference.

1. Cool and Use:

• Once cooked, let the sauce cool slightly before spreading it onto your pizza dough. It can also be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or frozen for longer storage.

Tips for Perfect Pizza Sauce:

• Quality Tomatoes: Use good quality canned tomatoes for the best flavor. San Marzano tomatoes are a popular choice for their sweetness and low acidity.
• Consistency: Simmering the sauce allows it to reduce and intensify in flavor. Adjust the cooking time to achieve your preferred thickness.
• Customize: Feel free to customize the sauce with additional herbs like thyme or rosemary, or adjust the spice level with more red pepper flakes.

Enjoy Your Homemade Pizza Sauce!

With this homemade pizza sauce recipe, you’ll bring authentic Italian flavors right into your kitchen. Whether you’re making classic Margherita pizzas or experimenting with your favorite toppings, this sauce will be the perfect complement to your homemade pizza creations. Enjoy the delicious taste of freshly made pizza sauce, and let your culinary creativity shine!