This no-cook Homemade Tomato Pizza Sauce is quick, easy, and packed with authentic Italian flavors. Made in less than 5 minutes, it’s perfect for making in bulk, freezing, and creating the best pizzas with homemade pizza dough, mozzarella, and fresh basil. This vibrant sauce is my go-to for elevating any pizza night!
If you like this recipe you might like my Sourdough Pizza Margherita or my Brie and Ham Pizza.
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Jump To
- 💖Why we love this tomato sauce for pizza
- 🛒 Ingredients for pizza tomato sauce
- Equipment you need to make best pizza sauce recipe
- 🍽️ How to make tomato sauce for pizza
- What is an authentic Neapolitan pizza sauce
- How to spread tomato sauce for pizza recipe
- How much homemade pizza sauce for one pizza
- What to serve with easy pizza sauce
- 🫙 Leftover and Storing
- 📃 Substitutions & Variations for best homemade pizza sauce
- ☑️ Our Top Tips best recipe for pizza sauce
- ❓ FAQ'S
- Some other delicious recipes you'll love:
- 📖 Recipe
- Homemade Tomato Sauce for Pizza
I’ll never forget the first time I learned to make this homemade pizza sauce in Italy with my mother-in-law. Standing in her sunlit kitchen, she showed me how to transform San Marzano tomatoes into the perfect pizza sauce recipe. This homemade pizza sauce is vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and sugar-free.
With just a few simple ingredients—garlic, olive oil, oregano, and a pinch of red pepper flakes—we created an easy pizza sauce that has become my go-to for every pizza night. The secret, nonna explained, was to keep it simple and let the flavors shine. The best part is: NO cooking is required!
Whenever we are in Italy at my in-law's, Saturday night is homemade pizza night! And when the kids were little, it became our tradition back home. This no-cook easy homemade pizza sauce is quick and simple to make, which is perfect for when you're craving easy homemade pizza and want to skip jarred sauces.
To make the sauce all you need is a bowl, a spoon, and a little love. Unlike many sauces, there’s no need to cook pizza sauce before using it—it cooks up beautifully in the oven on fresh homemade pizza dough.
The thick, rich texture coats the crust perfectly, making it ideal for everything from a classic Margherita to your favorite loaded toppings. For busy weeks, I love to make extra and freeze pizza sauce in portions, so it’s always ready when the craving for making homemade pizza strikes.
Whether you’re making homemade pizza for a family gathering or just a cozy night in, this easy pizza sauce will be your go-to recipe for a perfect pie every time.
To make my sauce, all you need is a great pizza dough recipe, a can of San Marzano tomatoes, and a few fresh herbs. This recipe is more than just a sauce—it’s a tradition, a memory, and a slice of Italy in every bite.
💖Why we love this tomato sauce for pizza
- Made from simple, fresh ingredients: The natural flavor of San Marzano tomatoes shines in this recipe. This is a fresh and bright pizza sauce.
- Quick and easy: This is an easy pizza sauce that’s ready in minutes, no complicated steps required.
- Customizable: Adjust the seasoning and heat with herbs or red pepper flakes to suit your taste.
- Perfect for meal prep: You can easily freeze pizza sauce for future pizza nights.
- Works with any dough: Pair it with your favorite pizza dough recipe or homemade pizza dough for amazing results.
🛒 Ingredients for pizza tomato sauce
Here are the ingredients you need to make this simple no cook red pizza sauce using canned tomato sauce (full recipe below on recipe card):
- San Marzano tomatoes: Try to find the best quality San Marzano DOP tomatoes or use a very good quality tomato passata. San Marzano has the best flavor and the better the quality, the less acidic the flavor is.
- Olive oil: I always use a very good quality extra-virgin olive oil. You don't need to use a lot and it has the most fruity flavor.
- Sea salt: Just a touch of sea salt brings out the flavors of the tomatoes.
- Dried oregano: I always add dried oregano to my pizza tomato sauce. It adds such a nice flavor.
- Garlic: I don't use a lot of garlic, but go ahead and use more, if you like it!
- Italian parsley: Fresh Italian parsley adds a touch of fresh flavor and vibrant color. Dried parsley would not work for this recipe, as it is lacking in flavor.
- Dried bay leaf: My mom adds a dried bay leaf to practically all of her sauces and many of her soups. It's in her Bolognese sauce too! Feel free to leave it out if you don't have any on hand.
- Chili flakes: Red hot pepper flakes are optional, but do add a nice touch of heat to the sauce. Add a pinch to taste for those who like a little heat. Totally optional, but delicious.
Note: this pizza sauce recipe is vegan as written, so you can even make some great dairy-free pizzas with this recipe
Equipment you need to make best pizza sauce recipe
- Cutting board: I love my bamboo boards and I have plastic cutting board. Feel free to use whichever type of cutting board you have.
- Sharp knife: Get out your sharpest knife to cut carrots, celery, and onions.
- Bowl: The sauce ingredients get mixed in a bowl.
- Wooden spoon: You could use a wooden spoon, or any sort of spoon, to stir to combine.
🍽️ How to make tomato sauce for pizza
Here is how to make this pizza sauce recipe (the full recipe is below!):
Gather all your ingredients.
- Step 1: Place the tomatoes in a large mixing bowl. If using whole plum tomatoes, you'll need to break them up with your hands. If they're not a very good quality San Marzano tomato, you'll probably have to remove the hard stem. If they're a good quality, it should be soft and will break up with your hands.
- Step 2: Add the rest of the ingredients to the bowl.
- Step 3: Stir to combine.
- Step 4: Let the flavors meld together for at least 30 minutes. You could even make the night before and store in a jar or an airtight container. Be sure to remove the bay leaf before spreading it on .
- Step 5: Spread it on your favorite pizza dough and make some PIZZA!
📃 NOTE: Recipe card with detailed instructions are below! Print it out for later!
What is an authentic Neapolitan pizza sauce
Neapolitan pizza sauce is from NAPOLI, which is Naples, Italy. In order to call something a true Neapolitan sauce, it has to follow strict guidelines that certify the pizza and sauce as authentic and that it is VPN: Verace Pizza Napoletana ("true Neapolitan pizza").
To make a traditional Neapolitan pizza sauce, you must use tomatoes grown in the Campania region. All the ingredients come from a specific place and are prepared in a specific way, for example the tomatoes need to be crushed by hand. You can check it all out at Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN) .
How to spread tomato sauce for pizza recipe
- Spoon: If you use a spoon to spoon some sauce onto the dough, just use the back of that spoon to spread the pizza.
- Ladle: You could also ladle out a portion of the sauce and use the back of the ladle to spread the sauce around the dough.
How much homemade pizza sauce for one pizza
- For a medium pizza: To measure precisely, it should be 1.5-2 ounces of sauce per medium pizza.
- Spread: Spread sauce arriving close to the edges of the crust, and leave 1/2-inch space around the crust without any sauce.
- Thin layer: You don't need to spread a lot of sauce, as it should be a thin layer and have some spots where the dough does peek through.
What to serve with easy pizza sauce
There are different ways to enjoy pizza tomato sauce. Here are some ideas:
- Homemade pizza >>>Spread it on a homemade pizza dough for a classic Margherita or your favorite topping combination.
- Garlic bread >>> Use the sauce as a dip for warm, buttery garlic bread or breadsticks.
- Calzone >>> Use the sauce inside or on the side for dipping these stuffed Italian pastries.
- Mozzarella Sticks >>> Serve the sauce as a warm, tangy dip for crispy fried mozzarella sticks.
- Meatballs >>> Pair with Italian-style meatballs for a hearty and satisfying dish.
- Vegetable Dippers >>> Offer fresh veggies like bell peppers, zucchini sticks, or roasted cauliflower to dip into the sauce.
- Arancini (Rice Balls) >>> Serve alongside these crispy stuffed rice balls for an authentic Italian pairing.
- Flatbreads or Focaccia >>> Drizzle the sauce over flatbreads or serve it with focaccia for dipping.
🫙 Leftover and Storing
- Refrigerate: Let the sauce cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container or jar with a tight lid. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freeze: As soon as the sauce cools down, you could store it in freezer-safe containers or zipped lock freezer bags and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Make sure you date the containers or bags. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using.
📃 Substitutions & Variations for best homemade pizza sauce
Herb Variations
- Swap dried oregano for fresh oregano for a brighter, more aromatic flavor.
- Use fresh basil instead of parsley to give the sauce a classic Italian touch.
Garlic Adjustments
- Roast the garlic before adding it to the sauce for a milder, sweeter flavor.
- Use garlic powder if you don’t have fresh garlic on hand.
Tomato Options
- If San Marzano tomatoes are unavailable, substitute with high-quality canned whole peeled tomatoes.
- For a chunkier sauce, use diced tomatoes.
Heat Variations
- Add more chili flakes for a spicy kick, or leave them out for a milder sauce.
- For a smoky flavor, include a pinch of smoked paprika.
Oil Alternatives
- Substitute extra virgin olive oil with regular olive oil or avocado oil if preferred.
Flavor Boosts
- Add a splash of red wine or balsamic vinegar for depth and complexity.
- Include a teaspoon of sugar if your tomatoes taste overly acidic.
Herb and Spice Twists
- Mix in dried thyme, rosemary, or marjoram for a unique flavor profile.
- For a subtle licorice flavor, add a touch of fennel seed.
Consistency Adjustments
- For a smoother sauce, blend the ingredients after simmering.
- To thicken, simmer longer, or add a tablespoon of tomato paste.
Custom Combinations
- For a Mediterranean twist, add a few chopped kalamata olives or capers.
- Include a touch of anchovy paste for umami richness.
☑️ Our Top Tips best recipe for pizza sauce
- Use Quality Tomatoes: Always choose the best quality San Marzano DOP Agro Sarnese-Nocerino tomatoes for their natural sweetness and low acidity, which create a perfectly balanced sauce.
- Don’t Skip the Olive Oil: Like with the tomatoes, it's important to use a really great quality olive oil. You don't need a lot of the olive oil, and the flavor will really enrich the flavor of the sauce.
- Season to Taste: Start with a pinch of salt and add more as needed. Customize the herbs, amount of garlic, and add in touch of red pepper flakes for heat.
- Make It Ahead: I highly suggest prepping the sauce 1-2 days ahead of time. The flavors do get better as they have time to meld together.
- Freeze for Convenience: The sauce is so delicious, that I highly recommend making a double batch. Portion out the sauce in airtight containers, or even in zip lock freezer bags for whenever you want to enjoy a quick pizza nights.
- Taste as You Go: Tasting the sauce at each step helps you achieve the perfect balance of flavors.
- Pair with Homemade Dough: This sauce shines best on freshly made dough—try it with our favorite pizza dough recipe for an authentic experience.
Pro tip: Feel free to adjust the sauce ingredients to your taste. This is a basic recipe base, but you could adjust it to make your very own perfect no-cook homemade pizza sauce recipe. Make a sauce using your combination of fresh herbs, garlic (or no garlic), and even add in some spice!
❓ FAQ'S
Yes, it is easy to double or triple this pizza sauce recipe.
Yes, you could make a fresh tomato sauce. Fresh Roma tomatoes would work the best. Use about 1½ – 1¾ pounds of fresh tomatoes. To prep tomatoes, with a knife, mark an "x" on the bottom of each tomato. Pop the tomatoes in a pot with boiling water and boil for 1-2 minutes. Carefully remove tomatoes and let them cool. As soon as they're cool to the touch, peel off the tomato skin and follow the rest of the recipe.
Pizza Sauce: Typically uncooked, made with pureed or crushed tomatoes, and seasoned simply with herbs and spices. It’s thicker and created to cook along with the pizza in the oven.
Marinara Sauce: Cooked and used as a versatile tomato-based sauce. It’s thicker than pizza sauce and often includes garlic, onions, and sometimes olive oil or wine, making it ideal for dipping or pairing with pasta.
This recipe makes enough sauce to make two large pizzas, or four medium-sized pizza. You could follow this as a guide:
For a thin layer of sauce: You can use about ½ cup of sauce per pizza, making enough for 4-5 pizzas.
For a thicker layer of sauce: Use ¾ cup per pizza, yielding enough for 3-4 pizzas.
Yes, this tomato sauce is keto, paleo, and Whole30 compliant because it contains only whole, unprocessed ingredients. Here's how it fits each diet:
Keto: The sauce is low in carbohydrates, as tomatoes are naturally low in carbs, and the remaining ingredients (olive oil, garlic, herbs) are keto-friendly. Be mindful of portion sizes due to the natural sugars in tomatoes.
Paleo: All ingredients are natural, unprocessed, and free from grains, legumes, dairy, or refined sugars, which aligns with the paleo diet.
Whole30: The recipe contains no added sugar, preservatives, or non-compliant additives, making it suitable for Whole30.
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📖 Recipe
Homemade Tomato Sauce for Pizza
Equipment
- 1 bowl
- 1 large wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 1 28-ounce San Marzano tomatoes, whole peeled tomatoes (look for DOP San Marzano dell'Agro Sarnese-Nocerino)
- 2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt
- 2-3 cloves garlic finely chopped or pressed, (or ¼ cup grated onions or finely minced)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ - ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes depending on heat preference
Instructions
- Tomatoes: Pour the tomatoes into a large bowl and using your hands, kitchen shears, or an immersion blender, break the tomatoes down so that they’re chunky but not completely liquid.
- Seasonings: Add the rest of the ingredients - garlic, salt, oregano, bay leaf, parsley - and stir until evenly distributed throughout the sauce. Taste and adjust as needed — more salt, more herbs, more garlic, etc.! Red hot chili flakes are optional, but you could add a pinch, if you like.
- Adjust flavor: Taste and adjust seasonings as you like it.
- Spread onto pizza: Discard bay leaf when ready to use the pizza sauce. Spread onto your favorite pizza dough recipe.
Nutrition Disclaimer
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information presented below is an approximation and may vary depending on the exact ingredients used.
Notes
- Tomatoes: Look for the best quality San Marzano tomatoes. The better the quality, the better the flavor of the sauce. There will be no need to add any sugar.
- Olive oil: Same thing for the olive oil. Use a very high quality extra-virgin olive oil.
- Garlic: If you're sensitive to garlic, you could leave it out. If you like more garlic, go ahead and add to your taste.
- Herbs: You could experiment with the herbs to your liking. I use a very good quality dried oregano my mother-in-law gave me it's from Calabria. I can even find now in Italian markets near me Sicilian oregano.
- Flavors rest: Once you stir the sauce together, let all the flavors come together for 30 minutes. You could even prep the night before. The longer they have time to combine, the better the flavor will be!
- Pizza: Make your own homemade dough or use a very good quality store-bought dough.
Lisa says
I just made this sauce. WOW! It is delicious! I added extra garlic and extra spice, because we like it extra spicy!
bella says
This turned out so good! It is actually a fairly simple recipe, my kids loved it.