Best Homemade Pizza Sauce (Simple & Flavorful)

This easy pizza sauce takes just 15 minutes to prep before simmering on the stove to develop rich, classic flavor.

Pizza is one of those meals almost no one turns down—which is exactly what makes this recipe so great. It’s quick, simple, and healthier than store-bought pizza sauce, with no unnecessary additives. Made with pantry staples you likely already have on hand, this best homemade pizza sauce is perfect for busy families who don’t want an extra trip to the store. We even used it to make pizza on the smoker for a big game, and it was a huge hit!

Fresh pantry ingredients create a colorful, healthy pizza sauce made completely from scratch.

This homemade pizza sauce takes just 15 minutes to prepare, then slowly simmers on the stove for 3 hours to develop deep, rich flavor. The long simmer not only enhances the taste but also fills your home with an irresistible aroma throughout the day—one of the best perks of making pizza sauce from scratch.

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From Scratch Best Homemade Flavorful Pizza Sauce Ingredients

• Italian Strained Tomatoes- We use a jar of Italian strained tomatoes and tend to avoid cans when possible. These tomatoes have a beautiful color, a naturally sweet flavor, and low acidity, making them ideal for homemade pizza sauce.

  
  

• Oregano -A cornerstone of Italian cooking, oregano adds a peppery, robust flavor that gives the sauce its classic Italian character.

  
  

• Avocado Oil - We prefer avocado oil for cooking the aromatics because of its high smoke point. Unlike olive oil, avocado oil won’t break down as quickly at higher temperatures. We find the health benefits worth it, but extra virgin olive oil works well too.

  
  

• Thyme - Thyme adds an earthy flavor with wonderful aromatics that complement the tomatoes and herbs.

  
  

• Italian Seasoning - Use your favorite Italian seasoning blend to help lift and balance the flavors of the other herbs in the sauce.

  
  

• Crushed Red Pepper- Adds a quick kick of heat while staying true to Italian tradition. This ingredient is easy to adjust based on your heat preference.

  
  

• Tomato Paste - Acts as a thickening agent and adds a deep, concentrated tomato flavor. We prefer tomato paste from a jar when possible to avoid cans

  
  

• Grated Parmesan Cheese - Adds savory depth and a subtle saltiness that enhances the overall flavor of the sauce.

  
  

• Fresh Garlic Cloves - Fresh garlic brings bold aroma and vibrant flavor that forms the foundation of a great pizza sauce.

  
  

• Spanish Onion - Spanish onions break down easily when cooked and add a mild sweetness with savory aromatics.

  
  

• Grape Tomatoes - Add natural sweetness and help thicken the sauce while boosting fresh tomato flavor.

  
  

• Himalayan Pink Sea Salt -Has a mild flavor that enhances the tomatoes without overpowering them. Since Parmesan cheese adds saltiness, we use less salt overall.

  
  

• Sugar (Optional) - A small amount of sugar can enhance flavor and help neutralize acidity. We don’t add sugar, but some readers may prefer it depending on taste.

  
  

Garlic and Parmesan Cheese

How to Make This Simple and Healthy Pizza Sauce

Making the best homemade pizza sauce from scratch doesn’t have to be complicated. This recipe proves that with just a few simple ingredients and a little time on the stove, you can create a sauce that’s far more flavorful and healthier than anything from a store-bought jar. It’s made using pantry staples you likely already have, which means no last-minute grocery runs—even on busy days.

What we love most about this sauce is how easy it is to fit into real life. With only 15 minutes of prep, you can get it started and let it gently simmer while you go about your day. As it cooks, the sauce slowly develops deep, rich flavor and fills the house with the kind of aroma that makes everyone ask, “What’s for dinner?”

It all begins with building a strong flavor base. Softened onions and fragrant garlic create the foundation, followed by rich tomatoes and herbs that bring everything together. Once the sauce reaches a gentle simmer, time does the rest of the work—transforming simple ingredients into a thick, flavorful pizza sauce that’s perfect for homemade pizza, whether baked in the oven, grilled, or cooked on a smoker.

We start with aromatics in the pot. We heat up the avocado oil on medium in the pot for just a minute or two. then we add the onions until they become translucent, usually just three to four minutes.

We then add the garlic and stir well. We don't like to add the garlic too early or it will become bitter. We only let it sit for a minute.

Once the aromatics are ready, we add the strained tomatoes and tomato paste and stir. When the tomato sauce begins to bubble, we stir and add the rest of the herbs. Once again, we wait for the sauce to bubble, we stir again and lower the heat to simmer.

We let it simmer for one to three hours stirring occasionally.

The sauce builds complex flavors as it simmers.

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Ingredients

• 24 ounces of Italian Strained Tomatoes

• 6 ounces of Tomato Paste

• 1 tsp Himalayan Pink Sea Salt

• 1/2 tsp of Italian Seasoning

• 1/4 tsp of Thyme

• 1/2 tsp of Oregano

• 1/4 to 1/2 tsp of Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

• 2 - 4 Cloves of Garlic, minced

• 1/4 cup of Spanish Onion, finely chopped

• 1 1/2 to 2 tbs of Avocado Oil

• 1/4 of Parmesan Cheese

• 2 Grape Tomatoes, finely chopped

• 1 tsp of sugar (optional)

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Nothing is better than onions and garlic creating great aromatics.

Step 1: Start with the Aromatics

Heat the avocado oil in a pot over medium heat. After about 2 minutes, add the onions and cook until translucent, about 3–4 minutes.

Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute, stirring frequently, just until fragrant.

Step 2: Add the Strained Tomatoes and Tomato Paste

Stir in the strained tomatoes, combining them with the onions and garlic until well blended. Add the tomato paste and stir again until fully incorporated.

Let the sauce cook over medium heat until it begins to gently bubble.

Step 3: Blend the Rest of the Ingredients.

Stir in the remaining ingredients and mix until the sauce is well blended.

Allow the pizza sauce to remain on medium heat until it begins to bubble again.

Step 4: Simply Simmer

Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce gently simmer until ready to use. We typically simmer the sauce for 1–3 hours, stirring occasionally, to develop deep, rich flavor before spreading it on your favorite pizza crust.

Easy homemade pizza sauce made from scratch with simple pantry ingredients. A flavorful, healthy sauce perfect for any pizza crust.

This pizza is always a crowd pleaser!

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This is the sauce that all pizza lovers will enjoy. It is simple and healthy, yet has a lot of flavor. Your friends and family will ask for this sauce over and over again!

Quick Summary: Best Homemade Pizza Sauce (Simple & Flavorful)

This easy and flavorful pizza sauce is made from scratch using pantry staples like Italian strained tomatoes, fresh garlic, and aromatic herbs. With just 15 minutes of prep and a slow simmer of 1-3 hours, this sauce develops a rich, deep, flavor that's healthier and tastier than store-bought options.

Key Steps

1. Saute Aromatics: Cook onions and garlic in avocado oil for a flavorful base.

2. Add Tomatoes: Stir in strained tomatoes and tomato paste

3. Incorporate Herbs and Spices: Mix in oregano, thyme, Italian Seasoning, and crushed red pepper for a classic Italian taste.

4. Simmer to Perfection: Let the sauce gently simmer on low heat, stirring occasionally to build complex flavors.

Perfect for homemade pizzas, this sauce is simple, healthy, and sure to be a hit with family and friends!

Allergen Notice: This recipe may contain common allergens including, but not limited to, dairy, eggs, wheat, soy, nuts, shellfish, or sesame. Please review all ingredient labels carefully and consult a medical professional if you have food allergies.