Best Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe: Easy, Rich & Irresistibly Flavorful Recipe
This Best Homemade Pizza Sauce is a rich, easy-to-make, and irresistibly flavorful sauce made from whole peeled tomatoes, fresh basil, roasted red chili flakes, and olive oil. Slow-simmered to develop deep flavors and perfect texture, it elevates any pizza with a rustic and aromatic base.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: About 2 cups of pizza sauce 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Sauce Base
- 2 cans Whole Peeled Tomatoes – use canned for the best texture
- 1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon Sea Salt (kosher salt works well too)
For Flavor & Aroma
- 1/5 cup Fresh Basil Leaves, torn by hand
- 2 teaspoons Roasted Red Chili Flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon Dried Rosemary (optional; fresh herbs may be used)
Optional Balancing Ingredient
- 1 teaspoon Sugar (skip if tomatoes are sweet)
Instructions
- Prepare the tomatoes: Open 2 cans of whole peeled tomatoes and crush them gently by hand or with a masher, leaving some small chunks for a rustic texture.
- Mix in seasonings: Stir in 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary (optional), and 2 teaspoons roasted red chili flakes.
- Simmer the sauce: Place the saucepan over low heat, cover, and let the sauce simmer gently for 20 minutes to develop flavor.
- Add fresh basil: Tear about 1/5 cup fresh basil leaves by hand to release aroma and stir into the sauce.
- Season the sauce: Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon sea salt, add 1 teaspoon sugar if desired for sweetness, and adjust chili flakes according to spice preference.
- Thicken the sauce: Remove the lid and continue simmering until the sauce thickens to your preferred consistency.
- Final taste and adjustments: Give the sauce a final taste and tweak the seasoning if needed before removing from heat.
Notes
- Allow the sauce to cool completely before using or storing.
- Freeze leftover sauce in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
- Adjust the amount of chili flakes to control the spice level.
- Using fresh herbs will give a different aroma; dried herbs are optional.
Keywords: pizza sauce, homemade pizza sauce, easy pizza sauce recipe, tomato sauce, Italian sauce, pizza recipe base, stovetop pizza sauce
