Rustic Italian Pizza Sauce
Equipment
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Saucepan, Medium
- Wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- 200 g Crushed Tomatoes canned
- 1 tablespoon Tomato Paste
- ½ teaspoon Dried Basil
- ½ teaspoon Dried Oregano
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper freshly ground
- ¼ teaspoon Granulated Sugar
- ¼ teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ⅛ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic.
- Cook for 1 minute while stirring continuously until fragrant.
- Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste.
- Stir until the tomato paste is completely incorporated.
- Add the dried oregano, dried basil, kosher salt, black pepper, sugar, and red pepper flakes.
- Stir until the seasonings are evenly distributed.
- Reduce the heat to low.
- Simmer the sauce uncovered for 20 minutes.
- Stir occasionally to prevent the sauce from catching on the bottom.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning when necessary.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat.
- Let the sauce cool before spreading it over pizza dough.
Notes & Wine Advice
Serving Suggestions
Spread the cooled sauce thinly over homemade pizza dough before adding cheese and other toppings. It also works as a dip for garlic bread, breadsticks, or our Golden Garlic Butter Knots. One batch provides enough sauce for four individual pizzas or one large sheet-pan pizza.Recipe Notes
Simmer the sauce uncovered so excess moisture can evaporate. This produces a concentrated sauce that is less likely to make pizza dough soggy. Let it cool before spreading it over raw dough, and avoid using an excessively thick layer.Variations
Add extra red pepper flakes for a spicier sauce or omit some for a milder version. Fresh basil can replace dried basil after cooking. Finely chopped onion, smoked paprika, fennel seeds, or a splash of balsamic vinegar can provide additional depth.Storage and Freezing
Refrigerate the cooled sauce in an airtight container for up to five days. The flavour becomes deeper after resting overnight. Freeze individual portions for up to three months, then thaw them in the refrigerator before reheating or spreading over pizza dough.Wine Advice
A medium-bodied Italian Chianti complements the tomatoes, garlic, oregano, and basil. When the finished pizza has mild vegetable or mozzarella toppings, a crisp Pinot Grigio provides a lighter alternative.Nutrition values
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About Rustic Italian Pizza Sauce
Rustic Italian pizza sauce combines crushed tomatoes, concentrated tomato paste, garlic, olive oil, oregano, basil, and chilli flakes. Brief stovetop cooking reduces the tomatoes and blends the seasonings, creating a rich sauce that spreads easily without making pizza dough unnecessarily wet. It works with thick, thin, whole-wheat, and vegetable-based pizza crusts.
This version has been recalculated from eight portions to four. It produces approximately one cup of sauce, enough for four individual pizzas or one generously sized sheet-pan pizza. The smaller batch is practical for a family pizza night and reduces the likelihood of unused sauce remaining in the refrigerator.
Why Cooked Pizza Sauce Works
Cooked pizza sauce develops a deeper flavour than a quick uncooked tomato mixture. Heating the garlic briefly in olive oil releases its aroma, while simmering concentrates the tomatoes and softens their acidity. Tomato paste contributes additional body, colour, and savoury intensity.
Reducing the moisture is particularly helpful for homemade pizza. A watery sauce can soak into raw dough and prevent the centre from baking properly. Simmering the mixture uncovered creates a thicker consistency that remains in place when toppings are added.
Balancing the Tomato Flavour
Canned crushed tomatoes provide a consistent texture and flavour throughout the year. Choose tomatoes without added herbs so the seasoning can be controlled. Tomato paste should be stirred thoroughly into the crushed tomatoes to prevent concentrated pockets from remaining in the finished sauce.
A small quantity of sugar balances the natural acidity without making Rustic Italian Pizza Sauce noticeably sweet. Oregano and basil provide familiar Italian aromas, while black pepper and red pepper flakes add warmth. Taste the sauce after simmering because tomato products differ in saltiness and acidity.
Using the Sauce on Different Crusts
Allow the sauce to cool before placing it on raw dough. Hot sauce may soften the dough and make shaping more difficult. Spread a thin, even layer and leave a narrow border uncovered around the edge. Too much sauce can overwhelm the crust and make the pizza difficult to slice.
Use it with our Sicilian Pizza Dough for a thick sheet-pan pizza or choose our Whole Wheat Pizza Dough for a nuttier base. It also works with the gluten-free Parmesan Zucchini Pizza Crust.
More Ways to Use the Sauce
This tomato herb sauce is not limited to pizza. Serve it warm as a dip for garlic bread, breadsticks, mozzarella sticks, or roasted vegetables. It can also be spooned over baked pasta, used in toasted sandwiches, or spread inside savoury rolls.
Browse the pizza collection for topping ideas, the sauce recipes for more homemade condiments, and the Italian recipe collection for complementary dishes. Fresh mozzarella, mushrooms, peppers, olives, onions, and basil all pair naturally with this sauce.
Storage and Freezing
Cool the sauce completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Refrigerate it for up to five days. Its flavour often improves after one night because the garlic and dried herbs have more time to infuse the tomatoes.
Freeze the sauce in individual portions for up to three months. Small containers or an ice-cube tray make it easy to thaw only the required quantity. Defrost it in the refrigerator and stir thoroughly before use. If it appears watery after thawing, simmer it briefly to restore the thicker consistency.
Follow current FDA safe food-handling guidance when cooling, refrigerating, freezing, and reheating homemade sauces. With concentrated tomato flavour, aromatic herbs, and controlled moisture, rustic Italian pizza sauce provides a dependable foundation for homemade pizza.