My go-to pizza sauce comes together in under five minutes with pantry staples. No cooking needed — just blend and spread.
| Prep Time | 5 minutes |
|---|---|
| Cook Time | 0 minutes |
| Total Time | 5 minutes |
| Servings | 8 (makes about 1 cup) |
| Method | No Cook |
Why This Pizza Sauce Works
Raw crushed tomatoes keep the bright, fresh flavor that cooked-down sauces lose. San Marzano tomatoes bring natural sweetness with low acidity. A single tablespoon of olive oil gives the sauce body without making it greasy.
Pizza Sauce Ingredients
- 1 can (28 oz) San Marzano crushed tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
How to Make Pizza Sauce
- Open the can of San Marzano crushed tomatoes and pour into a medium bowl.
- Add the minced garlic, olive oil, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
- Stir everything together until fully combined.
- Taste and adjust salt or red pepper flakes as needed.
- Use immediately or refrigerate for up to one week.
Tips for the Best Pizza Sauce
San Marzano tomatoes make a real difference here. Their natural sweetness means you skip added sugar. If your tomatoes are chunky, crush them by hand in the bowl before mixing. For a smoother texture, pulse the finished sauce twice in a blender.
Garlic intensity matters. Fresh minced garlic gives sharp bite. For a milder flavor, grate the garlic on a microplane instead of mincing. The finer the garlic, the more evenly it distributes through the sauce.
Storage
Store leftover pizza sauce in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to seven days. The sauce also freezes well — pour into an ice cube tray, freeze solid, then transfer the cubes to a freezer bag. Each cube equals about two tablespoons, perfect for a single personal pizza.
Common Questions
Can I use diced tomatoes instead of crushed?
Yes, but the texture will be chunkier. Pulse diced tomatoes a few times in a blender or food processor to break them down. Whole peeled tomatoes also work — crush them by hand directly in the bowl.
Does pizza sauce need to be cooked before using?
No. Raw pizza sauce spreads easily and cooks during baking. Pre-cooking can make the sauce too thick and concentrated. The oven heat does all the work for you.
How much pizza sauce do I need per pizza?
Use about 3-4 tablespoons for a 12-inch pizza. Spread it thin — a light coating lets the crust stay crisp. Too much sauce makes the center soggy before the crust can set.
Can I add fresh basil to pizza sauce?
Add fresh basil after baking, not before. Heat destroys the bright flavor and turns the leaves black. Tear a few fresh leaves over the finished pizza for the best result.
This pizza sauce has been my kitchen staple for years. The recipe takes less time to make than heating a jar from the store. Save this recipe and make it for your next pizza night.