On the hunt for an authentic pizza sauce? Look no further this amazing and simple tomato sauce made from canned whole tomatoes. The awesome flavor comes from the Italian San Marzano tomatoes, which are grown in Italy and are prized for their meaty texture and balanced flavor.
This delicious sauce is whipped up in about 5 minutes and requires no cooking!
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Once you try this uncooked sauce, you'll never go back to buying store-bought pizza sauces! It's so simple to make and the flavor is next level.
Using San Marzano tomatoes is an absolute must for this because they are the very best tomatoes to use for a classic pizza sauce recipe. The tomatoes offer a balanced flavor so your pizza Margherita will shine in all its simplicity.
This recipe makes enough sauce so that we can use it for pizza one day then as spaghetti sauce the next day. It also works like an all purpose marinara sauce for dipping these pizza rolls or these air fried tortellini bites.
Use this easy pizza sauce recipe to make these air fryer naan pizzas!
Why you'll love this authentic pizza sauce
- Easy recipe that uses simple ingredients like canned tomatoes
- Not just a pizza sauce! Can be used as a pasta sauce or dipping sauce
- Bursting with fresh tomato flavor that's sure to get rave reviews from friends and family.
Ingredients
- Canned Whole Peeled San Marzano tomatoes - this is to get the desired consistency. Crushed tomatoes can be substituted, as long as they are San Marzano.
- Fresh basil leaves
- Extra Virgin olive oil
- Dried oregano or Italian seasoning
- Fine sea salt
- A garlic clove is optional.
- Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste, if you want some heat.
Helpful equipment
I used a food processor to make the sauce.
You could use a blender, immersion blender, potato masher, food mill, or just your hands to crush the tomatoes.
How to make authentic pizza sauce
1) This is an overview of the recipe. Please scroll to the bottom of the post for precise amounts and printable recipe card.
2) Place tomatoes from the can in a food processor. Reserve the remaining sauce for another use.
3) Add the fresh basil leaves and pulse them along with the tomatoes until desired consistency. I pulsed mine about 5 times.
4) Pour sauce into a bowl and add the extra virgin olive oil, dried oregano (that's been crumbled with your fingers) and sea salt.
5) Stir until well combined into sauce.
Tips for the best authentic pizza sauce
To keep things authentic, skip the garlic powder and opt for fresh garlic. Tomato paste is also a no-no.
If you want to add fresh tomatoes, I recommend adding it the the pizza as a topping, either sliced or chopped.
Try a variety of fresh herbs such as fresh oregano or Italian parsley.
Since canned tomatoes have a little salt already added, you can make the sauce without additional salt. Just taste it, then add more if desired.
How to store
Keep the sauce in the refrigerator and use it within the week. Use an airtight container for best results.
Freeze in freezer safe containers for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
More Italian inspired recipe
📖 Recipe
Authentic Pizza Sauce
Ingredients
- 28 oz San Marzano whole peeled tomatoes
- 3-4 fresh basil leaves
- 4 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
Instructions
- Place tomatoes from the can in a food processor. Reserve the remaining sauce for another use.
- Add the fresh basil leaves and pulse them along with the tomatoes until desired consistency. I pulsed mine about 5 times.
- Pour sauce into a bowl and add the extra virgin olive oil, dried oregano (that's been crumbled with your fingers) and sea salt.
- Stir until well combined into sauce.
Notes
Nutrition
Adapted from this recipe.
Mom
The flavor was amazing!