PIZZA SAUCE RECIPE: Italian Pizza Sauce Recipe

Italian Pizza Sauce Recipe

Classic, Simple & Full of Flavor

An authentic Italian pizza sauce proves that less is more. Made with high-quality tomatoes, olive oil, and a few classic seasonings, this sauce delivers the pure, bold flavor found in traditional Italian pizzerias. No heavy spices, no sugar overload—just clean tomato taste that cooks beautifully on the pizza.

This recipe works for Neapolitan, Roman, and classic Italian-style pizzas.

Why This Italian Pizza Sauce Works

Authentic Italian Flavor – Simple, traditional ingredients
No Artificial Additives – Fresh, clean taste
Versatile – Suitable for cooked or uncooked use
Pizzeria-Quality – Used by professionals worldwide

Ingredients

1 can (14–15 oz / 400–425 g) whole peeled tomatoes (San Marzano preferred)
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
¾–1 tsp sea salt (to taste)
½ tsp dried oregano (optional, traditional in some regions)
Optional:
- 1 small garlic clove, finely grated
- Fresh basil leaves, torn by hand

Traditional note: Many Italian pizza sauces contain only tomatoes and salt. Everything else is optional and regional.

Instructions (Classic Uncooked Method)

Crush the Tomatoes
Place tomatoes in a bowl and crush by hand or pulse briefly in a food processor until smooth but still textured.
Season Lightly
Add salt, olive oil, and optional oregano or garlic. Stir gently.
Rest the Sauce
Let rest at room temperature for 15–30 minutes to allow flavors to develop.
Use on Pizza
Spread a thin layer over prepared dough before adding toppings.

Optional Cooked Italian Sauce Version

For a slightly richer flavor:

Heat olive oil gently in a saucepan.
Add tomatoes and salt.
Simmer on low for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Cool before using.

Pro Tips for Authentic Italian Results

Use high-quality tomatoes – They are the star
Avoid sugar – Good tomatoes don’t need it
Less sauce is more – Prevents soggy crust
Add basil after baking for best aroma

Best Pizza Styles for This Sauce

Margherita pizza
Neapolitan pizza
Roman thin-crust pizza
Wood-fired or stone-baked pizza

Storage

Refrigerator: Up to 3 days (best fresh)
Freezer: Up to 2 months (uncooked version freezes best)

Why This Recipe Is Truly Italian

Italian pizza sauce focuses on ingredient quality, balance, and restraint. Instead of overpowering spices, this sauce enhances the dough, cheese, and toppings—exactly how pizza is meant to taste in Italy.

Final Thoughts

If you want pizza that tastes like it came straight from an Italian pizzeria, this sauce is your foundation. Simple, authentic, and endlessly reliable.

OTHER RECIPES

A great pizza sauce recipe to try !

Pizza Sauce Ingredients:

1 can (500) gr. crushed tomato,
1 can (4 oz.) tomato paste,
1 tablespoon minced garlic,
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil,
2 teaspoons sugar,
1 tablespoon chopped onion,
1 tablespoon olive oil,
2 teaspoons dried oregano,
1/2 teaspoon chili powder,
salt and pepper to taste.

Pizza Sauce INSTRUCTIONS:

Saute the garlic and onion in the olive oil for 5 minutes and add the other ingredients except the basil. Simmer the pizza sauce for about 15-20 minutes.

Add the chopped basil 5 minutes before the sauce is ready.

If during the simmering, the sauce becomes too thick, add some water.

This pizza sauce recipe yields enough pizza sauce for about 4 medium pizzas.

Cooking tip:

With the same ingredients you can prepare a pizza sauce without cooking.

Simply blend briskly all the ingredients with a and let the sauce sit for half hour before using, in order to blend flavors.

For the uncooked pizza sauce you can substitute the chopped onion with onion powder.

If you chose to make the cooked pizza sauce, let it cool down a little bit before using it, otherwise the top of the pizza will get cooked much faster than the bottom if the pizza sauce is applied when it is still hot....and the pizza sauce recipe is ready ! southwestern-oil-sauce.

Italian Pizza Sauce Recipe Video :

PIZZA SAUCE RECIPE