Healthy, Homemade Pizza Sauce - This easy, quick, and healthy homemade pizza sauce is our family's go-to recipe for all of our pizza needs! NO tomato paste or fussy steps required!
A great pizza sauce recipe has eluded me for years.
I grew up with a dad that often made his own dough and sauce, so I'm a bit of a pizza snob.
I swear I've been through dozens of recipes, but I could never seem to find the right balance of sweetness, tang, and spice....until now. This sauce has the exact combination of spices and flavor that perfectly compliment any Italian pie, and we use it on every. Single. Pizza.
(See the bottom of the post for some great gluten-free crust options!)
Healthy Homemade Pizza Sauce
Ingredients
- 3 c. tomato puree not sauce, see Notes
- 1 t. extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large garlic clove minced
- 1 t. dried oregano
- 1 t. dried basil
- ¼ t. dried thyme
- 1 t. fennel seeds
- scant 1/2 t. salt
- 1 pinch granulated sweetener optional (I added it when originally posted, but do not add it anymore)
- ¼ t. red pepper flakes
- 1 t. red wine or apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a saucepan.
- Add the garlic, and saute just until fragrant (about 20 seconds).
- Add in the rest of the ingredients (except for the vinegar).
- Bring to a low bubble, and lower the heat to a simmer.
- Cook for 10-15 minutes.
- Remove from heat, and stir in the vinegar.
- Use as desired!
Notes
Nutrition
Notes:
I like using these strained tomatoes from Pomi for this recipe.
Some of the items I use in this recipe include:
Recipe Steps:
Sauteing the garlic...
Add in the tomato puree...
...and spices...
Simmer 10-15 minutes...
Add a splash of vinegar to brighten it up!
Try this delicious sauce with some of these alternative, gluten-free pizza crusts!
Quinoa Pizza Crust
Cauliflower Pizza Crust
Zucchini Pizza Crust
Red Lentil Pizza Crust
Coconut Flour Pizza Crust
Shared with: Homestead Blog Hop
Alice.
Wow , this really is a great pizza sauce! I was thinking how I would normally use basil, oregano and *rosemary* for spices. But that fennel seed adds a much more authentic flavor! (I skipped thyme because my husband gets headaches from thyme, but I imagine it would pair very well with fennel seeds.) We tried so many different store-bought brands and none was any good. I now have a recipe to make our own sauce. Thank You Lauren!
Wishing you good energy and strength!
Lauren
Thank you, Alice! I love this recipe, we use it whenever we make pizza, so I'm happy you enjoyed it too!
Jenna
This really is the best recipe Lauren, nothing beats it!!
DesiRae
This was perfect!!!
Teri Learmont
Just found this sauce in pinterest. Can I make this to can? What additional steps would I have to do?
Lauren
Hi Teri,
I'm sorry, I have no idea!
Elsje
I stumbled on your website through Forks over Knives. You guys and girls are such a blessing and your recipe so easy!!
Looking forward to that new cauliflower pizza crust recipe, njammiee!!
Susan Schwartz
I love your recipes! I love your easy-to-follow videos! Everything looks easy to make and all gluten-free! Thanks so much!
Lauren
Thank you so much Susan! 🙂
Ellen
I came across your blog via Pinterest. I am super stoked to try the quinoa crust and this sauce, but I am wondering how long this keeps after you make it? How long can left over sauce stay in the fridge before it goes bad?
Lauren
Hi Ellen,
The sauce lasts about 5-7 days in the fridge, but if you freeze it, it can last a month or so. 🙂
Dana
Just want to say, THANK YOU for the quinoa pizza crust recipe. It was a total success 🙂 Your homemade pizza sauce is delicious, too 🙂
Lauren
Yay!! I'm so happy Dana, thanks for following up on it! 😀
Dana
Thanks, Lauren! I didn't know there were written instructions (I had only seen your video). I am soaking the quinoa right now and can't wait to try making this pizza tonight! My son has so many allergies and so pizza is something he hasn't really been able to enjoy yet. He eats quinoa quite happily though so I'm very excited about your quinoa pizza crust! Thanks so much for the recipe 🙂 I will definitely be searching your blog for more!
Dana
Hello! I'm making your quinoa pizza crust today and was just wondering if there are any special instructions for soaking quinoa? I've never done this before... Thanks! 🙂
Lauren
Hi Dana,
The instructions for it are in the recipe post here: https://www.oatmealwithafork.com/2014/03/03/5-ingredient-quinoa-pizza-crust-vegan-primal-gluten-free/
If you're following the video, just follow the instructions I give there. Thanks, and I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Lauren
I just wanted to add to be sure to rinse the quinoa first, then soak it for 8-12 hours, then rinse it again and follow the remaining instructions. Thanks!
Kim
Thank you for another yummy and healthy recipe! This is the first place I look when I want a new recipe--thank you so much!
Lauren
Thank you so much Kim, what a great compliment to read! 🙂 Have a great night!
Rena
Yes if you see my latest post i posted the recipe and a picture of it. It tasted perfect. I'm sure it tastes better cooked down, but this faster way for me was perfect and it tasted delicious. I also used it as sauce when i made eggplant parmesan.
Rena
Just made this sauce but shortened it to take literally 5 seconds to make. Thanks!
Lauren
Did it taste ok? The cooking time reduces the sauce, making it thicker and more flavorful, so I wonder if it would taste as good without that step...
Adrienne @ Whole New Mom
Just made this with a few changes - great!!!
Lauren
Thanks Adrienne! It's the only pizza sauce I use, so I'm happy to hear you enjoyed it. 😀
Gabby @ the veggie nook
SO satisfying when a recipe you have been trying to perfect for ages finally happens. YAY 🙂
Mary Frances @ The Sweet Tooth Life
This is so easy! Pizzas are some favorites at our house and we go through sauce really quick. This recipe looks lovely and I am pinning it for future use ... I know the balance of spices will be delicious. My favorite toppings are spinach and artichoke with greek yogurt saucr, but with this tomato sauce, I don't think I'll be using it as much!
Anna @ Your Healthy Place
I am definitely a homemade marinara sauce convert. No more jarred salty sweet tomato sauce for me! Looks great Lauren xx
amber
Good morning lovely Lauren,
It seems we have so much in common in the culinary department! I love that. I too adore making my own pizza sauce and I had to laugh reading you post. It took me a while too to get that right balance of sweet/acid. And store bought is usually to high in salt and uses cane sugar, so I use honey in my recipe. It works perfectly.
Thanks for posting this recipe...I would have never seen that zucchini crust! I can't wait to try.
Thank you so much for your creative, healthy recipes.
Have a great weekend.
xo,
--Amber
Lauren
Thank you Amber! I'll have to check your recipe out as well. 😀 I hope you have a lovely weekend too sweetie.