• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Oatmeal with a Fork
  • RECIPES
  • FAVORITES
  • ABOUT ME
  • SUBSCRIBE
menu icon
go to homepage
  • RECIPES
  • FAVORITES
  • ABOUT ME
  • SUBSCRIBE
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • RECIPES
    • FAVORITES
    • ABOUT ME
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Favorites

    Healthy Homemade Pizza Sauce - No Tomato Paste!

    Published: Mar 11, 2019 · Modified: Nov 6, 2022 by Lauren · This post may contain affiliate links · 29 Comments

    Jump to Recipe  ↓

    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!

    Healthy pizza sauce made without tomato paste

     

    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.

    Quick and easy pizza sauce with fennel

    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 pizza sauce made without tomato paste
    Print Recipe
    4.64 from 11 votes

    Healthy Homemade Pizza Sauce

    The absolute best pizza sauce recipe.
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time15 mins
    Total Time20 mins
    Course: Sauces
    Cuisine: Pizza, Tomato
    Servings: 1 cup
    Calories: 115kcal
    Author: Lauren Goslin

    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 facts are based on using red wine vinegar. WW SmartPoints: 5

    Nutrition

    Sugar: 12.1g | Fiber: 5.3g | Calories: 115kcal | Fat: 2.3g | Protein: 4.4g | Carbohydrates: 23.6g

    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

    Sugar-free vegan pizza sauce recipe

    Shared with: Homestead Blog Hop

     

    You may also like

    • Fresh Tomato Marinara or Pizza Sauce
      Fresh Tomato Marinara or Pizza Sauce
    • Healthy Homemade Chocolate Sauce - NO Sugar
      Healthy Homemade Chocolate Sauce - NO Sugar
    • Vegan Red Lentil Dal (No Tomato or Coconut)
      Vegan Red Lentil Dal (No Tomato or Coconut)
    • The Easiest Dairy-Free Tomato Soup
      The Easiest Dairy-Free Tomato Soup
    « Healthy Pancakes for Two (No Buttermilk or Eggs)
    Addictive Crunchy Peanut Butter Granola »
    1.8K shares
    • Share
    • Yummly

    Filed Under: Favorites, Sauces & Dressings

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Alice.

      December 01, 2020 at 6:03 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        December 03, 2020 at 5:18 pm

        Thank you, Alice! I love this recipe, we use it whenever we make pizza, so I'm happy you enjoyed it too!

        Reply
    2. Jenna

      August 04, 2017 at 11:13 am

      This really is the best recipe Lauren, nothing beats it!!

      Reply
    3. DesiRae

      July 22, 2017 at 6:41 pm

      This was perfect!!!

      Reply
    4. Teri Learmont

      February 13, 2016 at 12:17 pm

      Just found this sauce in pinterest. Can I make this to can? What additional steps would I have to do?

      Reply
      • Lauren

        February 14, 2016 at 8:35 am

        Hi Teri,

        I'm sorry, I have no idea!

        Reply
    5. Elsje

      March 16, 2015 at 3:02 am

      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!!

      Reply
    6. Susan Schwartz

      November 16, 2014 at 3:00 pm

      I love your recipes! I love your easy-to-follow videos! Everything looks easy to make and all gluten-free! Thanks so much!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        November 16, 2014 at 4:37 pm

        Thank you so much Susan! 🙂

        Reply
    7. Ellen

      June 08, 2014 at 8:25 pm

      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?

      Reply
      • Lauren

        June 08, 2014 at 8:58 pm

        Hi Ellen,

        The sauce lasts about 5-7 days in the fridge, but if you freeze it, it can last a month or so. 🙂

        Reply
    8. Dana

      May 24, 2014 at 8:17 pm

      Just want to say, THANK YOU for the quinoa pizza crust recipe. It was a total success 🙂 Your homemade pizza sauce is delicious, too 🙂

      Reply
      • Lauren

        May 24, 2014 at 8:34 pm

        Yay!! I'm so happy Dana, thanks for following up on it! 😀

        Reply
    9. Dana

      May 24, 2014 at 3:57 pm

      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!

      Reply
    10. Dana

      May 24, 2014 at 9:58 am

      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! 🙂

      Reply
      • Lauren

        May 24, 2014 at 10:19 am

        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! 🙂

        Reply
      • Lauren

        May 24, 2014 at 10:23 am

        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!

        Reply
    11. Kim

      March 04, 2014 at 7:54 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        March 04, 2014 at 8:47 pm

        Thank you so much Kim, what a great compliment to read! 🙂 Have a great night!

        Reply
    12. Rena

      July 10, 2013 at 11:53 am

      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.

      Reply
    13. Rena

      July 10, 2013 at 12:58 am

      Just made this sauce but shortened it to take literally 5 seconds to make. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        July 10, 2013 at 9:36 am

        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...

        Reply
    14. Adrienne @ Whole New Mom

      July 05, 2013 at 5:59 pm

      Just made this with a few changes - great!!!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        July 05, 2013 at 6:23 pm

        Thanks Adrienne! It's the only pizza sauce I use, so I'm happy to hear you enjoyed it. 😀

        Reply
    15. Gabby @ the veggie nook

      June 12, 2013 at 8:33 pm

      SO satisfying when a recipe you have been trying to perfect for ages finally happens. YAY 🙂

      Reply
    16. Mary Frances @ The Sweet Tooth Life

      June 08, 2013 at 4:54 am

      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!

      Reply
    17. Anna @ Your Healthy Place

      June 07, 2013 at 6:56 pm

      I am definitely a homemade marinara sauce convert. No more jarred salty sweet tomato sauce for me! Looks great Lauren xx

      Reply
    18. amber

      June 07, 2013 at 6:54 am

      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

      Reply
      • Lauren

        June 07, 2013 at 7:38 am

        Thank you Amber! I'll have to check your recipe out as well. 😀 I hope you have a lovely weekend too sweetie.

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi there, I'm Lauren Goslin, and I've been a food blogger for over ten years. My goal with this blog is to show you healthy, lower sugar recipes that my family and I enjoy.

    More about me →

    Some of our Favorite Breads

    • Homemade Healthy Monkey Bread (NO Bundt Pan!)
    • Our FAVORITE Berry Muffins (Low Sugar!)
    • 4-Ingredient Spelt Flour Tortillas
    • Sugar-Free, Corn-Free Sweet Potato 'Cornbread'

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    AboutContactPrivacy Policy

    COPYRIGHT ©2022, OATMEAL WITH A FORK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

    1.8K shares