The Perfect Homemade Pizza Sauce

There's nothing better than a pizza with a rich, flavorful tomato sauce. While jarred pizza sauce is convenient, nothing compares to the fresh taste of sauce you make yourself. Homemade pizza sauce only takes about 30 minutes to prepare and allows you to control the ingredients. You can adjust the spices, herbs, and seasonings to create a sauce with your perfect flavor profile. Here is a recipe for the best homemade pizza sauce along with tips for making it fresh, nutritious, and delicious. 

Ingredients:

- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes 

- 6 cloves garlic, minced

- 1⁄4 cup extra virgin olive oil

- 1 Tbsp dried oregano

- 1 Tbsp dried basil

- 1⁄2 Tbsp red pepper flakes (optional, adjust to taste)

- 1⁄2 Tbsp salt

- 1⁄4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Nutritional Value:

One cup of this homemade pizza sauce contains:

- Calories: 138

- Total Fat: 9g 

- Sodium: 651mg

- Total Carbs: 13g 

- Dietary Fiber: 4g

- Protein: 3g

As you can see, it's low in calories but high in natural nutrients from the fresh tomatoes and olive oil. There are no preservatives or artificial ingredients. You control the salt and spice levels to suit your tastes.

Preparation: (approximately 30 minutes)

1. Drain and rinse the crushed tomatoes. Transfer them to a food processor or blender and pulse until mostly smooth, leaving some chunks for texture. You want an thick, reddish puree. 

2. In a heavy pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 2 minutes, being careful not to burn it. 

3. Add the pureed tomatoes, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if using), and salt. Stir to combine. 

4. Let the sauce simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened to your desired consistency. The longer it simmers, the richer the flavor will be. 

5. Remove from heat and stir in the fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Some like to add a splash of red wine or balsamic vinegar.

6. Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for several months. 

Making your own pizza sauce from fresh ingredients results in a sauce with maximum flavor and nutrition. Feel free to play around with the recipe, substituting different fresh herbs or vegetables. roasted red peppers, mushrooms, or sundried tomatoes would give the sauce an extra dimension of flavor. For a lighter sauce, use canned crushed tomatoes and skip the olive oil altogether. However you doctor it up, your homemade pizza sauce will be the star ingredient that elevates any pizza or flatbread. Enjoy!