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no-yeast pizza crust

Easy Pizza Sauce with Tomato Paste

This easy pizza sauce starts with tomato paste, a few simple seasonings, and ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. It takes just a few minutes to make and has a rich, savory tomato flavor that is perfect for homemade pizza.
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Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 7
Course: dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup 250 g tomato paste
  • ¾ cup 180 ml water
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 1½ teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder or 2 cloves fresh garlic
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt plus more to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon chili flakes optional (I don't always have these but use them when I do)

Method
 

Add all ingredients to a small saucepan and whisk until smooth.
    Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat.
      Cook for 5–8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
        Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
          Allow to cool slightly before spreading over pizza crust.
            Use approximately 2–3 tablespoons per personal-sized pizza.
              Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze in small portions for later use.
                Combine the ingredients
                1. Add the tomato paste, water, oil, oregano, basil, garlic, sugar, salt, black pepper, and chili flakes, if using, to a small saucepan.
                2. Whisk everything together until smooth.
                Simmer the sauce
                1. Place the saucepan over medium-low heat and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
                2. Cook for 5–8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
                3. You don't need to cook it for a long time. The short simmer is enough to mellow the tomato paste and allow all those lovely garlic and herb flavors to come together.
                Taste and adjust
                1. Give the sauce a taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
                2. If it tastes a little too acidic, add another ½ teaspoon of sugar.
                3. If it is thicker than you'd like, add a splash of water.
                4. If you want a stronger herb flavor, add a little more oregano or basil.
                5. And if you like your pizza with a little heat, add more chili flakes.
                Let it cool slightly
                1. Let the sauce cool for a few minutes before spreading it onto your pizza crust.
                2. For personal-sized pizzas, about 2–3 tablespoons of sauce per pizza is plenty.
                3. You want enough sauce to cover the crust without drowning it.

                Notes

                Tips for the Best Homemade Pizza Sauce
                 

                Don't use too much sauce

                This is especially important when you're using a homemade no-yeast crust. A generous but thin layer of sauce will give you plenty of flavor without making the middle of the pizza soggy.

                Taste your tomato paste

                Different brands of tomato paste can vary in acidity and saltiness. Taste the sauce before adding additional salt or sugar.

                Fresh garlic or garlic powder?

                Both work beautifully.
                Fresh garlic gives the sauce a stronger, more pronounced garlic flavor, while garlic powder makes the sauce especially quick and easy.

                Make it your own

                This is a very forgiving recipe. Add a little extra oregano, basil, garlic, black pepper, or chili flakes until it tastes just right to you.