I’m not sure if this is a thing or if it’s just a thing for me. When it comes to red sauce, I am firmly rooted in two camps. For my pasta, I like my red sauce a little hunky chunky. But when it comes to pizza, I need that sauce silky and spreadable. Not thick and pasty or thin and watery, somewhere in between. This velvety Simple Pizza Sauce really delivers on the smoothness scale but still has dimension.

You can buy pre-made pasta sauce in a jar, but for me, it tends to taste too sweet or artificial and is notoriously heavy on the oregano. Here’s the thing, my homemade pizza sauce is basically as easy as dumping a can of the pre-mixed stuff in a sauce pot and simmering. With just a couple more simple steps. Hence the name, Simple Pizza Sauce. It really live up to its name.

Simple Pizza Sauce ingredients — All you need for this Simple Pizza Sauce is a can of Bianco DiNapoli crushed tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, salt and optional herbs and red pepper flakes. So stinkin’ simple yet luxuriously satisfying.

The secret is in the sauce, err actually it’s in the can

Since I am divulging one of life’s deepest secrets by sharing this game changing Simple Pizza Sauce recipe with you, I might as well let you in on the BIG secret. It’s really nothing about the recipe itself or the person standing at the stovetop. Despite how terrific of a cook you are, no doubt.

The secret is in the can, specifically a can of Crushed Bianco DiNapoli Tomatoes. Truthfully, you can just go straight from can to pizza with this brand and it will already be world’s beyond any other pizza sauce you’ve bought before. But, it can be nice to give the sauce a little bit more body and flavor before spreading it on that pizza dough base.

If you can’t find the Crushed Bianco DiNapoli Tomatoes, opt for a can that says San Marzano. This is a type of plum tomato, originating from the San Marzano region in Italy. These tomatoes are ideal for sauces because they contain less seeds and have a naturally sweet richness. I go for the crushed tomatoes here to keep it easy. However, if you end up with whole peeled tomatoes, you can give them a good squish in your hands or quick hit with an immersion blender to help break them down.

pizza sauce ingredients — Here it is, the secret sauce. If you see cans of Bianco DiNapoli tomatoes at your market, but them all! This brand is simply the best.

Biano DiNapoli canned crushed tomatoes — Here it is, the secret sauce. If you see cans of Bianco DiNapoli tomatoes at your market, but them all! This brand is simply the best.

3 steps is all it takes

Warm up a little olive oil, garlic and red pepper flakes (if you’re feeling spicy) in a sauce pot.
Stir in a can of Crushed Bianco DiNapoli Tomatoes, a bit of salt and basil.
Simmer to thicken.

sautéing garlic for pizza sauce — **Step 1** – Sautéing the garlic in olive oil for a few minutes brings out the natural aromas and sweetness of the garlic. This really boosts the flavor of the pizza sauce.

adding crushed tomatoes to pizza sauce — **Step 1** – Sautéing the garlic in olive oil for a few minutes brings out the natural aromas and sweetness of the garlic. This really boosts the flavor of the pizza sauce.

Now are you really gonna tell me you don’t have time for these 3 simple steps when you know gosh darn well it will only add an additional 3 minutes to you kitchen time? Especially when the results are a velvety, tart and savory pizza sauce that will have you slurping it up by the spoonful. And possibly pondering why you’ve been consuming mediocre pizza sauce for your entire life until now. It may even make you question other life choices and set you on a path of greatness you never knew possible, both in an out of the kitchen. Or you might just really enjoy the fresh flavors. Either way, it’s a win!

The trifecta of olive oil, garlic and basil is like the cherry tomato on top of this Simple Pizza Sauce

I am not entirely sure what makes Bianco DiNapoli Tomatoes taste so much more superior to other canned toms out there. But I suspect it has something to do with the fact that they are vine-ripened and organically grown in California. This checks out because I am personally in a better place after soaking up that golden CA sunshine too.

This all purpose red sauce can be used for anything from topping pizzas, tossing with pasta or as a side dipping sauce for Stromboli, calzones and garlic bread

This Simple Pizza Sauce is a real ace, a versatile base that’s delightful as-is or can be built on and made your own. Garlic freak? Add another clove. If Herb is your middle name, mix in more fresh or dried herbs to your liking. Spice things up with extra red pepper flakes or even stir in a some chili oil to give it some serious oomph. This Simple Pizza Sauce is your oyster. Just go easy and only add a little at a time because this sauce is pretty much perfect as-is. It truly doesn’t need messing with.

Pair this Simple Pizza Sauce with my Quick and Easy Pizza Dough and you are ready to pizza party

Use this recipe for everything from topping pizzas, tossing with pasta or as a side dipping sauce for garlic bread, Stromboli, calzones or Italian sandwiches. I even use it as a base for a creamy tomato soup. Just blend it with water or broth and some heavy cream and simmer away. Pair it with my Quick and easy Pizza Dough. Or if you’re gluten free, my friend Meg of This Mess is Ours has a undeniably delicious Gluten Free Pizza Dough option for ya. This Simple Pizza Sauce is a recipe that keeps on giving.

sautéing red pepper flakes with garlic and olive oil — I like to add a hit of red pepper flakes to spice things up a bit. Add them to the olive oil and garlic and sauté for a few moments, it almost toasts the red pepper flakes and adds a ton of dimension to the sauce.

Homemade pizza sauce — I like to add a hit of red pepper flakes to spice things up a bit. Add them to the olive oil and garlic and sauté for a few moments, it almost toasts the red pepper flakes and adds a ton of dimension to the sauce.

This Simple Pizza Sauce is full of tangy tomato flavor with an underlying earthiness from the garlic. Plus an herby freshness from basil and a little kick of spice if you add the red pepper flakes with just the right amount of salt to let all of those flavors shine.

Simple Pizza Sauce

Author: Becky Sue of Baking The Goods
Yield: 4 cups

Print Recipe

Description

This Simple Pizza Sauce uses basic, quality ingredients & comes together quick, a versatile red sauce that pairs with pizza, pasta, Stromboli & calzones.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic (- very thinly sliced or minced)
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (- optional)
28 ounce can Crushed Bianco DiNapoli Tomatoes (or San Marzano Tomatoes if you can't find Bianco brand)
4–6 sprigs fresh basil, oregano or both

Instructions

Warm olive oil in a medium saucepan over low heat. Once warm, add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add red pepper flakes, stir to infuse flavor.
Add the crushed tomatoes, basil and salt. Bring to a simmer over medium to medium-low heat.
Simmer for 15-ish minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly reduced and the flavors begin to deepen. To thicken, simmer for up to 45 minutes.
Serve on your favorite pizzas, pastas or alongside Strombolis, calzones or sandwiches for dipping. *Allow the sauce to cool before spreading on pizza dough.

Notes

*Store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month.

*This recipe makes enough pizza sauce for at least 4 large pizzas. If you end up with extra sauce, it can be used for pasta, as a dipping sauce for garlic bread or calzones, Strombolis and sandwiches! I even use it as a base for tomato soup. The possibilities are endless.

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