This Simple Pizza Sauce uses basic, quality ingredients & comes together quick. It's a versatile red sauce that pairs perfectly with pizza, pasta, Stromboli & calzones.
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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. This velvety Simple Pizza Sauce 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.
The secret is in the sauce, err, 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.
San Marzano tomatoes are the Goods
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.
Just 3 steps to make Simple Pizza Sauce
- 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.
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 has you 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 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 Simple Pizza Sauce with my Quick and Easy Pizza Dough
Use this recipe for everything from topping pizzas, tossing with pasta or as a side dipping sauce for garlic bread, focaccia, 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.
More Baking The Goods recipes to pair with this Pizza Sauce recipe
If you plan ahead, use this 72 Hour Pizza Dough from Baking Steel as your base. It sounds complicated but really only takes a couple of minutes to make. For the bulk of that 72 hours the pizza dough is developing flavor and texture in the fridge. Or for a faster pizza dough that's ready in under 2 hours, use it with my Quick and easy Pizza Dough. If you're gluten free, my friend Meg of This Mess is Ours has a undeniably delicious Gluten Free Pizza Dough option for ya.
Whatever your base, this versatile Simple Pizza Sauce has you covered, just hopefully not your white shirt.
This Quick & Easy Pizza Sauce is so versatile & makes a for delectable side dipper
Recipe
PrintRecipe
Simple Pizza Sauce
- Yield: 4 cups
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)
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ½ 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.
*You can absolutely sub in dried herbs here. Just add a scant amount at a time and season to taste.
