Making homemade pizza sauce with tomato paste is one of the easiest ways to create a rich, flavorful sauce in just a few minutes. With a handful of pantry staples, you can skip the store bought jar and make a sauce that tastes fresh, bold, and perfectly seasoned.
This recipe is thick enough to spread easily over pizza dough without making the crust soggy. It also works well for homemade pizza nights, pizza rolls, calzones, breadsticks, and dipping sauce.
Whether you're making a classic cheese pizza or loading it with your favorite toppings, this simple pizza sauce comes together quickly and delivers great flavor every time.
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Why This Works
This homemade pizza sauce is a favorite because it is simple, inexpensive, and made with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
- Ready in about 5 minutes.
- Thick texture that stays in place on pizza dough.
- Made with tomato paste for concentrated tomato flavor.
- Easily customize the seasonings to your taste.
- No cooking required before using.
- Great for homemade pizza, calzones, stromboli, and dipping sauce.
- If you're looking for a good pizza dough recipe, I really like Bobby Flay Pizza Dough or sometimes I just grab some pizza dough Momma Cozzi brand at Aldi.
Ingredients Needed
- Tomato Paste - The star ingredient that creates a rich, concentrated tomato flavor and gives the sauce its thick consistency.
- Water - Helps thin the tomato paste into a smooth, spreadable pizza sauce.
- Olive Oil - Adds richness and helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
- Italian Seasoning - A blend of herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary that gives the sauce classic Italian flavor.
- Garlic Powder - Provides savory garlic flavor without the need for fresh garlic.
- Onion Powder - Adds a subtle sweetness and depth to the sauce.
- Salt - Enhances all of the flavors.
- Black Pepper -Adds a mild kick and balances the richness.
How to Make Pizza Sauce with Tomato Paste
In a medium bowl, combine the tomato paste and water until smooth.
Add the olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and sugar if using.
Whisk everything together until well combined and smooth.
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings if needed. Add a little more water if you prefer a thinner consistency.
Spread the sauce over your prepared pizza dough, add your favorite toppings, and bake according to your pizza recipe.
That's it, pretty easy and a good way to use up tomato paste!
Pro Tips for Pizza Sauce
- Use good quality tomato paste for the best flavor. Since it is the main ingredient, the quality makes a noticeable difference.
- Allow the sauce to sit for about 10 to 15 minutes before using. This gives the dried herbs time to soften and the flavors time to blend together.
- If you enjoy a stronger herb flavor, add a little extra oregano or basil.
- For a spicy pizza sauce, stir in a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, simply whisk in a teaspoon or two of water until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Double the recipe and keep extra sauce on hand for future pizza nights.
Storage
Store leftover pizza sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
For longer storage, freeze the sauce in small freezer safe containers or ice cube trays for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.
Give the sauce a quick stir before spreading it on pizza since some separation may occur during storage.
Pizza Recipes to Use With Pizza Sauce
This pizza sauce is incredibly versatile and works with much more than traditional pizza.
Pizza Pasta Casserole, Ham and Pineapple Pizza, Air Fryer Pizza Bagels, Pizza Pull-Apart Bread, and Air Fryer Pepperoni Pita Pizzas
Other recipes to try
- Homemade cheese pizza
- Pepperoni pizza
- Veggie pizza
- Meat lovers pizza
- Calzones
- Stromboli
- Pizza rolls
- French bread pizza
- English muffin pizzas
- Breadsticks
- Mozzarella sticks
- Garlic knots
- Pizza bagels
Recipe FAQs
Yes. In fact, the flavor often improves after resting in the refrigerator for several hours as the herbs have time to blend with the tomato paste.
You can, but the texture will be much thinner. Tomato paste creates the thick consistency that works best for homemade pizza.
No. This recipe is designed to be mixed together and spread directly onto pizza dough before baking.
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Pizza Sauce with Tomato Paste
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Total Time: 5 - 10 min
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Blend
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Dairy-Free
Description
Make the best homemade Pizza Sauce with Tomato Paste in just 5 minutes using simple pantry ingredients. This easy, flavorful pizza sauce is perfect for homemade pizzas, calzones, and more.
Ingredients
- 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
- ½ cup water (add more if you prefer a thinner sauce)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon sugar or honey (optional, to balance acidity)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Whisk together the tomato paste and water until smooth.
- Stir in the olive oil and seasonings.
- Let the sauce sit for 10 to 15 minutes so the dried herbs can hydrate and the flavors meld.
- Spread over your pizza dough and add your favorite toppings.
Notes
Like a thicker sauce? Use less water.
Prefer a thinner sauce? Add another tablespoon or two of water.
Fresh minced garlic can be used instead of garlic powder.
A pinch of Parmesan or a splash of balsamic vinegar adds extra depth of flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
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