Homemade Pizza Sauce

Making this pizza sauce is almost as easy as opening a jar, and it's so much more delicious than anything you can buy! It's reminiscent of that classic “by-the-slice” flavor. Just stir together a can of crushed tomatoes, olive oil, grated garlic, balsamic vinegar, and seasonings. No need for any sugar—the natural sweetness of the tomatoes and the balsamic vinegar add just the right balance of flavor. Simplicity at its finest! Stir any extra sauce into pasta bakes, dunk mozzarella sticks in it, or freeze it for future pizza pies.

What is the difference between pizza sauce and marinara sauce?

Marinara sauce, also known as red sauce, is a tomato-based sauce that's simmered for a long time to deepen the rich flavor and to thicken it so it will cling to pasta. Generally, pizza sauce does not require any prior cooking: It just heats up on the surface of the dough. The slightly thinner sauce is easy to spread in an even layer over pizza dough, and it's very lightly seasoned so it won't overpower the other ingredients. 

Can homemade pizza sauce be made ahead?

This tomato sauce can be stirred together and stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. After that, the raw garlic becomes too potent. Think of this sauce as more of a marinade for the tomatoes; it shouldn’t sit for too long!