How to Make Pizza Sauce

Pizzas are made by layering ingredients that will produce the best flavor. The base is made of dough, which is basted with a red sauce. This red sauce is the pizza sauce. It is the one that adds a kick to pizza and makes the dough softer when cooked. If you’re thinking about making homemade pizza, knowing how to make pizza sauce perfectly is a step you can’t afford to miss.

What is Pizza Sauce Made of?

Pizza sauce is made almost entirely out of tomatoes. This sauce can either be made at home or bought from a store. Homemade pizza sauce is always better because it is more natural. Because it doesn’t have to sit on store shelves for months, there is no need to add preservatives. Another advantage of knowing how to make pizza sauce at home is flavor. You can add any herbs and spices like garlic powder, parsley, basil, oregano, paprika, cayenne pepper and many more.

Health Benefits of Pizza Sauce

Pizza sauce made at home has several advantages for your health. Pizza sauce is not supposed to be cooked. This means it provides more nutrients. Tomatoes are well-known sources of lycopene, an antioxidant capable of many functions including diabetes, cancer and heart disease prevention. Another nutrient that can benefit diabetics is alpha-lipoic acid, which helps normalize the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood.

Pizza sauce also carries choline, a nutrient associated with preserving memory, improving sleep and aiding muscle movement. In addition, tomatoes are believed to be great sources of vitamins A and C, folic acid and carotene.

How to Make Pizza Sauce at Home

Learning how to make pizza sauce is one of the easiest things you can do. In fact, the most challenging part of the process is choosing which seasonings will bring out the best flavors. You will need:

• 15 ounces tomato sauce
• 6 ounces low-sodium tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon ground oregano
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper to taste

In a large bowl, combine all the above ingredients. Mix thoroughly together with a wooden spoon and spread on pizza dough.

How to Make Pizza Sauce with Fresh Tomatoes

For a healthier, more natural version of pizza sauce, you can use fresh tomatoes. You will need:

• 14 ounces fresh tomatoes, diced
• 1 tablespoon olive or sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon salt

Step 1:

Heat cooking oil and sauté garlic and oregano for 1-2 minutes.

Step 2:

Turn heat up to medium and add tomatoes, paprika, sugar and salt. Bring to a boil and turn heat down to low. Allow it to simmer for 1 hour to 1 hr 30 minutes.

Step 3:

Allow pizza sauce to cool and blend it for a smoother consistency.

You can learn how to make pizza sauce using either tomato-based products or fresh tomatoes. Sauce made with fresh produce is always best because of additional nutrients. Use pizza sauce to baste your dough and the rest to make delicious soups and stews.

Links:

New York Style Pizza Sauce – Serious Eats

5 minute pizza sauce – Comfort of Cooking