Description
Aurelio’s Pizza Sauce is a flavorful, homemade tomato sauce perfect for pizzas. Made with crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, olive oil, and a blend of herbs and spices, this sauce simmers to develop rich, savory flavors. Optional Parmesan adds a cheesy depth, and blending offers a smooth consistency. Ideal for enhancing any pizza or Italian dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Seasonings
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp fennel seeds (optional)
Optional
- 1 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Heat Olive Oil: Warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a pot over medium heat to prepare for sautéing the tomato paste and garlic.
- Sauté Garlic: Add garlic powder or fresh garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Cook Tomato Paste: Stir in 2 tablespoons of tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to deepen its flavor.
- Add Tomatoes: Pour in the 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes and stir thoroughly to combine with the tomato paste mixture.
- Season Sauce: Add sugar, salt, dried oregano, dried basil, onion powder, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and optional fennel seeds. Stir well to incorporate all seasonings.
- Simmer Sauce: Lower the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Let the sauce cook uncovered for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching and to let flavors meld.
- Add Parmesan Cheese: If desired, stir in 1 tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese to add a rich, savory note.
- Cool Down: Turn off the heat and allow the sauce to cool to room temperature.
- Blend for Smoothness: Optionally, blend the sauce using a blender or immersion blender until smooth, according to your preference.
- Store or Use: Use the sauce immediately on your pizza or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for future use.
Notes
- Simmering the sauce allows the flavors to develop and the sauce to thicken nicely.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes amount to control the sauce’s spiciness.
- Blending is optional; leave the sauce chunky if preferred for more texture.
- Adding Parmesan cheese is optional but recommended for added depth and umami.
- Store leftover sauce in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: pizza sauce, homemade pizza sauce, tomato sauce, Italian sauce, easy pizza sauce
