This easy classic homemade pizza sauce simmers for a good long time to allow the tomatoes, garlic, and oregano to mingle and meld. Freeze the leftovers so you have pizza sauce at hand whenever you have a hankering for good homemade pizza.
Yield: 4
Ingredients
1tablespoonolive oil
1tablespoonminced garlicabout two or three large cloves
1teaspoondried oregano or 1 tablespoon fresh chopped oreganoif using fresh, add at the end of the cooking time
1teaspoongranulated sugarcan substitute honey or agave nectar
1/2teaspoonred pepper flakesthis makes for a lot of heat, which we love, but I recommend you start out with 1/4 teaspoon or even just a generous pinch if you're unsure
1/2teaspoonkosher salt
Black pepper to taste
Instructions
In a medium saucepan over low heat, warm the olive oil.
Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for about a minute. If you're using dried oregano, add that along with the garlic. If you're using fresh, add it to the sauce at the end of the cooking time.
Increase the heat to medium. Add the tomatoes, sugar, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
Leave over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until boiling. Reduce heat to low for a nice simmer.
Gently simmer uncovered for 90 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in fresh oregano, if using that instead of dried.
Allow the sauce to cool to a safe temperature and then, using an immersion blender or working in batches with a blender, puree sauce.
Assemble pizza using your delicious homemade sauce, or refrigerate until ready to use. Keeps well in the fridge for about 4 days. I love to freeze this sauce in individual-pizza portions, too.
Notes
Refined-sugar-free option
Replace the granulated sugar with honey (if not vegan) or agave syrup. Try not to leave this little bit of sweetener out entirely, though. It really helps cut the acidity of the tomatoes.
Kid-friendly option
Making this sauce for kids? Consider leaving out the red pepper flakes, or only adding a small pinch. I like to make two separate batches - one with more heat for the adults, and no heat for the kiddos. If you end up with leftover sauce, try freezing it for easy homemade pizza-makin' later on.