This homemade gluten-free pizza sauce recipe is quick and easy, ready in just about 15 minutes! This delicious recipe starts with a can of tomato sauce, simmered with a few fresh ingredients: garlic, shallot, and fresh basil. The result is a thick and rich tomato sauce that's perfect for your homemade pizza night!
Simple Homemade Pizza Sauce
- Easy to make in 15 minutes or less!
- Simmered to perfection for flavor and thickness!
- Semi-homemade; starts with a can of tomato sauce.
- No tomato paste. No sugar.
- Simple, fresh ingredients.
- Tastes better than store-bought!
- Makes a great dipping sauce.
This pizza sauce is perfect to use for my gluten-free Detroit pizza recipe or my Ooni gluten-free pizza recipe! While you're here, be sure to grab my recipe for the best gluten-free pizza crust!
My fresh basil pesto recipe is another easy sauce to make; use it to make a 20 minute pasta with creamy pesto sauce!
Recipe Testing Notes
I used to make a version of this sauce all the time as a kid! Picture me at 12 years old on a Friday night, making yeast-risen pizza dough from scratch and homemade pizza sauce. Back then, I would simply crack open a can of tomato sauce and stir in garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. I would taste the sauce along the way, only to stop when my advanced palate thought it tasted just right!
While my tastes have evolved over the years and the method has improved beyond my original recipe, those memories still bring a smile to my face! Here's a few ways I've improved the recipe over the years to make this the best pizza sauce ever!
- Simmering the sauce is KEY! While other recipes may boast a "no-cook" or "5-minute" method, taking the few extra minutes to simmer down the sauce is so worth it! Simmering not only brings out the flavors of the sauce but also reduces the moisture content. The result is a thick sauce with concentrated flavor that won't make your pizza soggy.
- Amp up the flavor with fresh ingredients. While garlic powder, onion powder, and dried herbs can suffice, opting for their fresh counterparts takes the sauce to the next level!
- Make it as spicy as you like! Add just a pinch of red pepper flakes to keep it mild or increase the amount to ¼ teaspoon, or more, if you want it spicy!
Ingredient Notes
- Tomato Sauce or Tomato Puree: Since it will serve as the foundation of the sauce, choose a high quality Italian brand of canned tomato sauce, such as DeLallo or Mutti. Alternatively, you can also use a can of crushed or whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes for this recipe. If using whole peeled tomatoes, you'll need to blend them up in a food processor or blender until smooth.
- Fresh Garlic
- Small Shallot: Shallots are similar to onion, but they are smaller and more mild in flavor. You can substitute a similar amount of finely grated onions if you can't find a shallot. Shallots are usually located near the onions or garlic in the produce section of your local grocery store.
- Fresh Basil: Fresh basil adds so much more flavor to the sauce than dried basil. It's definitely worth adding! If I can find fresh oregano, or have it growing in my garden, I also add a couple sprigs of that as well!
*Full ingredients list and amounts located in recipe card below.
Pizza Sauce vs Marinara Sauce
While pizza sauce and marinara sauce share similar ingredients, there is a reason why actual pizza sauce is the superior choice for topping your pizza.
The main difference between the two lies in the moisture content. Pizza sauce contains less water and is thicker than pasta sauce, which is ideal for preventing a watery, soggy mess on top of your pizza. That's why this recipe starts with a can of tomato sauce, which is then cooked down slightly. The result is a thicker, more flavorful sauce.
While you could use your favorite jar of marinara sauce to top your pizza, once you taste this homemade pizza sauce and see how easy it is to make, you will never go back to putting spaghetti sauce on your pizza!
How to Make Pizza Sauce From a Can of Tomato Sauce
- Heat the olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the shallot and garlic until fragrant and tender, just a few minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add the tomato sauce to the pan.
- Add the herbs and spices. Stir to combine.
- Cover loosely and simmer over medium to low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Be cautious of splatters!
- Remove from heat and let the sauce cool slightly before pulling out the herb stems.
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How to Store Homemade Pizza Sauce
Homemade pizza sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. If you need to store it for longer, you can freeze the sauce in a freezer-safe container or ice cube trays for up to 3 months.
Make sure to let the sauce cool completely before transferring it to the refrigerator or freezer.
When you're ready to use it, simply thaw it overnight in the refrigerator or defrost it gently in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Variations
- Add 3 tablespoons of grated parmesan cheese for a cheesy pizza sauce.
- Add 2 tablespoons of honey or sugar for a sweet sauce.
Top Tip
Prefer a smoother sauce? After you've simmered the sauce, transfer it to a food processor or use an immersion blender directly in the pot, and blend until smooth. Be cautious when blending hot liquids to avoid splatters.
Ways to Use Gluten-Free Pizza Sauce
I have several gluten-free pizza recipes that would pair perfectly with this sauce:
Recipe FAQs
If you don't have fresh herbs, you can certainly use dried herbs in this recipe. It will still taste great! See recipe card for amounts.
Most store-bought pizza sauce is free of gluten-ingredients, but it's always best to check the label to be sure. Look for any potential sources of gluten, such as wheat flour or barley malt extract. If you're unsure, you can contact the manufacturer directly for more information about their gluten-free status.
More Gluten-Free Sauce Recipes
Looking for something to dunk in this sauce? Try these gluten-free cheese curds!
Recipe
Gluten-Free Pizza Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small shallot, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 15 ounces canned tomato sauce
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, omit or use just a pinch for milder sauce
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the shallot and garlic until fragrant and tender, just a few minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add canned tomato sauce, fresh basil leaves, dried Italian seasoning, kosher salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Cover loosely and simmer over medium to low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Be cautious of splatters.
- Remove from heat and let the sauce cool slightly before pulling out the herb stems. Use immediately or transfer the sauce to a jar for storage.
Notes
Nutrition
* Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should be used as an estimate only. See the nutrition policy for more information.
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