If you're a pizza lover, you know that the key to making a delicious homemade pizza is the sauce. And what better way to take your pizza game to the next level than by making your own homemade roasted tomato pizza sauce and in this post I'll show you how.
Making your own homemade roasted tomato pizza sauce is not only easy but also a great way to elevate your pizza game. With this recipe, you can enjoy a delicious and flavorful sauce that will take your homemade pizza to the next level. So, gather your ingredients, get ready to roast some tomatoes, and enjoy the taste of Italy in your own kitchen!
Jump to:
Homemade vegan pizza - definitely a perfect way to make the kitchen smell absolutely amazing! This homemade pizza sauce is the best combination with a homemade pizza dough and it takes your pizza experience to the next level! On top of all this, it's also the perfect way to use up any leftover cherry tomatoes.
❤️ Why make pizza sauce from scratch
Making your own homemade pizza sauce has several benefits, such as:
- You can customize the sauce to your liking by adjusting the amount of salt, pepper, and other seasonings.
- Homemade pizza sauce is made with fresh ingredients, which means it tastes better and is healthier than store-bought sauce.
- Making your own pizza sauce is often cheaper than buying it from the store, especially if you use fresh tomatoes from your garden or local farmers market.
- There's simply a sense of satisfaction that comes with making something from scratch, especially when it turns out delicious!
Overall, making your own pizza sauce is a simple and rewarding process that can take your homemade pizza to the next level.
A brief history of tomato sauce on pizza
Tomato sauce did not actually become a common pizza topping until the late 19th century, can you believe it?
Pizza was originally a simple dish made with bread, cheese, and sometimes other toppings such as garlic or anchovies. It wasn't until immigrants from Naples, Italy brought over their traditional tomato-based sauce that pizza as we know it today began to take shape. The first recorded pizza with tomato sauce was made in 1889 for the Italian Queen Margherita. It was topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and basil to represent the colors of the Italian flag.
From there, pizza with tomato sauce became increasingly popular and has since become a staple of the dish.
🌱 Ingredients & Notes
For my homemade Roasted Tomato Pizza Sauce, I like to use only natural and simple ingredients:
- cherry tomatoes - for the base of my pizza sauce, I like to use cherry tomatoes. I find they're simply brilliant for this use as they contain a delicious natural sweetness that comes out perfectly in the roasting process.
- herbs - Italian herbs are a must for a delicious pizza sauce! I love using a combination of Italian dried herbs: oregano, sage, basil and thyme alongside a pinch of salt. Of course, you can also use fresh herbs, however, adjust the amounts and use slightly more than the recipe calls for. Also, ensure to finely chop any fresh herbs that you're using so they don't come out chunky in your pizza sauce.
- tomato paste - I usually add organic tomato paste to my pizza sauce, this will help thicken my sauce and adds even more pure tomato flavour to it. One Tablespoon will be sufficient. I like using the organic tomato paste by Mr Organic for this pizza base.
🔪 Equipment
- Roasting Tin
- Baking sheet
- Oven
- Blender or food processor
- Sieve to strain
- Saucepan
- Wooden spoon
🧑🍳 How to make pizza sauce from fresh tomatoes (Step-by-Step)
If you're making my Basic Vegan Pizza Dough, then this sauce is the perfect creation whilst you're waiting for your pizza dough to proof!
Step 1: Roasting
Start creating the recipe by washing your cherry tomatoes and placing them in a roasting tin. The roasting process will enhance their natural flavours and it will bring out the natural sweetness of the tomatoes. This process is vital to add the perfect depth of flavour to the base of your homemade pizza.
For the roasting, I like to add a little oil to the cherry tomatoes. This will prevent them from sticking to the roasting tin. In addition, a sprinkle of salt will perfectly be combined with your roasted tomatoes, so this is a great time to add it in without making the sauce too salty.
Roast the tomatoes at 190°C in a pre-heated oven for about 18-20 minutes.
Step 2: Blending & straining
Once the roasting time elapses, transfer the tomatoes to a high-speed blender alongside the herbs. Blitz for a minute until smooth, then strain the sauce through a fine sieve to remove any tomato seeds.
Step 3: Cooking down
Next, you need to slowly reduce the liquid in the tomato sauce. Transfer the sieved tomatoes to a saucepan, add the tomato paste and stir to combine. Cook the contents on low heat, stirring regularly for about 20 minutes until a thicker tomato paste has formed.
🍽️ How to use pizza sauce
To use the sauce, simply spread it over your pizza dough before adding your toppings. You can also use it as a dip for breadsticks or as a sauce for pasta.
This recipe makes enough pizza sauce for two 18 inch pizzas. During the roasting and cooking process, the tomatoes will lose a lot of their water and volume.
Extra tip: If you want to impress your dinner guests, create a delicious pizza with a Vegan Focaccia base and top with this homemade tomato sauce.
What to do with leftover pizza sauce
Leftover pizza sauce can be used in many ways, such as:
- Pasta sauce: Use the pizza sauce as a base for a quick and easy pasta sauce. Simply heat the sauce in a saucepan over medium heat and add cooked pasta.
- Dipping sauce: Use the sauce as a dip for breadsticks or other appetizers.
- Soup: Use the pizza sauce as a base for a tomato soup or vegetable soup.
- Marinade: Use the sauce as an ingredient to marinate seitan or tofu!
❄️ Storage
Once the sauce is done, let it cool down completely before storing it in an airtight container. You can store this pizza sauce in the fridge for up to 1 week.
You can also store the sauce in a sterile glass jar with a lid, even out the sauce in the jar and cover with about 1-inch olive oil - this will prevent your pizza sauce from becoming mouldy and it will last in the fridge for up to a week longer.
Alternatively, you can freeze the sauce for up to three months.
How to freeze pizza sauce
To freeze the pizza sauce, let it cool down completely and transfer it to an airtight container or a freezer-safe bag. Label the container with the date and freeze for up to three months. When you're ready to use the sauce, simply thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and use it as directed.
How to tell if pizza sauce has gone bad
Pizza sauce can go bad if it has been left out at room temperature for too long or if it has been stored improperly. Signs that pizza sauce has gone bad include mold growth, an off smell, or a change in color or texture. If you notice any of these signs, it is best to discard the sauce and make a new batch.
To prevent spoilage, be sure to store your pizza sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer.
💡 Expert Tips & Tricks
- Use fresh, ripe tomatoes for the best flavor.
- If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can strain the mixture after blending it.
- Add a pinch of sugar if you want to balance out the acidity of the tomatoes.
- Experiment with different herbs and spices for a unique flavor.
With this homemade roasted tomato pizza sauce recipe, I'm sure you'll never go back to store-bought sauce again!
❓ Recipe FAQs
The amount of sauce needed for an average size pizza depends on personal preference, but a good rule of thumb is to use about ¼ to ½ cup of sauce for a 12-inch pizza. Adjust the amount of sauce based on your personal preference and the size of the pizza.
Traditionally, San Marzano tomatoes are considered the best type of tomato for pizza sauce due to their sweet, rich flavor and low acidity. As they are not easy to buy in my area, I love using cherry tomatoes instead as they are similarly sweet and rich. For the best flavor, use fresh, ripe tomatoes when making pizza sauce.
To thicken tomato sauce, let it simmer on low heat for a longer period of time, or add tomato paste or grated vegan Parmesan cheese.
Homemade tomato sauce can last up to 5 days in the fridge if stored properly in an airtight container.
Yes, homemade tomato sauce can be frozen for up to 6 months.
📌 If you love Pinterest you can pin any of the images to your boards!
You might also enjoy these recipes:
📖 Recipe Card
Roasted Tomato Pizza Sauce
Equipment
- 1 greased oven dish
Ingredients
- 350 g cherry tomatoes
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for roasting
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried sage
- ¼ teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Wash the cherry tomatoes and place them on a roasting tray. Drizzle them with a little olive oil and sprinkle them with a pinch of sea salt, then place them in the oven to roast for. 18-20 minutes.
- Transfer the tomatoes to a high-speed blender alongside the herbs. Blitz for a minute until smooth, then strain the sauce through a fine sieve to remove any tomato seeds.
- Transfer the sieved tomatoes to a saucepan, add the tomato paste and stir to combine. Cook the contents on a low heat, stirring regularly for about 20 minutes until a thicker tomato paste has formed.
- Ready to top your pizza base!
Notes
- Use fresh, ripe tomatoes for the best flavor.
- Use a high-quality olive oil for a rich and smooth texture.
- Simmer the sauce for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- If the sauce is too thick, you can thin it out with a little bit of water.
- Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Experiment with different herbs and spices, such as oregano, basil, or red pepper flakes, to customize the flavor to your liking.
*Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links and sponsored links that earn me a small commission, at no additional cost to you. You can find more information in my Privacy Policy.
© 2024 Romy London / Romina Callwitz | All images, videos, wordings and content are copyright protected and belong to Romina Callwitz. Please do not use any of my content without prior permission. If you wish to re-publish any (part of my) content, please get in touch via email. Thanks for your support!
*Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links and sponsored links that earn me a small commission, at no additional cost to you. You can find more information in my Privacy Policy.
💭 Leave a Comment