Zesty Homemade Pizza Sauce
 

 

For those who are looking to make a fabulous homemade pizza, getting the right sauce can make all of the difference. When most people think about making a pizza they debate which toppings to include, but without the right base no pizza can be at its best. Therefore, making a great sauce is vital to an excellent pizza.

Starting with some basic ingredients anyone can make an award winning sauce. Traditional pizza sauce is usually comprised of a tomato base with additional items added to enhance flavor one way or the other. . Some people prefer sweet sauces while others enjoy a spicy sauce, and still others pick up the debate between the traditional red sauces versus a white cream sauce. Fortunately there are plenty of variations for making a sauce perfectly fit to your taste. People who like a sweet sauce may prefer to use more basil, some marjoram, or additional sugar. Those who like a spicy sauce will add extra cayenne or red pepper flakes while reducing ingredients like sugar or excessive olive oil.

With this knowledge in mind, here is a recipe for a traditional zesty pizza sauce. Feel free to add other ingredients or change the proportions to make the sauce your own.
Ingredients -
1 (32 ounces) can Crushed Tomatoes
4 large Garlic Cloves, minced
1/8 cup White or Yellow Onion, minced
2 tablespoons Pesto
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
1 tablespoon Oregano
1/2 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/8 teaspoon Fresh Ground Black Pepper
 
Preparation:

1. In a small sauce pan heat the olive oil over medium heat until it easily coats the bottom of the pan. Add the onion and sauce until it is just turning translucent. Add the garlic and continue to saute until fragrant, about 30 - 60 seconds. Add the can of crushed tomatoes to the pot, stirring to ensure that it does not stick to the pan. Add the remaining ingredients, incorporating them into the sauce.

2. Once the sauce is bubbling turn down the heat to medium-low and let it reduce. This should take about 30 minutes and create a richly flavorful sauce. Stir constantly to make sure it does not stick to the bottom of the pan.

3. After the sauce has cooked, remove from heat and let cool slightly before topping your pizza. This sauce keeps well in the fridge for 5 days or a few months in the freezer.
 


Pizza Making Tips
Herbs and Spices

You can use these in the crust or as a topping. Pepper, rosemary, crushed red pepper, fresh or dried basil, cilantro, dill, salt, garlic pepper rub and kosher salt are all good options. This allows you to enhance the flavor without the calories.


Pizza Making Tips
Pizza Sauce

If time permits, make your own sauce. You can purée canned tomatoes or use tomato sauce. Then add sautéed onions and garlic (puréed) and chopped-up up sun dried tomatoes and put them in the sauce. You can substitute Alfredo sauce, olive oil or pesto as a base.



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