thick & rich pizza sauce

I've made pizza sauce before but I wanted to make one that was even thicker and richer because I had big plans to dip things in it ("things" being pizzadillas). Dipping sauces have to be really thick or else they won't hang on to whatever is being dunked in them.

This is definitely my new go-to sauce for pizzas but you can also use it for any red sauce application. Meatball subs, eggplant or chicken parmesan, or just for dipping breadsticks. it's a quick, easy, all-purpose red sauce.

This recipe makes enough for two large pizzas or about 12 dipping portions. The sauce freezes great so go ahead and freeze half of it and then you won't have to make a batch the next time you want a pizza!




Total Recipe cost: $2.40
Servings Per Recipe: 12 (dipping portions)
Cost per serving: $0.20
Prep time: 5 min. Cook time: 15 min. Total: 20 min.

INGREDIENTS		COST
1 Tbsp	olive oil	$0.11
1 tsp	minced garlic	$0.07
1 (28 oz.) can	crushed tomatoes	$1.43
1 (6 oz.) can	tomato paste	$0.56
1/2 Tbsp	sugar	$0.05
3/4 tsp	salt	$0.05
1 tsp	basil	$0.05
1/2 tsp	dried oregano	$0.03
10-20 cranks	fresh cracked pepper	$0.03
a pinch	crushed red pepper (optional)	$0.02
TOTAL		$2.40

STEP 1: Add the olive oil and garlic to a medium pot and cook over medium heat for 1-2 minutes.

STEP 2: Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Stir until evenly combined. Add the rest of the ingredients, stir to combine, and adjust seasoning to your preference.

STEP 3: Allow the pot to come to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let cook for about 10 minutes.

If you are planning to freeze all or a portion of the sauce, chill it in the refrigerator before transferring to the freezer.

Step By Step Photos

Cook the garlic in olive oil over medium heat for a minute or two.


You'll need one 28 ounce can of crushed tomatoes and one 6 ounce can of tomato paste. Make sure to get crushed tomatoes because they have more texture than tomato puree or tomato sauce but are not super chunky like diced tomatoes. They're perfect for red sauces. The tomato paste is what gives the pizza sauce its nice thick, hearty flavor and texture.


Add the salt and sugar (this will balance out the acidity in the tomato paste) and the rest of the seasonings - basil, oregano, cracked pepper, and crushed red pepper.


Allow it to come up to a simmer over medium heat then reduce the heat to low, place a lid on top, and let simmer for about ten minutes.


And when you're done, you'll have a nice, hearty pizza sauce!


Perfect for dippin'!