Pizza sauce made from tomato paste is one of the fastest, most reliable ways to get a rich, flavorful red sauce on your pie without simmering tomatoes for hours. Simply mix tomato paste with water, a splash of olive oil, and a handful of seasonings for a spreadable sauce that works on fresh dough, prebaked crusts, breadsticks, or as a quick marinara substitute.
Ingredients for Easy Pizza Sauce from Tomato Paste
Many pizza sauces use canned or fresh tomatoes, but this recipe relies on concentrated tomato paste for bold flavor and minimal acidity. By skipping the stovetop simmer, you save time and still end up with a tasty sauce you can spread right away.
- Tomato paste. Any tomato paste will work; double- or triple-concentrated varieties are thicker and may need more water to reach the right consistency.
- Olive oil. A teaspoon or so adds richness and helps flavor carry across the sauce.
- Dried herbs and seasonings. Common choices include basil, oregano, and rosemary. Onion powder and garlic powder are good additions if you like more savory depth. Salt and pepper to taste.
What Spices and Herbs Go in Homemade Pizza Sauce?
Customize this sauce to suit your taste. Some families prefer only salt and pepper, while others load it up with herbs and aromatics. Below are suggested amounts to get you started; adjust according to preference.
- Dried basil: ¼ teaspoon
- Garlic powder: ½ teaspoon
- Dried marjoram: ¼ teaspoon
- Dried oregano: ¼ teaspoon
- Onion powder: ½ teaspoon
- Dried parsley: ½ teaspoon
- Dried rosemary: ¼ teaspoon
Quick Tips for Making Pizza Sauce from Tomato Paste
Keep a few practical pointers in mind when preparing this no-cook sauce:
- Start with half the water called for, then thin the paste a tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired spreadable consistency.
- If you use concentrated tomato paste from a tube, it often needs a 1:1 ratio of water to paste for the right texture. Canned paste typically requires less water.
- A spoon, small bowl, and one spatula are all you need—cleanup is minimal.
Tomato Paste to Water Ratio for Pizza Sauce
Ratios will vary by brand and concentration. A good rule of thumb: with double‑concentrated tube paste try equal parts water and paste; with regular canned paste start with about half the water and add more as needed. Taste and adjust seasonings after thinning.
Storing Leftover Pizza Sauce Made from Tomato Paste
Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze the sauce for up to six months.
To Freeze in Single Servings
Pour about ¼ cup of sauce onto a sheet of parchment and freeze uncovered until solid, about 1–2 hours. Peel the frozen portions off the parchment and keep them in a zip-top freezer bag. Thaw in the refrigerator the morning you plan to use the sauce.
Recipes You May Also Enjoy
This quick pizza sauce is very versatile. Try it on thin crust pizzas, use it as a dipping sauce for garlic breadsticks, or offer it alongside a creamy basil pesto as a second saucing option for pizza night.
Dish Cleanup: Piece of Cake
This recipe earns a cleanup rating of 1 out of 5: just one bowl, a spatula, and two measuring spoons. It’s about as simple as it gets.
Pizza Sauce from Tomato Paste — Recipe
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Ingredients (makes about 4 servings)
- ¾ cup (196.5 g) tomato paste
- ½ cup (120 ml) water, plus more as needed
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the tomato paste, olive oil, and dried herbs. Stir to blend thoroughly.
- Add half of the water and mix until smooth. Continue adding water one tablespoon at a time until the sauce reaches a spreadable consistency you like.
- Use immediately on up to four homemade pizzas, or refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to one week.
Notes
Adjust spices to taste to make the sauce your own. When warmed, this sauce also makes a great dip for breadsticks.
Nutrition (approximate per serving)
Calories: 51 kcal | Carbohydrates: 9 g | Protein: 2 g | Fat: 1 g | Sodium: 104 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 6 g
I’d love to see how your pizza turns out. Share a photo on Instagram by tagging @floralapronblog or using the hashtag #floralapronbakes.