Neapolitan San Marzano Pizza Sauce Recipe (no-cook) (2024)

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Find out how to make authentic Italian Neapolitan pizza sauce with this easy homemade recipe! This is a no-cook pizza sauce recipe made with San Marzano tomatoes.

Neapolitan San Marzano Pizza Sauce Recipe (no-cook) (1)

One of my culinary missions on our last visit to Italy was figuring out how to make the BEST authentic Italian pizza. Last time it was Authentic Tomato Bruschetta and an Aperol Spritz. There was something very different from the pizzas I had been making for years at home. I realized after trying many pizzas in Italy, that the most notable difference was the sauce.

I’ve made this easy pizza sauce recipe a few times at home, and am so happy to report it tastes just like in the Italian restaurants we loved. Like my Fresh Tomato Marinara, Salsa, and Dairy-Free Pesto recipes, this one is a great staple to know.


Whereas the pizza sauce I lazily pick up from Trader Joe’s refrigerator section has a deep, rich tomato flavor loaded with spices, the pizzas in Italy had very fresh tasting sauce, without much else in them. Could it really as simple as using crushed tomatoes alone? After a bit more research, I found that my suspicion was correct.

When it comes to making the best authentic pizza sauce at home, less is definitely more. Neapolitan pizza master Vito Iacopelli, shared on Youtube how he makes tomato sauce for pizza and it’s just this way with a few simple ingredients. One of my favorite Italian cooking magazines, Sale e Pepe, makes pizza even simpler by only using tomato puree and sprinkling a little salt and pepper.

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Best Tomatoes for Neapolitan Pizza Sauce

You might be wondering, ‘What are the best tomatoes for pizza sauce?” With recipes this simple, it’s important to use the highest quality ingredients you can find. In this case, tomatoes are the star. Use whole peeled DOP San Marzano tomatoes for the best flavor.

San Marzano tomatoes are grown near Naples, which means you’re making a truly special Neapolitan-style pizza. To ensure you’re actually using real San Marzano tomatoes, look for the DOP label on the can. You might be surprised how many fakes there are on grocery store shelves.

The ingredients for Neapolitan pizza sauce are very similar to traditional San Marzano Marinara Sauce.

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How to Make San Marzano Pizza Sauce at Home

Remove those gorgeous tomatoes from the juice, but don’t discard it. Place the drained tomatoes into a blender or bowl with a small handful of fresh basil leaves and a pinch of sea salt. If you prefer, crush those tomatoes with your hands and then add in chopped basil. I like to add a clove of garlic and a splash of good olive oil as well, but that’s optional.

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Pulse or use an immersion blender to blend the tomatoes. Don’t blend too long, just until the desired consistency is reached. I prefer homemade pizza sauce a little chunky (as it often is in Italy). If needed, thin the sauce by adding a little of the reserved juices at a time. Can you believe it’s that easy? I know. I know!

If you’re like me and feel like homemade pizza sauce should be cooked before using, don’t worry. This sauce does cook just the perfect amount while the pizza bakes. The result is a pizza sauce with the most delicious fresh flavor.

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How to Store and Use Homemade Pizza Sauce

If you’re not using the pizza sauce immediately, store it in an airtight jar in the refrigerator, or freezer.

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To use, spoon a layer of sauce over your prepared pizza dough.

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Bake your homemade pizza in the hottest oven possible, or Pizza Oven, and enjoy your creation.

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Yield: about 2.5 cups

Neapolitan San Marzano Pizza Sauce

Prep Time2 minutes

Cook Time1 minute

Total Time3 minutes

How to make authentic Neapolitan homemade pizza sauce. The key to making the best pizza sauce recipe is to use the best quality ingredients you can find. This San Marzano pizza sauce is a traditional no-cook recipe that will create the best Neapolitan pizzas.

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Ingredients

  • 1 (28 oz.) can/jar whole peeled DOP San Marzano tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 4 fresh basil leaves
  • 1 clove garlic, peeled (optional)
  • splash of extra virgin olive oil (optional)

Instructions

  1. Remove the tomatoes from the sauce and place them into a blender (or bowl if using an immersion blender).
  2. Add the salt and basil leaves
  3. Pulse until the sauce is chunky or smooth, depending on your preference. To thin, if needed, add 1 tablespoon of the sauce from the can at a time (I don't use any).
  4. Use your homemade pizza sauce right away, or store in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition Information:

Yield: 5Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 2Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 212mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated by Nutritionix. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee accuracy. If your health depends on nutrition information, please calculate again with your favorite calculator.

Neapolitan San Marzano Pizza Sauce Recipe (no-cook) (2024)

FAQs

Do you need to cook tomato sauce before putting it on pizza? ›

Mix together water, tomato paste, and olive oil in a large bowl or jar. Add garlic, oregano, basil, rosemary, salt, and pepper; mix well. Let sauce stand for several hours to let flavors blend. No cooking is necessary; just spread on dough.

Is it better to cook pizza sauce or uncooked? ›

The reason pizza sauce is uncooked is because it will actually result in a better-tasting pizza — it will give you fresh, zippy tomato flavor, even after it has been baked in a hot oven. Pasta sauce, on the other hand, is slow-simmered. It usually has a few more herbs involved, like basil or even a bay leaf.

Can you eat pizza sauce without cooking? ›

Yes, you can eat pizza sauce raw. Most pizza sauces are made from simple ingredients like tomatoes, garlic, and fresh herbs, which are all safe to eat raw. The cooking process deepens the flavors and melds them together, but it's unnecessary for safety reasons.

How do you thicken San Marzano pizza sauce? ›

If you want a thicker sauce, you can simply cook it down on a low simmer, stirring occasionally so it doesn't scorch on the bottom, until you get the desired thickness. An optional way to thicken it is to mix in San Marzano tomato paste. Add some more salt to taste if desired.

Why does tomato sauce need to be cooked? ›

Low and slow, Bon Appétit confirms that the reason why a simmered sauce is so darn delicious is because it allows water to cook off, concentrating the umami-packed flavors of the tomatoes and balancing the levels of sugar and acidity in the sauce.

Should I simmer tomato sauce? ›

Tomato sauce has an inherent dilemma: Long-simmered sauces have complex flavor, but simmering over a long period of time cooks out the very thing that makes a ripe tomato so special—its bright, sweet taste.

Why do you simmer pizza sauce? ›

The flavor gets richer the longer you let the sauce simmer. However, if you don't have the time to let it cook down for an hour, just let the sauce cook for as long as possible. The flavor won't be as robust and the texture will be thinner, but no one will complain.

Does pizza sauce go on top or bottom? ›

Cheese always goes belowthe toppings

You've got your dough as the foundation. Then your sauce. The cheese is the next solid layer. Then your toppings (after all, they're called top-pings and not bottom-ings), and then finally your garnishes like basil, pepper, fresh mozzarella, etc, after the pizza is cooked.

Is it cheaper to make or buy pizza sauce? ›

If you use the most affordable ingredients, homemade pizza sauce costs about half the price to make as even the cheapest store-bought pizza sauce.

Is store bought pizza sauce cooked? ›

Pizza sauce is prepared with uncooked pureed tomatoes while pasta sauce is made with cooked blended tomatoes and flavorful garlic, herbs, and spices.

What happens if you don't cook pizza? ›

If you don't cook the pizza, it may have a different taste and texture than when it was cooked. It can even lead to death if eaten uncooked. If you're unsure of whether you should eat the leftover pizza without heating it, it's better to be sure to cook it first before eating it.

How to thicken Neapolitan pizza sauce? ›

Use Flour and Water

Combine 2 tablespoons flour with every 1/4 cup cold water and whisk until smooth. Add the mixture to your sauce over medium heat, and continue to stir and cook until you've reached your desired consistency.

How do you thicken Napolitana sauce? ›

Add Tomato Paste

Stirring in thick, dense tomato paste is a tried-and-true way to add body to a marinara or tomato sauce. Tomato paste is concentrated tomato, sometimes with small amounts of other ingredients like salt or stabilizers, and its texture is so stiff that a spoon will stand up in it.

What are the best tomatoes for pizza sauce? ›

SUMMARY – San Marzano are the tomatoes by excellence for classic red sauce pizza. Some other varieties include the Pomodorino del Piennolo- yellow or red. If San Marzano is impossible to find where you live, oblong peeled tomatoes are the best next choice.

Is it okay to use tomato sauce for pizza? ›

Yes you can…even as it is, straight out of the can, although it might lack a bit of flavor for just a tomato sauce pizza. You can use it cold or cook it down a bit to make it thicker. Of course you can add some condiments (onion, garlic), salt and pepper and hebs and spices.

How to turn jar spaghetti sauce into pizza sauce? ›

Add the pasta sauce to a food processor or blender and pulse until smooth. Add your desired seasoning and salt to taste. Pulse a few more times until thoroughly combined.

Do Italians put tomato sauce on pizza? ›

The Toppings

A traditional Italian pizza would just resort to some fresh basil leaves which, together with the red tomato sauce and the white Mozarella di Bufala cheese complete the tri-colour of the Italian flag. However, depending upon the mood, one can sprinkle some oregano and fresh olive oil for a hint of spice.

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