No Sugar Pizza Sauce Recipe
As a lover of all things homemade and deliciously simple, I can’t wait to share my latest culinary creation: a vibrant, sugar-free pizza sauce that’s sure to elevate your pizza game from blah to bravo with each savory, herb-filled bite.
I enjoy crafting recipes that center around natural flavors, and my No Sugar Pizza Sauce embodies that principle. It is made with such ingredients as garlic, crushed tomatoes, and a medley of herbs, which includes oregano and basil.
Yet this sauce has a sumptuous richness and a seemingly boundless depth of flavor—without any added sugar.
No Sugar Pizza Sauce Recipe Ingredients
- Olive Oil: Healthy fats, adds richness, promotes heart health.
- Onion: Fiber, vitamins, adds sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Garlic: Antioxidants, boosts immune system, enhances savory taste.
- Crushed Tomatoes: Rich in vitamins C and K, natural sweetness.
- Tomato Paste: Intensifies tomato flavor, concentrated source of nutrients.
- Oregano: Antimicrobial properties, earthy and aromatic.
- Basil: Contains antioxidants, sweet and herby flavor.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Optional heat, boosts metabolism.
- Bay Leaf: Subtle depth, aromatic enhancement.
No Sugar Pizza Sauce Recipe Ingredient Quantities
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 bay leaf
How to Make this No Sugar Pizza Sauce Recipe
1. Warm the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Finely chop the onion and add it to the pan, sautéing it until it becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. Mix in the chopped garlic and continue to cook for 1 more minute, until it is aromatic.
4. Crushed tomatoes and tomato paste go into the saucepan. Stir to combine.
5. Mix together the seasonings of dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using) in a separate bowl. Then combine the mixture with your sauce or vegetables as you see fit.
6. Introduce the bay leaf to the sauce and elevate the state of the mélange to a gentle simmer.
7. Decrease the heat to low and allow the sauce to simmer without a cover for 20-25 minutes, giving it an occasional stir.
8. After the desired thickness is achieved, remove the bay leaf from the sauce.
9. If needed, season to taste.
10. Let the sauce cool before you spread it onto your pizza crust. Enjoy your sugar-free, homemade pizza sauce!
No Sugar Pizza Sauce Recipe Equipment Needed
1. Saucepan
2. Cutting board
3. Chef’s knife
4. Wooden spoon or spatula
5. Measuring spoons
6. Small bowl
7. Can opener
FAQ
- Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?You can indeed make use of fresh tomatoes, but before incorporating them, you must first skin and crush them. The cooking time will need to be extended, however, to ensure that the fresh tomatoes break down appropriately.
- Is it necessary to use tomato paste?The sauce thickener and flavor enhancer, tomato paste, is essential for a delicious sauce. If you cannot find this ingredient in the supermarket, chop some tomatoes and purée them in a blender. If you have neither ripe tomatoes nor paste, reduce the sauce by simmering it uncovered and stirring it occasionally until it thickens.
- How long can I store this sauce?The sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week or can be frozen for up to three months.
- Can I leave out the red pepper flakes?The red pepper flakes are optional and can be left out if you want a milder sauce.
- What can I substitute for onion if I have an allergy?Onion powder can be used for flavor, or it may be omitted completely and replaced with additional herbs.
- How can I make this sauce smoother?To achieve a smoother consistency, use an immersion blender or transfer the sauce to a traditional blender after cooking.
No Sugar Pizza Sauce Recipe Substitutions and Variations
One small onion, finely chopped. May substitute with 1/2 cup finely chopped shallots for a milder flavor.
Two cloves of minced garlic can be replaced with 1 teaspoon of garlic powder if you don’t have fresh garlic on hand.
1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes – may be substituted with 1 can (14 ounces) tomato puree for a smoother sauce.
1 teaspoon dried oregano – can be substituted with 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning to yield a different herb blend.
Use 1 tablespoon of tomato paste; it can be substituted with 2 tablespoons of ketchup. Just ensure that this ketchup is unsweetened so the overall meal remains no-sugar.
Pro Tips
1. For a richer and deeper flavor, consider roasting the garlic before mincing it. This can enhance the complexity of your sauce.
2. To add a slight sweetness to balance the acidity of the tomatoes, grate a small amount of carrot into the sauce while it simmers.
3. For a smoother sauce, blend the mixture with an immersion blender once it’s cooked and cooled slightly, before removing the bay leaf.
4. If you prefer a chunkier sauce, consider adding small diced tomatoes or leaving part of the crushed tomatoes unblended to give more texture.
5. Allow the sauce to simmer for an additional 10 minutes if time permits. This deepens the flavors further and can improve the overall taste of the sauce.
No Sugar Pizza Sauce Recipe
My favorite No Sugar Pizza Sauce Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Saucepan
2. Cutting board
3. Chef’s knife
4. Wooden spoon or spatula
5. Measuring spoons
6. Small bowl
7. Can opener
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions:
1. Warm the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Finely chop the onion and add it to the pan, sautéing it until it becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. Mix in the chopped garlic and continue to cook for 1 more minute, until it is aromatic.
4. Crushed tomatoes and tomato paste go into the saucepan. Stir to combine.
5. Mix together the seasonings of dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using) in a separate bowl. Then combine the mixture with your sauce or vegetables as you see fit.
6. Introduce the bay leaf to the sauce and elevate the state of the mélange to a gentle simmer.
7. Decrease the heat to low and allow the sauce to simmer without a cover for 20-25 minutes, giving it an occasional stir.
8. After the desired thickness is achieved, remove the bay leaf from the sauce.
9. If needed, season to taste.
10. Let the sauce cool before you spread it onto your pizza crust. Enjoy your sugar-free, homemade pizza sauce!