Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of passata or puree?

Absolutely! Just peel, seed, and puree enough fresh ripe tomatoes to equal the quantity called for. Summer tomatoes will make your sauce even sweeter and brighter.

Is it okay to double or triple the batch?

Go for it! This sauce scales beautifully. Just use a bigger pot and stir frequently to prevent burning as it thickens.

How do I make the sauce less thick if I went too far?

No problem! Just stir in a small amount of water or tomato juice until you hit your desired consistency. Remember to recheck the seasoning, too.

Can I use this as a base for other sauces?

Absolutely. It’s a phenomenal starting point for pasta sauces—add sautéed onion, ground meat, more herbs, or a splash of cream to transform it.

Extra Thick Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe

Name: Extra Thick Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil; 3 cups (680 g, one 24 oz jar) tomato passata (can also use strained tomatoes or tomato puree); 2 large cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon); 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste; 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste

Craving pizza night but tired of watery, bland sauce sliding off your slice? This Extra Thick Homemade Pizza Sauce is the game-changer you’ve been waiting for. With just a handful of pantry staples and under an hour, you’ll whip up a sauce so rich, vibrant, and boldly flavored, you’ll want to keep some on hand at all times. It’s deeply garlicky, subtly herbed, and thick enough to stand up to any topping—exactly what every homemade pizza deserves. Best of all, it’s practically effortless, making it an ideal pick for busy weeknights when you want a cozy, family-friendly meal without the fuss.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Totally Foolproof: If you can stir a pot, you can master this pizza sauce. There are no tricky steps or fancy equipment—just classic ingredients and simple simmering.
Irresistibly Rich Texture: This is not your runny, forgettable jar sauce. Expect a velvety, ultra-thick consistency that won’t drown your dough or hide your toppings.
Big, Bold Flavors: With robust garlic, punchy Italian herbs, and a deep tomato base, this sauce is anything but bland.
Make-Ahead Magic: The longer it sits, the better it tastes, and it’s freezer-friendly—so you’ll always have premium, homemade pizza sauce on hand.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gather these essentials, and you’re set for pizza party greatness. No tricky-to-find ingredients here—just kitchen staples doing their best work.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: For richness and to carry those lovely garlic and herb flavors into the sauce. Choose a good quality one for the best flavor.
Tomato Passata (or Strained Tomatoes/Puree): This is your tomato backbone—smooth, deeply tomatoey, and perfect for creating a thick, glossy sauce.
Garlic: Essential for that signature aromatic punch. Freshly minced is key for the brightest flavor.
Dried Italian Seasoning: A blend of oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary. If you’re out, a pinch of each herb works beautifully.
Kosher Salt: Enhances the tomato’s natural sweetness and brings the whole sauce together.
Freshly Ground Black Pepper: For gentle background heat and complexity.

Tip: If you crave even more depth, a pinch of sugar or a splash of balsamic vinegar can balance acidity—totally optional, but fun to experiment with.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

There’s absolutely room to riff with this recipe! Try these tweaks to suit your mood or match your toppings:

Spicy & Bold: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic for a gentle kick.
Sweet & Savory: Stir in a teaspoon of honey or a sprinkle of sugar if your tomatoes are extra tangy.
Herbaceous Twist: Toss in fresh basil in the last few minutes for a burst of summery freshness.
Chunky Style: Prefer some texture? Stir in a handful of finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes or roasted red peppers.

How to Make Extra Thick Homemade Pizza Sauce

Step 1: Sauté the Flavors

Heat olive oil in a large, high-sided saucepan or stock pot over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add the minced garlic and dried Italian herbs. Stir constantly—this is when your kitchen starts to smell amazing!—for about 1 minute, until the garlic is sizzling and fragrant. Don’t walk away: garlic burns fast!

Step 2: Add Tomatoes & Season

Carefully pour in your tomato passata (or strained tomatoes/puree) and season with salt and black pepper. Stir well, making sure everything’s nicely combined.

Step 3: Simmer Low & Slow

Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Let the sauce bubble away, uncovered, for about 45 minutes. Stir frequently—especially towards the end—so nothing sticks or splatters too wildly. You’re aiming for a super-thick, deeply reduced sauce, almost like tomato paste. Once you have about 1 cup of sauce left, you’re done.

Want a pourable, pasta-ready sauce instead? Simmer for just 20–30 minutes, until you’ve got 1½ to 2 cups.

Step 4: Taste & Adjust

Give your sauce a taste and add more salt or pepper if needed. It should taste intensely tomatoey and perfectly seasoned.

Step 5: Cool and Store

Let cool slightly before spreading onto pizza dough or storing for later. This sauce thickens a bit more as it cools—ideal for a generous layer on homemade pizza!

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Simmer Patiently: Take your time with the reduction. Slow bubbling brings out that deep, savory tomato flavor and gets you the ideal thickness.
Stir Regularly: Tomato sauce can splatter and stick—frequent stirring prevents scorching and keeps the texture smooth.
Let the Sauce Settle: After simmering, let the sauce cool off heat for a few minutes before using. It will thicken up even more as it sits.
Customize the Consistency: For a spreadable pizza sauce, stick to the full 45-minute simmer. For pasta or dipping, pull it off heat a bit sooner for a looser texture.

How to Serve

This sauce was born for homemade pizza—just spread it on stretched dough, then load up with your favorite toppings and cheese. Its thickness means you can go as light or as heavy-handed as you please with toppings, and it’ll never turn your crust soggy.

It’s also lovely as a:

Dipping Sauce: Serve alongside cheesy breadsticks, garlic knots, or even use as a dunk for mozzarella sticks.
Pasta Topper: For a rustic, thick tomato sauce, toss it with hot spaghetti or penne and finish with fresh basil and grated Parmesan.
Calzone or Stromboli Filling: The sturdy texture makes it perfect inside baked savory pastries.

Pair your pizza with a crisp salad, sparkling drinks, and plenty of napkins!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cool the sauce to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container. It keeps fresh in the fridge for up to 1 week. Perfect for making pizza night any night!

Freezing

Freeze individual portions in airtight bags or containers and they’ll last up to 6 months. Let thaw overnight in the fridge or gently rewarm from frozen.

Reheating

Warm gently on the stove over low heat, stirring to restore smoothness. If it feels too thick, a splash of water brings it right back to perfect spreading consistency.

FAQs

Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of passata or puree?

Absolutely! Just peel, seed, and puree enough fresh ripe tomatoes to equal the quantity called for. Summer tomatoes will make your sauce even sweeter and brighter.
Is it okay to double or triple the batch?

Go for it! This sauce scales beautifully. Just use a bigger pot and stir frequently to prevent burning as it thickens.
How do I make the sauce less thick if I went too far?

No problem! Just stir in a small amount of water or tomato juice until you hit your desired consistency. Remember to recheck the seasoning, too.
Can I use this as a base for other sauces?

Absolutely. It’s a phenomenal starting point for pasta sauces—add sautéed onion, ground meat, more herbs, or a splash of cream to transform it.

Final Thoughts

Homemade pizza night just got unbeatable—no more runny store-bought sauces, just richly flavored, perfectly thick tomato goodness every single time. This Extra Thick Homemade Pizza Sauce is a cinch to make and guaranteed to impress. Try it once, and you may find yourself planning pizza parties simply to have another excuse to make it! Gather your ingredients and let yourself have some fun—you’ll never look at pizza sauce the same way again.