• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About
  • Subscribe

LadyPearTree

menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Pizza

    Published: May 9, 2023 by Donna Poirier · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Pizza Sauce from Tomato Paste

    Jump to Recipe
    A bowl of pizza sauce from tomato paste.

    Although there are numerous pizza sauce options available, Pizza Sauce from Tomato Paste stands out as a straightforward and flavourful choice. With only a handful of pantry staples, no added sugar, and no cooking necessary, this is one of the simplest recipes you'll ever come across.

    A bowl of pizza sauce made from tomato paste. this recipe

    Pizza is one of the most popular foods worldwide and the sauce used on it is a crucial element to its taste. Pizza sauce made from the humble kitchen staple tomato paste is uncomplicated and chances are you have a can or two in your pantry right now.

    Tomato paste, sold in cans or tubes, is a concentrated form of tomatoes cooked to remove excess water, leaving behind a thick, rich paste perfect for homemade fluffy pizza or as a dipping sauce for stromboli. Not only is this basic pizza sauce from tomato paste easy to make, it provides a depth of flavour that can be enhanced by adding herbs and spices.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Substitutions & Variations
    • Instructions
    • Secrets for Success
    • Storage & Make Ahead
    • Recipe FAQs
    • 📖 Recipe Card
    • 💬 Comments

    Ingredients

    Pizza sauce from tomato paste ingredients.
    • Opt for brands of tomato paste that list tomatoes as the sole ingredient on the ingredient list. I used Pastene No Salt Added tomato paste.
    • Baking soda is a secret ingredient/hack in this recipe. Baking soda takes away the bite or bitterness you typically would taste in tomato paste. It mellows the flavour of the tomato bringing out its inherent sweetness. A small quantity of baking soda is all you need to transform potentially bitter tomatoes.
    • Stick with dried herbs and spices in this recipe for the most robust flavour.

    See the recipe card below for all the ingredients and measurements.

    Substitutions & Variations

    • To dilute the tomato paste you can use vegetable stock or chicken stock instead of water. Keep in mind you'll be altering the taste of the sauce.
    • For a richer flavoured pizza sauce you can sauté the tomato paste in olive oil over low heat for 3-5 minutes. This will slightly caramelize the tomato paste. Then add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine.
    • You can substitute ½ teaspoon white sugar for baking soda.

    Instructions

    Pizza sauce from tomato paste in a bowl.

    Combine the ingredients: To a small bowl add all the ingredients and with a whisk stir to combine.

    Secrets for Success

    • Use no-salt added tomato paste.
    • I highly recommend you try the baking soda hack for a sweeter sauce.

    Storage & Make Ahead

    • Refrigerate for up to three days and freeze for up to three months.
    • The sauce can be made several hours ahead of time and refrigerated. Bring to room temperature if using on freshly made homemade pizza dough. Or if using as a dipping sauce for stromboli, or a sauce to serve with grilled chicken then warm it up in the microwave or in a small saucepan over the stove.

    🌟 Recommendations for safe food handling 🌟

    Recipe FAQs

    Why is tomato paste sometimes bitter?

    Tomato paste is made by cooking tomatoes for a long time, reducing the moisture and concentrating the flavour. While the cooking process can enhance the taste of the tomatoes, it can also cause them to become bitter. Additionally, the bitterness in tomato paste can be due to the variety to tomatoes used and the ripeness of the tomatoes.
    Another factor that can cause bitterness in tomato paste is additives. Some brands may contain citric acid or other additives that prolong shelf life.

    How do I remove the bitterness in tomato sauce or pizza sauce?

    Since tomatoes are acidic in nature, adding a pinch or so of baking soda (which is alkaline), to your sauce helps to balance the overall acidity bringing out the sweetness of the tomatoes.

    Pizza sauce from tomato paste mixed and ready.

    📖 Recipe Card

    A bowl of pizza sauce made from tomato paste.

    Pizza Sauce from Tomato Paste

    Donna Poirier
    Although there are numerous pizza sauce options available, Pizza Sauce from Tomato Paste stands out as a straightforward and flavourful choice. With only a handful of pantry staples, no added sugar, and no cooking necessary, this is one of the simplest recipes you'll ever come across.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, Main Course
    Cuisine Italian, Canadian, American
    Servings 1 cup
    Calories 48 kcal

    Equipment

    • measuring cups and spoons
    • small bowl
    • small whisk

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 6-ounce can unsalted tomato paste , 156 milliliters
    • ½ cup water
    • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
    • ½ teaspoon oregano, dried
    • 1 teaspoon basil, dried
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, NOT garlic salt
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ⅛ teaspoon baking soda, NOT baking powder
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Combine the ingredients: To a small bowl add all the ingredients and with a whisk stir to combine. 
      1 6-ounce can unsalted tomato paste, ½ cup water, 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, ½ teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon basil, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ⅛ teaspoon baking soda

    Notes

    This recipe makes 1 cup of pizza sauce.  Depending on how much sauce you like you would have enough sauce for one or two pizzas made in either a 9-inch by 13-inch pan or a 12-inch round pizza pan.
     

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    48
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    2
    g
    3
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    0.3
    g
    2
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    0.1
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    0.04
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    0.4
    mg
    0
    %
    Sodium
     
    1356
    mg
    59
    %
    Potassium
     
    117
    mg
    3
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    8
    g
    3
    %
    Fiber
     
    1
    g
    4
    %
    Sugar
     
    5
    g
    6
    %
    Protein
     
    1
    g
    2
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    566
    IU
    11
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    6
    mg
    7
    %
    Calcium
     
    31
    mg
    3
    %
    Iron
     
    1
    mg
    6
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Nutrition information is approximated using an online nutrition calculator. It is included as a courtesy and should not be substituted for the advice of a professional nutritionist.
    Keyword pizza sauce, pizza sauce with tomato paste, dipping sauce
    Did you make this recipe?Tag @ladypeartree or hashtag it #ladypeartree

    Other Recipes You’ll Love ♥️

    • Stromboli pizza sliced and on a wooden board.
      Stromboli Pizza
    • Overhead shot of a bowl of pizza sauce made with cherry tomatoes.
      Pizza Sauce with Cherry Tomatoes
    • Close up of a bowl of homemade pizza sauce without tomato paste.
      Homemade Pizza Sauce without Tomato Paste
    • A close up photo of thick slices of tomato pizza stacked on top of each other in a plate. The pizza is garnished with fresh basil leaves.
      Fluffy Pizza Dough Recipe

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Nadine G. says

      May 11, 2023 at 4:45 pm

      5 stars
      Wow 🤩 this was too easy. I like the baking soda tip!

      Reply
      • Donna Poirier says

        May 11, 2023 at 9:58 pm

        Thank you.

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Donna Leaning on the counter in the kitchen.

    Colourful, no-fuss recipes. A food blog sharing recipes from all food groups that are easy and mostly healthy.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Filling a jar with granola cooked in the air fryer.
      Air Fryer Granola
    • A bowl of broccoli sweet potato soup with garnishes.
      Broccoli Sweet Potato Soup
    • Mini Egg Brownies cut into bite-sized pieces.
      Mini Egg Brownies
    • A bowl of smoked meat poutine covered in cheese, gravy and smoked meat.
      Smoked Meat Poutine

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Cookie Policy

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms of Service

    Newsletter

    • Sign up!

    Copyright © 2023 LadyPearTree