This pizza sauce method is inspired by Perfect Pan Pizza by Peter Reinhart. I’ve kept it simple and made a few small adjustments to suit the way we make pizza at home. It’s easy enough that kids can make it themselves and have fun getting a little messy along the way.

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

This is the pizza sauce we use for our Friday pizza nights, and it could not be simpler. There’s no cooking involved, no blender required, and it’s easy enough that kids can make it with just a bowl and their hands. That alone makes it one of my favorite parts of pizza night.

While the dough is rising and the oven is preheating, the kids can help crush the tomatoes, measure the spices, and stir everything together. It turns pizza night into something we do together instead of just another dinner to get through.

This sauce is fresh, lightly tangy, and balanced. It sits at room temperature for a couple of hours so the flavors can meld, and by the time it goes on the pizza, it tastes like a classic pizza shop sauce without any extra steps.

Main Ingredients & Swaps

Whole tomatoes – Crushed by hand for the best texture and flavor. You can substitute a can of crushed tomatoes if you prefer a smoother sauce, but using high quality whole tomatoes really makes a difference here. I recommend something like Cento San Marzano tomatoes if you can find them. They add a depth and sweetness that helps this simple sauce truly stand out.
Dried basil and oregano – Create that classic pizza flavor and hold up well during baking. Swap with Italian seasoning or fresh herbs to add even better flavor.
Garlic powder – Dried garlic works well here, but if you have time, swap with a small amount of finely grated fresh garlic to really take it up a notch.
Salt – some brands of tomatoes have more salt than others, I would start modest with the salt and adjust to taste as you go.
Red wine vinegar – Brightens the tomatoes and adds a subtle tang. Swap with apple cider vinegar or a squeeze of lemon juice.

How to Make It

Start by opening the can of whole tomatoes and dumping them into a large bowl. This is the fun part for kids. Using clean hands, crush the tomatoes until the pieces are small and broken down. Try to keep everything in the bowl, but expect a little splatter 🙂

Once the tomatoes are crushed, add the dried basil, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Let kids help with measuring here if you can. It’s a great way to get them involved without pressure.

Add the red wine vinegar and stir everything together until well combined.

Cover the bowl with a plate or lid and let the sauce sit at room temperature for about two hours. This resting time allows the flavors to come together and gives the sauce its balanced, pizza shop style taste.

👇🏻 Watch the full recipe walkthrough in my video below!

https://youtu.be/LEdf6-POLpw