Quick and Easy Sauce Recipes – Take Your Homemade Pizza to a Whole New Level

There’s something about a homemade pizza that just feels right. Maybe it’s the aroma of freshly baked dough or the joy of customizing your toppings.

But let’s not forget one of the most crucial components that can make or break your pizza experience—the sauce. That’s why today, I’m thrilled to share with you my collection of quick and easy pizza sauce recipes.

Classic Tomato Sauce

The Classic Tomato Sauce is the heart of traditional pizza making. Its simplicity is its strength, with tomatoes, garlic, and herbs coming together to make a flavor that’s stood the test of time. This sauce is kinda like an old pal – familiar in a good way, and always makes ya feel comfy.

When you get a good whiff of basil winding with the tomatoes, it just brings everything into balance and makes any toppings on top sing. If you use San Marzano tomatoes instead of regular ones, you’re in for a real treat. That’s the kind they use in Italy, so it’s the real deal!

Recipe: Begin with sautéing garlic in olive oil. Add crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, a pinch of sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer until thickened.

1. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a saucepan.
2. Sauté minced garlic for a minute.
3. Add a can of crushed tomatoes.
4. Stir in a teaspoon each of dried basil and oregano.
5. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar.
6. Simmer on low heat for 20-30 minutes until it thickens.
7. Optional: Blend for a smoother texture.

Perfect Pairing: This sauce is the soulmate for Margherita or Pepperoni pizza, where its classic charm shines through.

Creamy White Garlic Sauce

Creamy White Garlic Sauce is gonna take your pizza to the next level. It’s so smooth and creamy, just thinking about it gets my mouth watering! But it’s not just any old cream – this baby’s got garlic. Lots of roasted garlic gives it such an amazing flavor, all rich and deep.

Each bite of pizza with this sauce is like music for your taste buds. The creaminess coats everything nicely, and that garlic really gives your pie that extra something. It pairs perfectly with any toppings you throw on top, too. Meats, veggies, whatever – this sauce makes it all taste better than ever.

Recipe: Blend roasted garlic with cream, Parmesan, and a touch of pepper. Cook until thickened.

1. Roast garlic cloves until golden.
2. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
3. Blend the roasted garlic into a paste and add to the butter.
4. Gradually whisk in heavy cream.
5. Add grated Parmesan cheese and stir until smooth.
6. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Cook until the sauce thickens slightly.

Perfect Pairing: It’s divine with Chicken Alfredo Pizza or a vegetable-laden delight, offering a creamy canvas that elevates simple ingredients.

Vegan Pesto

You gotta try this vegan pesto! It’s fresh, flavorful, and it will definitely enrich the flavor of your pizza. Just loaded with basil goodness and those piney nuts, it really shows what plants can do for flavor.

And get this – I added some nutritional yeast, and sometimes I also love to add a bit of vegan cheese. It gives that pesto a creamy, cheesy depth without any dairy.

Recipe: Pulse basil, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, and vegan cheese or nutritional yeast in a food processor until smooth.

1. In a food processor, combine fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, and minced garlic.
2. Pulse while slowly drizzling in olive oil until smooth.
3. Add vegan cheese or nutritional yeast.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Blend until all ingredients are well incorporated.

Perfect Pairing: This sauce is a match made in heaven with a Veggie Pizza, where its fresh, bold flavors can truly stand out.

BBQ Sauce

I know BBQ sauce on pizza sounds a little different, but just hear me out. This combo is for folks who like to shake things up a bit. Its smoky-sweet flavor with that tangy twist really takes pizza to a whole new level.

And get this – the sauce pairs amazingly with all kinds of toppings. Like, you never know what you’re gonna taste next but it’s always delicious.

Recipe: Combine store-bought or homemade BBQ sauce with a bit of vinegar and honey for added depth.

1. Combine your favorite BBQ sauce with a splash of apple cider vinegar and honey.
2. Heat the mixture in a saucepan over medium heat.
3. Stir until well combined and slightly reduced.
4. Let it cool before applying to pizza dough.

Perfect Pairing: Ideal with BBQ Chicken Pizza or a meat lover’s pizza, where its robustness can harmonize with hearty toppings.

Buffalo Sauce

This sauce packs major heat from hot sauce. But don’t worry – you can mix in creamy butter to take the edge off.

It’s a bold flavor that everyone who likes spicy pizza will enjoy. Just go slow at first so you can enjoy the spicy-creamy balance without sweating bullets.

Recipe: Mix hot sauce with melted butter and a hint of garlic powder.

1. Melt butter in a saucepan.
2. Add your preferred hot sauce and a hint of garlic powder.
3. Whisk together until fully combined.
4. Allow the sauce to simmer for a few minutes.

Perfect Pairing: It’s a natural fit for Buffalo Chicken Pizza, adding a kick that spice lovers will adore. There are other spicy sauces that could fit perfectly as well.

Meaty Bolognese

I roll with Meaty Bolognese when I’m looking for something hearty and comforting. Rich in flavor with a meaty texture, it’s a filling and satisfying sauce. The blend of ground meat, tomatoes, and Italian herbs creates a rustic, homely feel on every pizza slice.

Recipe: Slow cook ground meat with tomatoes, garlic, onions, and Italian herbs until rich and thick.

1. Brown ground meat in a skillet.
2. Add finely chopped onions and garlic, cooking until soft.
3. Stir in crushed tomatoes, basil, and oregano.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Simmer on low heat for at least 30 minutes, until the sauce thickens.

Perfect Pairing: This sauce pairs wonderfully with a Classic Meat Lovers Pizza, complementing the variety of meats with its robust base.

Alfredo Sauce

At first, I was skeptical about this sauce, but man, it’s really something else.

Alfredo sauce is super creamy and rich from the butter, cream, and cheese. It makes each bite feel like you’re eating cheesy pasta instead of pizza. And the Parmesan adds an amazing flavor.

It’s way more decadent than regular tomato sauce. But so worth it if you want to really treat yourself. All I can say is one bite convinced me – you gotta taste it to know it.

Recipe: Melt butter, then whisk in cream and Parmesan until smooth and thick.

1. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Whisk in heavy cream and simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Gradually add grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and smooth.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Cook until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.

Perfect Pairing: Perfect with a Seafood Pizza or a simple cheese pizza, where its creaminess can be the star.

Tikka Masala Sauce

Tikka Masala Sauce brings a blend of spices from India, tomatoes, and creamy goodness. The flavors come together in a way that’s rich, spicy, and a little tangy too. Once you try a slice covered in this sauce, the taste will stick with you forever. Indian food has so much flavor, and this sauce captures it in a way that’s perfect for pizza.

Recipe: Cook a blend of garam masala, tomatoes, cream, and grilled chicken pieces until thickened.

1. Sauté minced onions and garlic in a pan.
2. Add garam masala and cook until fragrant.
3. Stir in tomato sauce and a bit of cream.
4. Add cooked, diced chicken if desired.
5. Simmer until the sauce thickens.

Perfect Pairing: This sauce is incredible with a Chicken Tikka Pizza, providing a burst of flavors that complement the spiced chicken.

Caramelized Onion and Fig Jam

I’ve gotta say, making Caramelized Onion and Fig Jam has been challenging but very rewarding. The way those sweet caramelized onions blend with the rich fig jam? It’s nothing short of a flavor powerhouse. It’s sophisticated and unique, and honestly, slathering it on pizza just takes things to a whole new level of gourmet.

Recipe: Slowly caramelize onions, then blend with fig jam and a splash of balsamic vinegar.

1. Slowly cook thinly sliced onions in olive oil until caramelized.
2. Stir in fig jam and a splash of balsamic vinegar.
3. Cook until the mixture becomes thick and jam-like.

Perfect Pairing: This sauce pairs elegantly with a Prosciutto and Arugula Pizza, where its sweet and savory notes can shine. Choosing the right topping sometimes can be even more important.

Pumpkin Sauce

I’ve come to love pumpkin sauce as a seasonal sensation. It’s got this smooth, slightly sweet, and earthy taste that really puts a unique twist on pizza. Mixing in traditional spices, it creates a comforting warmth that’s just perfect for the cooler months.

With a combination with red pepper flakes, you will get the Spicy Pumpkin Puree, which is one of the best innovative sauces.

Recipe: Blend cooked pumpkin with garlic, sage, and cream until smooth.

1. Sauté minced garlic in olive oil.
2. Add pureed cooked pumpkin and a pinch of sage.
3. Stir in cream and simmer until heated through.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Blend for a smoother consistency if desired.

Perfect Pairing: This sauce is delightful with a Roasted Vegetable Pizza, where its subtle sweetness complements the roasted flavors.