Brenda's Pizza Sauce
Simple pizza sauce using seasoned olive oil and herbs. Make the oil ahead and let the sauce rest an hour for best flavor.
Submitted by: Brenda from Minnesooooooota,
- Make the Italian seasoned olive oil a day ahead by steeping dried herbs and red pepper in olive oil.
- Mix the tomato sauce, sugar, seasoning, herb blend, and a tablespoon of the oil; let sit at least 1 hour before using.
- Store sauce refrigerated for a few days or freeze for longer-term use; adjust seasoning to taste.
Spices
Featured in this Recipe
Preparation Instructions:
Make your Italian Seasoned Olive Oil ahead of time by adding Italian Herbs and Crushed Red Peppers to olive oil. Let sit at least 1 day before using; store with the spices in the bottle.
To make pizza sauce, mix all ingredients together and let rest at least an hour for flavors to develop.
thespicehouse.com
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I let the Italian seasoned olive oil sit before using?
Let the oil sit at least 24 hours so the dried herbs and crushed red pepper infuse the oil. That gives a stronger, more balanced flavor.
Can I use the sauce right away or does it need to rest?
The sauce works right away, but resting it for at least an hour helps the flavors meld and taste better on the pizza.
How long can I store the finished pizza sauce?
Refrigerate the sauce in a sealed container for up to 3 to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze in portions for up to 3 months.
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned tomato sauce?
Yes, but fresh tomatoes need cooking down and blending to reach the right texture. For convenience and consistent flavor, canned tomato sauce is easiest.
What can I use if I do not have Italian Sausage Seasoning?
Substitute with 1 teaspoon Italian herb blend plus a pinch each of fennel seed, garlic powder, and paprika, or use 1 teaspoon of your favorite pizza or Italian seasoning.
How much sauce should I use per pizza?
A good rule is about 1/3 cup of sauce for a 12-inch pizza. Adjust up or down based on how saucy you like your pizza.
Can I speed up the oil infusion if I forgot to make it a day ahead?
Warm the oil and dried herbs gently in a small pan for a few minutes over low heat, then let cool and sit for a couple hours. Do not use high heat and avoid adding fresh garlic if you plan to store the oil at room temperature.
How can I change the spice or sweetness level?
To reduce acidity, add the scant teaspoon of sugar in the recipe or a bit more to taste. For more heat, add extra crushed red pepper to the oil or sprinkle it into the sauce. Taste and adjust salt and herbs before spreading on the dough.
How long should I let the Italian seasoned olive oil sit before using?
Let the oil sit at least 24 hours so the dried herbs and crushed red pepper infuse the oil. That gives a stronger, more balanced flavor.
Can I use the sauce right away or does it need to rest?
The sauce works right away, but resting it for at least an hour helps the flavors meld and taste better on the pizza.
How long can I store the finished pizza sauce?
Refrigerate the sauce in a sealed container for up to 3 to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze in portions for up to 3 months.
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned tomato sauce?
Yes, but fresh tomatoes need cooking down and blending to reach the right texture. For convenience and consistent flavor, canned tomato sauce is easiest.
What can I use if I do not have Italian Sausage Seasoning?
Substitute with 1 teaspoon Italian herb blend plus a pinch each of fennel seed, garlic powder, and paprika, or use 1 teaspoon of your favorite pizza or Italian seasoning.
How much sauce should I use per pizza?
A good rule is about 1/3 cup of sauce for a 12-inch pizza. Adjust up or down based on how saucy you like your pizza.
Can I speed up the oil infusion if I forgot to make it a day ahead?
Warm the oil and dried herbs gently in a small pan for a few minutes over low heat, then let cool and sit for a couple hours. Do not use high heat and avoid adding fresh garlic if you plan to store the oil at room temperature.
How can I change the spice or sweetness level?
To reduce acidity, add the scant teaspoon of sugar in the recipe or a bit more to taste. For more heat, add extra crushed red pepper to the oil or sprinkle it into the sauce. Taste and adjust salt and herbs before spreading on the dough.
Great site
This is a wonderful recipe and has become a staple ingredient for my weekly pizza, but unfortunately the Italian Sausage Season is no longer available. Will have to experiment with trying to make my own blend. Sorry to see it go!