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Make a batch of the ultimate low sodium pizza sauce recipe, perfect for slathering on homemade pizza dough or to enjoy as a delicious dipping sauce! It’s made without much salt, so it’s ideal for young kids while still being delicious and bursting with full-bodied tomato flavour.
LOW sodium pizza sauce recipe
Have you ever noticed the prices for store-bought pizza sauces? They almost always come in a small jar and are often loaded with high levels of sodium and added sugars. The best quality sauces are even more expensive, so making your own pizza sauce makes sense!
You’ll be able to control the quality of the ingredients to make sure your sauce is unsweetened, low salt, and perfect for your little ones.
This homemade low sodium pizza sauce recipe is my favourite way to make my own sauce for less, and my kids love it too!
low sodium pizza sauce
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What is Pizza Sauce?
Although the different Italian sauces can be confusing, pizza sauce combines fresh tomatoes with salt and other seasonings for a robust flavor. Marinara sauce (spaghetti sauce) is similar but is cooked sauce slowly heated at a low temperature to concentrate all the fresh flavours.
Pizza sauce is also usually thicker, making it perfect for spreading on pizza dough without making it too soggy.
This homemade low sugar pizza sauce is made from crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, olive oil, garlic, and different seasonings to give it a lot of flavour without being too spicy or having too much sodium.
It’s a delicious alternative to your local grocery store sauces, and the deeper flavours taste fantastic spread on these homemade air fryer pizza rolls. You can use it as a dipping sauce too!
Why We Love This Healthy Pizza Sauce Recipe
- Quick & easy: Once you’ve minced the garlic, you’ve already done most of the work for this recipe. The rest will happen in the pot!
- Healthy: Since there is no added sugar and less sodium than your typical sauce, this easy pizza sauce with tomato paste is a healthy alternative for homemade pizza night.
- Customizable: Once you’ve made this easy homemade pizza sauce recipe, you can tweak and adjust the recipe to ensure it tastes just right for your family.
Ingredient Notes
- Olive oil: This pizza sauce tastes best with a bit of olive oil, which gives it the perfect consistency and rich flavour.
- Garlic: Mince fresh garlic or use store-bought minced garlic for an easy sauce.
- Crushed tomatoes: Start with no salt added canned crushed tomatoes as the base of this low salt pizza sauce.
- Tomato paste: A bit of tomato paste’s rich, umami flavor will make this sugar-free pizza sauce taste decadent and flavourful.
- Seasonings: Add dried oregano, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper to taste for the ultimate pizza sauce.
How to Make Pizza Sauce with Tomato Paste
- Heat the olive oil in a large sauce pot over medium heat. Add the garlic to the pot and cook over medium heat for 1-2 minutes, or just until the garlic is soft and fragrant.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir to combine.
- Cover the pot, allow the pot to come to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, and let simmer for 15 minutes minimum, or up to 30 minutes (I often let it simmer as I prepare my pizza dough and favourite toppings). Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Spread on your favourite pizza dough or crust or store for later!
Keep scrolling to the recipe card below for the full printable recipe!
TIPS FOR THE BEST HOMEMADE PIZZA SAUCE
- If your tomatoes are too acidic, you can add 1-2 teaspoons of honey or sugar to cut the acidity if desired. Or alternatively, you can use San Marzano canned tomatoes instead of crushed, which are naturally sweeter. Crush them with the back of a spoon while cooking or puree them in the blender.
- You can add veggies to the sauce as well like red peppers, carrots, mushrooms, etc. for added nutrients. Saute the vegetables along with garlic. Allow them to simmer with the other sauce ingredients and puree into the sauce with a blender once softened.
- To prevent a mess all over your kitchen, be sure to cover the pot since the sauce does splatter when simmering.
- This sauce is a great option if you’re looking for a low sodium pizza sauce for babies and toddlers. For the rest of the family, you may wish to add a bit of extra salt to flavour, as desired.
Recipe FAQs
Technically yes, you can use pizza sauce for pasta. However, pizza sauce is typically not cooked and won’t have the same balance of flavors you find in pasta sauce. Plus, it usually comes in a smaller container and costs more than a jar of red sauce! If you’re looking for a delicious sauce for pasta, check out this Low Sodium Spaghetti Sauce!
If you’re making dinner for your whole family, you might wonder if your infant can have pizza sauce too. If your baby has already started consuming solids, they can have pizza sauce (or any tomato sauce), but be mindful of sodium since babies under the age of one should have no more than 400 mg of sodium per day. That’s why this low sodium pizza sauce is a great option!
Technically, no. You can combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl and use as needed. The cooking process does help to deepen the flavours though for a more rich and flavourful sauce.
Storage & Reheating Guidelines
- To refrigerate: Keep a batch of this DIY pizza sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for 5-7 days. You can use it from the refrigerator to add to pizza dough or heat small amounts in the microwave to enjoy as a warm dipping sauce.
- To freeze: If you make too much sauce, freeze your leftover sauce in a freezer-safe container for 1-3 months. Be sure to let it thaw in the fridge overnight before serving. You can freeze it in individual portions as well (we love these Souper Cubes!) and pop out a cube or two to thaw if making mini individual pizzas.
Uses for Pizza Sauce
Once you have a pot of pizza sauce, you can use it in various ways. It’s the ultimate savoury dipping sauce!
- Homemade Pizza Rolls
- Fiestada Pizza Recipe
- Mini Pizzas in Air Fryer
- Make your own pizza night
- Pizza bagels (top half of a bagel with pizza sauce and shredded mozzarella and other desired toppings, then broil until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown)
- Stir leftover sauce into soup, like minestrone
- As a dipping sauce (try it with these air fryer veggie tots!)
Recipe Variations
- Thicker sauce: Cook the sauce for longer or use a smaller amount of crushed tomatoes.
- Spicy: If your family loves spicy things, add 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to this quick sauce for lots of heat.
- Sweeter sauce: Add a little cane sugar, maple syrup, or brown sugar to taste.
Did you make this recipe? Scroll down to leave a star rating and review!
Low Sodium Pizza Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups no salt added canned crushed tomatoes
- 6 ounce can tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large sauce pot over medium heat. Add the garlic to the pot and cook over medium heat for 1-2 minutes, or just until the garlic is soft and fragrant.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir to combine.
- Cover the pot, allow the pot to come to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, and let simmer for 15 minutes minimum, or up to 30 minutes (I often let it simmer as I prepare my pizza dough and other pizza toppings). Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Spread on your favourite pizza dough or store for later!
