Roasted Red Pepper Pizza Sauce

If you want to upgrade your homemade pizza game, it's time to try a homemade pizza sauce that you can easily make at home! This roasted red pepper pizza sauce is rich, slightly smoky from roasted peppers and tomatoes, and bursting with deep flavor from a stovetop simmer with aromatics. It's perfect for spreading over your favorite pizza dough or using as a dipping sauce for breadsticks or meatballs!

Okay, I've been buying store bought pizza sauce for years (still do), but who knew that a homemade pizza sauce using pantry staples could be SO easy and taste SO fresh?! Adding roasted red peppers to the pizza sauce imparts sweet and gently smoky flavors, and the whole thing comes together in just 30 minutes on the stovetop. You'll love the versatility (we've definitely used it for dunking weeknight Spanish chicken meatballs) and the fact that it can be meal prepped and stored in the fridge or freezer.

Whether you're using a store-bought pizza crust or making your own dough (or using pita bread, as I often do with my easy Greek pita pizza recipe!), this sauce will liven up your taste buds on pizza night. Let's make it!

Jump to:

• Key Ingredients
• Substitutions & Variations
• How to Make This Pizza Sauce
• Pairing Suggestions
• 📖 Recipe

Key Ingredients

To make this roasted red pepper pizza sauce, you'll need:

• Roasted Red Peppers - The star of the show, providing a sweet, slightly smoky depth of flavor. I love using jarred roasted red peppers for convenience and year-round availability, but you can also roast fresh red bell peppers in your oven for use in this pizza sauce.
• Fire-Roasted Tomatoes - Adds a rich, slightly charred tomato taste that enhances the sauce. I usually use canned here as well, but you can also use fresh roasted tomatoes when they're in season.
• Tomato Paste - Thickens the sauce and deepens the flavor.
• Garlic & Onion
• Oregano
• Extra virgin olive Oil
• Salt & Pepper

Substitutions & Variations

• Make it spicier - Add crushed red pepper flakes or Calabrian chili paste for a bit of heat (I get mine from Trader Joe's and love it).
• Swap the herbs - Try basil or thyme instead of (or in addition to) oregano, or simply use your favorite Italian herb blend. Fresh or dried herbs work, but remember to use dried herbs in half the amount since they're more concentrated.
• Make it chunkier - This recipe calls for a smooth blend, but you could also pulse the sauce in your blender or food processor for a chunkier, more rustic texture.

How to Make This Pizza Sauce

Here are the step-by-step instructions for how to make roasted red pepper pizza sauce at home.

1. Sauté aromatics. Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add diced onions and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic, tomato paste, salt, pepper, and oregano, ensuring everything is well coated. Cook for another 2-3 minutes to deepen the flavors.
2. Add peppers & tomatoes. Stir in the roasted red peppers and fire-roasted tomatoes. Increase heat to medium-high until the sauce starts to bubble. Let it bubble for about a minute, then reduce to a simmer over low heat. Cover and let cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Blend. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 10 minutes. Transfer to a high-speed blender and blend until smooth.
4. Store or serve. Use immediately or transfer to airtight containers. Store in the fridge for up to a week or freeze for up to three months.

And P.S. If you love this sauce, you might also want to try our five-ingredient marinara sauce recipe, also made from pantry staples.

Pairing Suggestions

Is it pizza night?! Try a salad recipe to make alongside your pizza, or make some meatballs for using up leftover sauce.

Did you try this roasted red pepper pizza sauce recipe? Don't forget to leave a star rating 🌟 and comment below, and tag me on Instagram and Pinterest so I can see what you made!

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📖 Recipe