Homemade Pizza Sauce (Low FODMAP, Sugar-Free)

Ingredients

• 240 ml (1 cup)strained tomatoes
• 30 ml (2 tablespoons)tomato paste
• 30 ml (2 tablespoons)garlic-infused olive oil
• 7.5 ml (1 1/2 teaspoons)Italian seasoning (homemade or shop-bought)
• 2.5 ml (1/2 teaspoon)salt
• 2.5 ml (1/2 teaspoon)pepper
• 2.5 ml (1/2 teaspoon), or to tasteliquid or powdered stevia, or your preferred sweetener

Instructions

1. 1

   Combine ingredients

   Whisk all the ingredients together in a small saucepan or saucier.

2. 2

   Simmer the sauce

   Set the pan over a medium-high heat and bring the sauce to a low boil, whisking occasionally as it warms. As soon as it starts to bubble, turn the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes, or until it reaches your preferred thickness, whisking frequently.

3. 3

   Taste and cool

   Take the pan off the heat, taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning and sweetener to your liking. Let it cool for at least 10 minutes before spreading it on pizza dough. Use it on pizza, including a meat-crust pizza, or serve it with mozzarella sticks, courgette fries or breadsticks.

4. 4

   Store leftovers

   Transfer leftover sauce to an airtight container and refrigerate for 5–7 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Stir before using.

What is pizza sauce?

Pizza sauce is a tomato-based topping spread over the base before the other ingredients go on. This simple Italian-style version brings together strained tomatoes, tomato paste, herbs and oil for a concentrated flavour.

It cooks briefly on the hob rather than being used straight from the tin. That short simmer gives you a thicker sauce that is easier to spread on a pizza base.

Nutrition and macros by portion

The nutrition label shows one serving as written: 44 calories, 1g protein, 3g carbs, 4g fat.

The tomatoes provide most of the carbohydrate, while the olive oil is the main source of fat. There is little protein in the sauce, so serve it with a protein-rich topping or alongside a protein source to make a more balanced plate.

Choosing the tomatoes

Strained tomatoes: These make up the bulk of the sauce and give it a smooth, even texture. Use a plain variety so you can control the seasoning.

Building the flavour

Tomato paste: A small amount adds depth and helps the sauce taste rounded without a long cooking time.

Garlic-infused oil: This brings garlic flavour to the sauce. The recipe uses infused oil rather than pieces of garlic, which also keeps the texture smooth.

Getting the texture right

Low simmer: Bring the sauce just to a low boil, then reduce the heat as soon as bubbles appear. Simmer gently for 5 minutes, whisking often to keep it even.

Thickness: Stop cooking when the sauce is thick enough to spread without running across the base. It will be easier to handle after it has cooled.

Seasoning to taste

Herbs and pepper: Italian seasoning and pepper provide the savoury, aromatic notes. Taste after cooking before deciding whether to adjust them.

Sweetener: The recipe includes a small amount, with more or less left to your preference. Add any adjustment gradually so the tomato flavour stays in balance.

Let it cool before spreading

Give the sauce at least 10 minutes to cool after removing it from the heat. This makes it less runny when you spread it over a pizza base.

Use it as a pizza topping or serve it alongside breadsticks, mozzarella sticks or courgette fries for dipping.

Recipe notes & tips

• Whisk frequently once the sauce is simmering to help it cook evenly.
• Turn the heat down as soon as the first bubbles appear.
• Taste the sauce after cooking before adding extra seasoning or sweetener.
• Let the sauce cool for at least 10 minutes before spreading it on a pizza base.
• Stir refrigerated or thawed sauce before using it.

Variations

• More herbs: Add extra Italian seasoning a little at a time for a stronger herbal flavour.
• Extra pepper: Increase the pepper to give the sauce a sharper kick.
• Different sweetener: Use your preferred sweetener in place of stevia and adjust it to taste.
• Dipping sauce: Keep the sauce slightly thicker and serve it with breadsticks or courgette fries.
• Smoother finish: Whisk the sauce thoroughly before serving for an especially even texture.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Boiling too hard: Reduce the heat as soon as bubbles appear so the sauce simmers gently.
• Leaving it unattended: Whisk frequently during the simmer to keep the sauce even.
• Spreading it hot: Cool the sauce for at least 10 minutes before putting it on the base.
• Adding too much sweetener: Adjust it gradually after tasting so it does not overpower the tomatoes.
• Using it without stirring: Stir leftover sauce before spreading or serving.

How to store

Keep leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5–7 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months. Stir it before using; thaw frozen sauce before serving or spreading.

Frequently asked questions