Introduction: A Simple and Delicious Pizza Sauce

By Darren Landrum dot Com
About: I was born in 1976 in the town of Atascadero, California, which translates to "mud hole." It's an apt description, believe me. It was after moving to Colorado that I got interested in the sciences, and in musi…


I've had a number of requests for the pizza sauce that I made for my pizza video, so here it is! This is a very simple sauce to make, and yet it works so well, and for more than just pizza. It makes a good general tomato sauce for other uses, too.

Let's get started!

NOTE:This recipe involves an alcoholic beverage, so be sure you are of the legal age in your locale to be able to handle and use such substances. Here in Michigan, that's 21.

Step 1: The Players


Here are the ingredients:
  • 1 can of diced tomatoes
  • 1 can of tomato paste
  • 1/2 of a small onion, chopped
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herb mix
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon sugar (or to taste)
  • Some water (the amount depends upon how much cooking down you want to do)
  • A bit of oil for sauteing the onions
It looks like a long list, but it's not so bad as that. Many of these are things you would automatically reach for anyway. It just looks imposing seeing every detail laid out. :)

Step 2: Frying Onions: a Multilayered Approach


Actually, there's nothing too complicated about it at all. I just couldn't resist the obvious pun.

Put some oil in the pan over medium heat. Drop in diced onions. Let them sizzle until they turn a bit translucent, and Bob's your uncle.

Step 3: Everyone Get in the Pool!


The most complicated step is done. Now, you just unceremoniously dump everything else in and stir it all up. Add some water if you think it needs more liquid so it can simmer for a little while.

Simmer over a medium-low heat until it's as thick as it can get without burning.

Step 4: Taking the Fork in the Road


Now you have a decision to make.

You can puree the sauce in a blender. That would make a nice smooth sauce, perfectly usable in a variety of ways.

You can mash it up a bit. Potato mashers work well here. Careful use of a stick blender works, too.

Or just leave it nice and chunky. That's what I do, even for pizza. I love it!

Enjoy! And please, if you have any questions, leave a comment and I'll be happy to answer.