Make delicious, healthy pizza sauce at home with our easy recipes. Control ingredients and avoid excess sugar & sodium by using fresh tomatoes, garlic, ginger and herbs. Enjoy a flavorful homemade pizza sauce that’s better than store-bought!.
Pizza night, anyone? Store-bought pizza sauce can be a minefield of hidden sugars, excess sodium, and questionable ingredients, right? It can be tough trying to stick to healthier eating habits, um, especially when convenience is calling. But did you know that the real magic of a delicious pizza often lies in the sauce? So, we’re gonna dive into how to make a healthier, tastier pizza sauce at home.
Store-bought pizza sauces are notorious for their high sugar and sodium content, which isn’t ideal if you’re watching your health. While we’re at it, the quality of ingredients really matters. By creating your own sauce, you’re in control of the ingredients—That said, a healthier choice for pizza sauce can still pack a punch of flavor without all the unnecessary additives.
That’s why we’re sharing a super simple and healthy pizza sauce recipe. We’ll explore healthier options and the ingredients you can use that are good for your health. We’re gonna explore this topic further, but first, here’s a sneak peek.
- Ingredients for a Healthy Pizza Sauce
- Specifications of a Healthy Pizza Sauce
- How to Make Pizza Sauce with Garlic
- How to Make Healthy Pizza Sauce with Ginger
Ingredients for a Healthy Pizza Sauce
Fresh, homemade pizza sauce is truly the best option out there, and it’s way better than anything you can buy pre-made. And here’s why:
- It’s inexpensive.
- You avoid preservatives and artificial colors.
- It generally contains less sodium compared to store-bought alternatives.
- You can control the amount of added sugars.
- It’s an easy way to sneak in extra veggies.
Specifications of a Healthy Pizza Sauce
There are several ways to whip up pizza sauce that’s both nutritious and delicious. The core revolves around tomatoes, but you can mix in other tasty and beneficial ingredients, such as red bell peppers, garlic, and herbs. These additions can add a personal touch to your pizza, along with a range of nutrients such as fiber and antioxidants.
How to Make Pizza Sauce with Garlic
Italian pizza sauce often stands out with the addition of ample amounts of fresh garlic. Beyond the amazing flavor, it has many health benefits. It’s packed with powerful antioxidants and essential minerals like selenium, which strengthens immunity. If you want the step-by-step, here’s how:
1. Required Ingredients
Here’s your grocery list:
- 12 cloves of fresh garlic.
- 9 tomatoes.
- 1/2 green bell pepper.
- A large can of low-sodium tomato paste.
- Two small cans of tomato sauce.
- 1/2 teaspoon of chili flakes.
- 2 teaspoons of oregano or basil.
- 2 teaspoons of salt.
- 1 teaspoon of black pepper.
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
2. Preparation Method
Follow these steps:
- Chop the tomatoes and bell pepper into tiny pieces, try not to waste the juices and pulp.
- In a blender, combine the chopped vegetables with the garlic cloves, or chop them very finely to get a nice blend.
- Pour the mixture into a deep skillet appropriate for oven use.
- Put the skillet in a moderately hot oven.
- Once the mixture thickens and its color starts to shift towards brown, remove it from the oven.
- Let it cool for five minutes.
- At this stage, add olive oil for about 30 seconds.
- Add to the oil, the vegetable mixture.
- Add the spices, pepper, and salt.
- Stir the mixture very well over low heat for a few minutes.
After completing the previous steps, you’ve got a healthy, nutritious, and delicious pizza sauce. You can enjoy it immediately, freeze it, or refrigerate it for up to a week.
This sauce isn’t just for pizza, it’s fantastic on toast, crackers, or with some whole wheat bread and white cheese for a quick and satisfying snack.
How to Make Healthy Pizza Sauce with Ginger
Similar to the previous recipe, but instead of heavy doses of green bell pepper and garlic, you can add a touch of grated ginger to achieve a unique and distinct flavor.
By including ginger in the recipe, you’re not just adding a unique flavor, but a ton of health benefits. Ginger is rich in vitamin A, known for boosting immunity and protecting eye, skin, and hair health.
Here’s how to make pizza sauce with ginger:
1. Required Ingredients
You’ll need the following:
- A medium onion.
- 4 medium tomatoes.
- Grated ginger.
- A clove of garlic.
- A tablespoon of olive oil.
- A pinch of salt.
- Ground ginger.
- A large can of low-sodium tomato paste.
- Pepper and various spices to taste.
2. Preparation Method
Follow these steps:
- Chop the onion and sauté until golden.
- Grate the ginger.
- Dice the tomatoes into small pieces.
- Place a dash of olive oil over low heat and add the garlic and then the onion, stirring the mixture well.
- Add the grated ginger to the mixture and continue stirring.
- Add salt, pepper, and the remaining spices.
- Add the ginger near the end, so it doesn’t lose its flavor.
Adding ginger to this recipe will provide a sweet and tasty flavor, and has great nutritional value. This adds to the benefits of store-bought options which can tend to have unhealthy ingredients.
“I was skeptical at first, but making my own pizza sauce has been a game-changer! Not only does it taste fresher and more flavorful, but I also know exactly what’s going into it. It’s become a fun activity to do with my kids, and we love experimenting with different herbs and spices. Plus, it’s so much healthier than the store-bought stuff loaded with sugar and preservatives.”
“I used to rely on ready-made sauces for convenience, but after trying a homemade version, I’m never going back! The taste is incomparable, and the fact that I can control the sodium and sugar levels is a huge win. It’s surprising how easy it is to whip up a batch, and the end result is a pizza that tastes like it came straight from a gourmet kitchen.”
Myth & Facts
Myth: Making pizza sauce from scratch is too time-consuming for a weeknight meal.
Fact: Homemade pizza sauce can be quick! With a few simple ingredients and about 20 minutes, you can have a delicious and healthy sauce ready to go. Plus, you can make a big batch and freeze it for future use.
Myth: Homemade pizza sauce won’t taste as good as store-bought versions.
Fact: Homemade sauce can be incredibly flavorful. By using fresh ingredients and customizing the herbs and spices to your liking, you can create a sauce that far surpasses anything you can buy in a store. Experiment with different combinations to find your perfect blend!
So, we’ve learned making your own pizza sauce is not only easy but also a fantastic way to control what goes into your meal. It’s all about taking simple steps to enjoy healthier, tastier food. Give these recipes a try, experiment with flavors, and make pizza night a truly guilt-free pleasure.
