The Authentic Neapolitan Pizza Sauce Recipe That Wows Every Time

My culinary journey through authentic Neapolitan pizza sauce has been a delightful exploration of simplicity and flavor.

San marzano tomatoes burst with rich, sun-kissed sweetness that defines this classic preparation.

Passionate Italian chefs understand that minimal ingredients create maximum impact in their legendary recipes.

Naples cherishes each carefully selected component with remarkable precision.

Crushed tomatoes, fresh basil, and a pinch of salt dance together in harmonious balance.

Salt brings out the tomatoes’ natural brightness, creating a vibrant sauce that speaks directly to your senses.

You’ll want to savor every spoonful of this remarkable sauce that captures the essence of traditional Italian cooking.

Authentic Neapolitan Pizza Sauce Made from Fresh Ingredients

• Simplify Sauce Making: Crush tomatoes by hand for a rustic, authentic texture that connects you directly to traditional Italian cooking techniques.
• Zero Cooking Required: Prepare this vibrant sauce without heat, saving time and preserving the fresh, bright flavors of raw San Marzano tomatoes.
• Ingredient Flexibility: Customize the sauce with optional basil leaves and olive oil, allowing personal creativity while maintaining the classic Neapolitan spirit.
• Minimal Ingredient Magic: Create a delicious sauce with just a few high-quality ingredients, proving that simple can be spectacularly delicious.

What You Need for Neapolitan Pizza Sauce

• San Marzano Tomatoes: A prized Italian tomato variety known for its sweet flavor and low acidity, perfect for creating an authentic Neapolitan pizza sauce.

• Sea Salt: Enhances the natural flavors of the tomatoes and balances the sauce's taste.
• Fresh Basil Leaves: Adds a fragrant, herbaceous note that complements the tomatoes and provides a classic Italian touch.

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Adds a smooth, rich flavor and helps blend the sauce ingredients together.

Step-by-Step Neapolitan Pizza Sauce Preparation

Step 1: Prepare Tomato Base

Open the can of San Marzano tomatoes and carefully transfer them into a mixing bowl.

Gently crush the tomatoes using your clean hands, creating a rustic, slightly chunky texture that will give your sauce authentic character.

Step 2: Season the Sauce

Sprinkle sea salt over the crushed tomatoes.

Use your hands or a spoon to mix the salt thoroughly, ensuring the seasoning is evenly distributed throughout the sauce.

Taste and adjust the salt level to your preference.

Step 3: Enhance With Fresh Herbs

Carefully tear fresh basil leaves into small pieces directly over the tomato mixture.

Gently fold the herb fragments into the sauce, allowing the basil to release its aromatic oils and infuse the sauce with a bright, fresh flavor.

Step 4: Optional Olive Oil Finish

If desired, drizzle a thin stream of extra virgin olive oil over the sauce.

Softly stir the oil into the tomato mixture, creating a silky texture and adding a luxurious depth of flavor that complements the fresh tomatoes and basil.

Step 5: Final Sauce Preparation

Give the sauce a final gentle stir to ensure all ingredients are well combined.

Your Neapolitan pizza sauce is now ready to be spread on pizza dough or stored for later use.

The sauce can be used immediately or refrigerated for up to 3 days.

Pro Tips for Balanced and Flavorful Neapolitan Sauce

• Use clean hands to break down San Marzano tomatoes, ensuring a rustic, slightly chunky texture that captures authentic Neapolitan style.
• Choose high-quality San Marzano tomatoes and sea salt for the most genuine and flavorful pizza sauce possible.
• Add sea salt gradually and taste as you go, preventing over-salting and maintaining the delicate tomato flavor.
• Tear fresh basil leaves by hand, releasing their aromatic oils and creating a more vibrant, traditional sauce.
• Use extra virgin olive oil sparingly to add richness without overwhelming the pure tomato essence.

Variations to Experiment with Neapolitan Pizza Sauce

• Rustic Roasted Tomato Variation: Swap San Marzano tomatoes with fire-roasted canned tomatoes for a deeper, smokier flavor profile. Drain excess liquid before crushing for a thicker consistency.
• Spicy Chili Kick Variation: Add finely chopped fresh red chili or a pinch of red pepper flakes to introduce a subtle heat that complements the tomato's natural sweetness.
• Herb Garden Blend Variation: Replace basil with a mix of fresh oregano, thyme, and parsley for a more complex herbal undertone that enhances the sauce's traditional Italian character.
• Vegan Garden Fresh Variation: Keep the core recipe unchanged, ensuring it remains naturally vegan-friendly. Consider adding a splash of nutritional yeast for extra depth and umami flavor.

Serving Ideas for Neapolitan Pizza Sauce

• Pizza Picnic Paradise: Spread the sauce on a checkered blanket for an outdoor Italian-style lunch with friends.
• Dipping Delight: Serve extra sauce in small ceramic bowls alongside crispy breadsticks or garlic crostini for appetizer lovers.
• Marinara Magic: Use leftover sauce as a quick dressing for salads or a zesty topping for grilled vegetables, transforming simple ingredients into gourmet treats.
• Freezer-Friendly Technique: Store extra sauce in small containers for future pizza nights or quick pasta meals, preserving the fresh San Marzano tomato flavor.

Storage Guidelines for Neapolitan Pizza Sauce

• Store sauce in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Seal tightly to prevent flavor loss and keep away from strong-smelling foods.
• Transfer sauce to freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags, leaving slight space for expansion. Freeze flat for easy storage, lasting up to 3 months. Label with date for tracking.
• Warm sauce in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water if needed to restore original consistency. Heat until warmed through, about 3-5 minutes.
• Pour sauce into microwave-safe dish. Cover with microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with small vent. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until thoroughly warm.

FAQs

• Why use San Marzano tomatoes?

San Marzano tomatoes are sweeter, less acidic, and have fewer seeds compared to regular tomatoes, making them perfect for creating an authentic, rich pizza sauce with superior flavor.

• Can I make the sauce ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the sauce up to 3 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, which allows the flavors to meld and intensify.

• Is it necessary to cook the sauce before using?

No, this traditional Neapolitan method uses raw, crushed tomatoes, preserving the fresh, bright tomato flavor essential to authentic Italian pizza sauce.

• How fine should I crush the tomatoes?

Aim for a slightly chunky consistency – not completely smooth, but broken down enough to spread easily on pizza dough, maintaining some texture and rustic feel.

Authentic Neapolitan Pizza Sauce Recipe

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4.8 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Rustic Neapolitan pizza sauce blends San Marzano tomatoes with fresh basil and extra virgin olive oil. Chefs from Naples craft this simple yet remarkable sauce, ensuring pure Mediterranean flavors dance across homemade pizza crusts you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 can (28 ounces / 794 grams) San Marzano tomatoes

Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1–2 teaspoons sea salt

Garnish and Optional Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil
• A few leaves fresh basil

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Instructions

1. Empty whole San Marzano tomatoes into a spacious mixing vessel, preparing for manual transformation.
2. Gently disintegrate tomatoes with clean hands, creating a rustic texture with slight irregularities and minimal liquid.
3. Sprinkle sea salt across the surface, thoroughly integrating for balanced seasoning throughout the sauce.
4. Delicately tear fresh basil leaves into small fragments, distributing evenly across tomato mixture to infuse aromatic herbaceous notes.
5. Enhance the sauce’s richness by introducing a gentle stream of extra virgin olive oil, stirring to incorporate a luxurious, silky dimension.

Notes

• Crush tomatoes gently to maintain a rustic, authentic texture that captures the essence of traditional Neapolitan cooking.
• Choose high-quality San Marzano tomatoes for their sweet flavor and low acidity, which are crucial to creating an exceptional pizza sauce.
• Fresh basil adds a vibrant, aromatic note that elevates the sauce’s flavor profile, bringing a burst of freshness to every bite.
• Skip the olive oil if you prefer a lighter sauce, or use it sparingly to enhance the tomatoes’ natural richness without overwhelming the delicate flavor.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 35 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 2 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1.7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg