Simple Oil-Free Vegan Pizza Sauce Recipe

This simple oil-free vegan pizza sauce recipe makes homemade pizza night a breeze. In 5 minutes, with ingredients straight from the panty. No chopping or mincing. All you need to do is mix the ingredients - no cooking is required!

I love making homemade pizza loaded with veggies, fresh basil, and meaty tofu sausage crumbles or sheet-pan tofu bacon. But the sauce was always an afterthought. Or I got elaborate pureeing canned tomatoes in the food processor, only to ruin my sweet potato pizza crust with watery sauce. Guess what? I solved that problem in the simplest of ways. 

This easy recipe is a return to basic ingredients. Tomato paste and tomato sauce plus seasoning. No canned tomatoes (too thin). No fresh tomatoes that have to be reduced. No need for olive oil to weigh things down. And I borrowed my balsamic vinegar twist from my quick arrabbiata sauce for a flavorful pizza sauce you can depend on. 

⭐ Why You'll Love This Recipe

• There's no soggy pizza dough with this thick and delicious sauce with the perfect consistency. 
• This easy recipe makes enough for 2 large pizzas, and it's freezer-friendly, so there's no waste. 
• Perfect for toasted pita pocket pizzas or spreading over toasted bread with veggies and a dollop of vegan ricotta cheese. 
• Add this yummy homemade pizza sauce over baked quinoa crust to make a gluten-free meal. 

📋 Recipe Ingredients

Tomato paste. Use a good quality tomato paste (tomato puree) with no added sugar or other flavorings. I like the tube variety because I don't have to worry about ending up with an opened can that gets shoved to the back of the fridge and is forgotten the next time I make marinara sauce or Instant Pot Bolognese. 

Tomato sauce. Use unsweetened, unflavored tomato sauce. I used a basic store variety and my own seasonings to make a flavorful sauce under my control. 

Balsamic vinegar. I used to use red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar (good substitutes), but balsamic has less bite, and a sweet, rich flavor balances the acidity of the tomatoes. 

Cayenne pepper. You can make this optional or add a little black pepper if you don't want too much spice. Red chili or pepper flakes are a quick option. For a smoky sauce, use smoked paprika. 

Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list of ingredients with measurements plus recipe instructions.

📖 Recipe Variations

• The great thing about making your own sauce is adding what you like. Besides spices, add fresh herbs like basil, oregano, or rosemary. If you don't want to chop them, use an immersion blender.
• I used a little umami trick with my last homemade pizza and whisked hemp seed vegan parmesan into the sauce. Add a tablespoon or more nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor. 

⏲️ Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Mix the tomato paste, sauce, maple syrup, and balsamic vinegar in a small bowl. 

Step 2: Stir in the remaining spices. Taste and adjust. 

🥣 Pro Tips

Vigorously stir or whisk the tomato paste. I do this before adding the spices to see that it's thoroughly mixed. 

Denise's Tip: Remember, you can always add spices or flavorings. If you are unsure, start with half, stir, taste, and adjust. 

Homemade Pizza Pro Tips

• No matter what kind of pizza you make or crusts from whole wheat to cauliflower, I've found the best results using a few simple rules: 
• Pre-bake the pizza crust (if it's homemade).
• Preheat the oven and warm the pizza stone or pan before baking the crust and pizza. 
• Add the sauce and toppings right before baking. 

🍴 Serving Suggestions

What's the best part about this easy homemade pizza sauce? The pizza, of course! I probably don't need to tell you what to add, like mushrooms, red onion, bell peppers, black olives, or artichokes (a few of my favorite toppings).  Plus, pizza is such a great way to use leftover veggies. There is no limit to the combinations you and your family can make! 

And yes, vegan pizza is delicious, satisfying, and fun to make. No holding back - make your best pizza with this easy, healthy sauce as often as you like. 

💭 Frequently Asked Questions