Make-Your-Own Pizzas with Homemade Pizza Sauce
Customized pizzas topped with a simply sweet & savory pizza sauce & your choice of toppings, made in the comfort of your own home. It's not delivery, it's DIY Pizza Time!
Ingredients
- 1 large can of crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 c white or yellow onion, diced
- 2-3 Tbsp fresh minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp ExtraVirgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
- 1-2 Tbsp white granulated sugar
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried marjoram
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 2 dried bay leaves
- salt and pepper, to taste
- Your choice of pizza crust(s): I prefer Pillsbury refrigerated Classic Pizza Crust or Martha White Pizza Crust mix.
- 1-2 Tbsp EVOO (dependent on the variety of pizza crust you choose)
- 1 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 1 lb bag of shredded mozzarella cheese (I highly recommend Sargento Off the Block Mozzarella & Provolone shredded cheese, and no, they are not a paid sponsor. But I wish they would be! I’ll happily take payment in cheese.)
- Pepperoni,hamburger, Italian sausage, and any other meat topping(s) of your choice.
- Additional pizza toppings (according to your preference). These may include, but are not limited to: Green bell peppers, mushrooms, black olives, fresh spinach, banana peppers, pineapple, and/or onion.
Instructions
- For the Homemade Pizza Sauce: Heat the olive oil (EVOO) in a medium pot or saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the diced onion and simmer on medium heat until onion begins to soften, approximately 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low.
- Then, add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for an additional 2 minutes, until garlic becomes fragrant.
- Stir in the can of crushed tomatoes, sugar, and the remaining herbs & spices. Increase heat to medium-high, until the sauce begins to boil, stirring occasionally.
- Once the sauce reaches a boil, reduce heat to low again and cover. Simmer on low heat for at least 20 minutes (the longer it sits, the better it gets). This recipe makes enough pizza sauce for 2 pizzas.
- Important: Be sure to remove the dried bay leaves from the sauce and discard before consuming.
- For the Pizzas: Preheat oven to 375 ℉.
- Prepare the pizza crust of your choosing according to package directions. If making a pizza dough from a mix, add the appropriate amount of EVOO and also add 1 tsp. of garlic powder. Mix well. If you choose a pre-made pizza crust, sprinkle with 1 tsp. of garlic powder before pre-baking.
- Place the pizza crust(s) of your choosing onto a cookie sheet and/or pizza stone. (Multiple pans may be necessary, depending on how many pizzas you make.)
- Pre-bake the crust(s) for 5-6 minutes at 375 ℉.
- Remove from oven and brush the crust with 1 Tbsp. EVOO.
- Then, sprinkle each crust with 1 Tbsp. of grated Parmesan cheese, paying special attention to the edges of the crust.
- Increase the oven temperature to 400 ℉.
- Top each crust with the pizza sauce, cheese & and any toppings you wish to include.
- Bake at 400℉ for 8-15 minutes, until the cheese melts and begins to brown.
- Note: I like to turn the broiler in the oven on low for the last minute or so of baking. Thus, creating a golden brown & bubbly cheese atop each pizza.
- Allow to cool on wire rack for at least 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
