Authentic Italian Pizza Sauce Recipe – A Family Recipe from Naples

Authentic Italian Pizza Sauce Recipe - A Family Recipe from Naples
original pizza
Basil bowl for pizza

There’s something special about a Neapolitan sauce. It’s all about good ingredients and not fussing too much.

I’ve got everything ready to go in my kitchen. If you want to learn how to make it and slap it on some homemade pizza, I’m here to show you how. Let’s get started!

Italian Pizza Sauce Ingredients

I’ve been messing around with different pizza styles and sauces, and I’ve finally nailed this one.

Grab the best tomatoes you can find, fresh or canned San Marzano if you’re going for gold.

Mash ’em up until they’re smooth or chunky, your call.

Then, get some top-shelf olive oil in there, it’s a game-changer.

Toss in a basil leaf or a dash of oregano for that classic taste, and don’t forget a pinch of salt. Skip the fancy seasonings, just keep it real.

If you like a bit of heat, a teaspoon of red pepper flakes should do the trick.

Give it a good stir, taste, and tweak if needed.

In this case, less is more. Just a dab on your dough, and you’re good to go.

But what’s the point of learning only how to make the sauce, if you don’t know the recipe for the pizza, right?

So, here is a detailed recipe for the “real” Neapolitan pizza.

Neapolitan Pizza

Main Ingredients
Pizza Dough
Authentic Italian Pizza Sauce
Fresh Mozzarella Cheese
Fresh Basil Leaves
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt

“The traditional Neapolitan pizza is so highly regarded that it is recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity”

Instructions

So, you’ve got your pizza dough ready, right?

It doesn’t matter if you made it from scratch or grabbed some from the store, just make sure it’s nice and thin.

Now, for the sauce, just a thin layer will do. It’s all about that authentic Italian vibe, so don’t go overboard.

Next, throw on some fresh mozzarella and rip up a few basil leaves on top. That’s the secret combo for that classic Neapolitan taste.

A little drizzle of olive oil for that extra flavor, and a pinch of salt, but keep in mind the sauce already has some.

When you bake it, crank your oven as high as it’ll go.

In perfect circumstances, a wood-fired oven is the one to use. Otherwise, a regular oven will work just fine.

If you’re considering investing in a pizza oven, evaluate your cooking preferences and available space to choose the right one for your needs.

You want it in there just until the edges get a nice char and the cheese looks like melted perfection, which should be no more than a couple of minutes.

Last Words

If you want a real Italian pizza sauce, just keep it simple and use the best ingredients. It’s perfect for a traditional Neapolitan pizza and works great with other recipes too.