There’s something magical about pizza night, isn’t there? That moment when the smell of bubbling cheese and herby tomato sauce fills the kitchen — it just makes everything feel a little better. But here’s the truth: we don’t need to spend a fortune on takeout to enjoy that same flavor. We can make it right at home, and it all starts with one key thing — the fakeaway pizza sauce.

In this post, we’ll walk through how to make a rich, flavorful, and perfectly balanced pizza sauce that tastes like your favorite restaurant version — without the grease, the cost, or the waiting time.

Grab your apron, because we’re about to turn our kitchen into a pizzeria.

“Fakeaway” is our modern way of saying homemade takeout. It’s that clever trick we use to satisfy our cravings while keeping control over what actually goes into our food. A fakeaway pizza sauce is a homemade version of the classic pizzeria tomato sauce — simple ingredients, quick prep, and bold flavor.

We love this approach because it lets us make healthier swaps, reduce added sugar and salt, and still keep all the rich, comforting taste that makes pizza night special.

Let’s be honest — we’ve all grabbed a jar of store-bought pizza sauce at some point. It’s easy, sure. But if you’ve ever read the label closely, you’ve probably noticed the long list of ingredients, many of which we can’t even pronounce.

When we make our own fakeaway pizza sauce, we get:

• Real ingredients — nothing artificial, no hidden sugars.
• Custom flavor — we can make it spicy, herby, or classic Italian.
• Freshness — because we’re using real tomatoes, not something that’s been sitting on a shelf for months.
• Pride — that amazing feeling when we know we made the whole pizza from scratch.

And let’s not forget — it’s actually cheaper than buying ready-made sauce!

This recipe keeps things beautifully simple. Everything you need is probably already in your kitchen.

Here’s what we’ll use:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes or tomato passata
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• ¼ teaspoon dried thyme (optional, but lovely)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• A pinch of chili flakes (for a touch of heat)

That’s it — no fancy stuff, no preservatives, just pure, homemade goodness.

Making this sauce is easier than ordering delivery. Seriously. It takes less than 20 minutes, and most of that time it’s just simmering away while we enjoy the aroma.

Heat olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat.
Once it’s warm (but not smoking), add the minced garlic. Stir for about 30 seconds — just until it turns fragrant. Be careful not to burn it, or the whole sauce will turn bitter.

Next, pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir in the tomato paste. This combination gives us that thick, rich base we love on pizza.

Add oregano, basil, thyme, salt, pepper, and chili flakes. If your tomatoes taste a bit too sharp, this is when we add that tiny teaspoon of sugar — it balances everything beautifully.

Let the sauce simmer uncovered for 10–15 minutes. Stir occasionally, and watch as it thickens into that perfect, spreadable texture.
This is where the magic happens — the herbs release their oils, and the tomatoes develop a deeper, sweeter flavor.

Always taste before finishing. If it’s too tangy, add a pinch more sugar. Too thick? Add a splash of water or broth. Too mild? A touch more oregano or chili will fix that instantly.
And just like that — we’ve made our own fakeaway pizza sauce!

The real trick lies in layering flavor. Pizzeria sauces often taste so good because they simmer for hours and use deeply concentrated ingredients.
We can mimic that in a few smart ways:

• Use tomato paste: It’s concentrated umami.
• Cook the garlic first: It infuses the oil, giving the sauce depth.
• Simmer (don’t boil): Slow cooking keeps the sauce sweet, not sour.
• Let it rest: If we make the sauce ahead of time and chill it overnight, the flavors meld and intensify.

So even though it’s quick, our fakeaway sauce tastes like it’s been bubbling all day in a brick oven.

This sauce is super versatile. Of course, it’s perfect for classic homemade pizza, but that’s just the beginning.

Try it for:

• Calzones or stromboli
• Dipping sauce for mozzarella sticks or garlic bread
• Base for homemade pizza rolls
• Tomato layer in lasagna
• Quick pasta sauce in a pinch

Once we’ve got this sauce in the fridge, we’re basically ready for any craving that hits.

We know life gets busy, and having ready-made sauce can be a lifesaver. Thankfully, this one stores beautifully.

• In the fridge: Up to 5 days in an airtight container.
• In the freezer: Up to 3 months in freezer-safe jars or bags.

Pro tip: freeze the sauce in ice cube trays. Once frozen, transfer to a bag — that way, we can thaw just as much as we need next time.

One of the best parts of cooking at home is that we can adjust everything to our own taste.
Here are some fun variations we love to experiment with:

• Spicy Kick – add extra chili flakes or a few drops of hot sauce.
• Smoky Depth – stir in a teaspoon of smoked paprika.
• Sweet & Tangy – add caramelized onions or a splash of balsamic vinegar.
• Extra Herby – toss in fresh basil or parsley at the end.

We can even blend the sauce for a smoother texture or leave it chunky for that rustic Italian feel.

Even simple recipes have their pitfalls. Here’s what we’ve learned over the years:

1. Burning the garlic – it turns bitter fast. Keep the heat gentle.
2. Using too much sugar – a little balances flavor; too much makes it ketchup-y.
3. Overcooking – if it reduces too far, add a bit of water to bring it back.
4. Forgetting to taste – seasoning varies by brand of tomatoes. Always check before serving.

When we stay mindful of these small things, our sauce turns out perfect every time.

Once we’ve made this sauce a few times, it becomes second nature. The difference in flavor is honestly huge.
Where store-bought sauces can taste flat or overly sweet, ours has that fresh, balanced, and aromatic character that just makes pizza sing.

It’s the kind of sauce that makes us say, “Wow, did we really make this?” every single time.

Homemade fakeaway pizza sauce is proof that great food doesn’t need to be complicated. With a few pantry staples and 20 minutes of our time, we can make something that tastes like it came straight from our favorite pizzeria.

It’s rich, it’s bold, and it’s customizable — exactly how we like it.
Next pizza night, let’s skip the jar and make our own. Trust us, once we taste the difference, there’s no going back.

Quick Recap: Our Fakeaway Pizza Sauce Formula

Olive oil + garlic + crushed tomatoes + herbs + love = perfect pizza night.

Now all we need is a good dough, some melty mozzarella, and our favorite toppings — and we’re ready to serve up homemade pizza perfection.

Enjoy your meal! 🍕

Can’t wait to hear how yours turned out — drop me a comment below!

Thanks for being here! If you enjoyed the recipe, don’t forget to share it with your friends.

And if you’re still hungry for more, take a look at our earlier recipes — you might just find your next favorite!

The Only Ooni Pizza Dough Recipe You’ll Ever Need (Measured in Cups!)

The Best Stretchy Gluten-Free Pizza Dough (You Won’t Believe It’s Gluten-Free!)

Ketolicious Pizza Crust: The Low-Carb Game Changer You’ll Crave Every Week!