Marinara Sauce

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 garlic clove, finely chopped

1 celery stalk, finely chopped

1 carrots, peeled and finely chopped

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 (32-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes

1 dried bay leaves

To Make

In a large pot, heat the oil over a medium-high flame. Add the onions and garlic and saute until the onions are translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the celery, carrots, and 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Saute until all the vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes. Add the tomatoes and bay leaves, and simmer uncovered over low heat until the sauce thickens, about 1 hour. Remove and discard the bay leaves. Season the sauce with more salt and pepper, to taste.

(The sauce can be made 1 day ahead. Cool, then cover and refrigerate. Rewarm over medium heat before using.)

Recipe courtesy of

Giada De Laurentiis

Show: Everyday Italian

Episode: Perfect Pairings

Exquisite Pizza Sauce

Recipe by: Angie Gorkoff

 "This sauce is wonderfully flavorful and is worth adding in the numerous ingredients."

1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste

6 fluid ounces warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)

3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon minced garlic

2 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon anchovy paste (optional)

3/4 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram

1/4 teaspoon dried basil

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/8 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes

salt to taste

To Make

In a small bowl, combine tomato paste, water, Parmesan cheese, garlic, honey, anchovy paste, onion powder, oregano, marjoram, basil, ground black pepper, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes and salt; mix together, breaking up any clumps of cheese.

Sauce should sit for 30 minutes to blend flavors; spread over pizza dough and prepare pizza as desired.

Easy No-Cook Pizza Sauce

1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce

1 tablespoon onion powder

1 tablespoon white sugar

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon garlic pepper

To Make

Stir tomato sauce, onion powder, sugar, oregano, and garlic pepper seasoning together in a bowl until smooth.

Kickin’ Hawaiian Pizza

Isn't it about time for a fun new twist on your usual pizza? Pineapple adds pizzazz and honey lends a touch of sweetness to the sauce in this wonderful Hawaiian pizza recipe. Give it a try today! —John Weakland, Springfield, Oregon

Kickin' Hawaiian Pizza Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Test Kitchen Approved

Contest Winner

4 plum tomatoes, coarsely chopped

1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup roasted sweet red peppers

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1 tablespoon honey

2 teaspoons dried minced garlic

2 teaspoons paprika

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

2 tubes (13.8 ounces each) refrigerated pizza crust

2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided

1 cup shredded Romano cheese, divided

1 package (3-1/2 ounces) sliced pepperoni

1 cup pineapple tidbits, drained

To Make

For sauce, place the first 10 ingredients in a food processor; cover and process until blended. Transfer to a small saucepan; heat through.

Meanwhile, press pizza dough into a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan; build up edges slightly and seal seam. Bake at 425° for 6-8 minutes or until lightly browned.

Spread 1-3/4 cups sauce over crust (refrigerate remaining sauce for another use). Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella and 1/2 cup Romano; top with pepperoni, pineapple and remaining cheeses.

Bake for 14-18 minutes or until cheese is melted and crust is golden brown.

Originally published as Kicking Hawaiian Pizza in Simple & Delicious January/February 2010

Cauliflower Crust

This comes from a friend of mine. Her post is pasted below.

SOMETIMES I'm good at posting things in a timely manner...most of the time I am not.

Last weekend we finally tried cauliflower crust pizza with goat cheese, prosciutto and mushrooms on top.  It was incredibly delicious!  Cauliflower of all things!  

Pics are (C) 2018 Heather Nedham

Canadian Pizza

1 pizza crust

6 oz tomato pizza sauce

6 oz bacon, chopped

6 oz fresh mushrooms, sliced

6 oz pepperoni slices

1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion (optional)

1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper (optional)

1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (2 oz) or more if your preference 

To Make

Heat oven to 400°F. Spray or grease 15x10-inch or larger dark or nonstick cookie sheet. Unroll dough on cookie sheet; starting at center, press out dough into a circle.

Top dough tomato sauce then with half of the cheddar cheese

Arrange bacon, pepperoni, mushrooms and the rest of the cheddar cheese to within 1/2 inch of edges. Sprinkle with Cheddar cheese.

Bake regular crust 16 to 20 minutes, thin crust 10 to 14 minutes, or until crust is deep golden brown. Cut into 8 servings.