Chef John's Secret Pizza Sauce

ID: 59f35399...

This is a rich, flavorful pizza sauce with a secret twist. It combines fresh and dried oregano, garlic, and a hint of spice with high-quality San Marzano tomatoes. The secret ingredients, anchovies and a pinch of baking soda, create a deep umami flavor and a perfectly balanced, non-acidic sauce.

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Cooking Time
About 45-50 minutes
Difficulty
easy
Servings
Makes about 3-4 cups, enough for several pizzas

🍳 Cooking Flow

Sauté anchovy fillets, minced garlic, fresh and dried oregano, and chili flakes in olive oil over low heat. → Add a can of hand-crushed San Marzano tomatoes, season with salt, sugar, and pepper. → Simmer gently for 35-40 minutes, stirring the surface oil back into the sauce. → Finish by stirring in a tiny pinch of baking soda to mellow the acidity. → Cool slightly before using on pizza.

Cooking Steps

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Ingredients List

Fresh oregano:About 2 tablespoons, finely chopped
Good quality olive oil:About 1/4 cup
Anchovy fillets:2
Garlic:About 2 tablespoons, finely minced
Red chili flakes:About 1/2 teaspoon, or to taste
Dried oregano:About 1 teaspoon
Canned San Marzano peeled tomatoes:1 can (28 oz)
Salt:To taste
Sugar:A pinch (about 1/2 teaspoon)
Black pepper:To taste
Baking soda:A tiny pinch

Important Notes

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Using authentic San Marzano tomatoes from Italy is key for the best flavor and texture.

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The anchovies are a secret ingredient for umami; they dissolve completely and will not make the sauce taste fishy.

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Do not skim the olive oil that separates during cooking. It's full of flavor and should be stirred back into the sauce.

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Crushing tomatoes by hand provides a better, more rustic texture than using a food processor or blender.

📺Channel:Food Wishes
👀Views:5,727,970
👍Likes:64,091
📅Published:2/8/2012

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