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    Home » Recipes » Sauce

    Low Sodium Pizza Sauce

    Published: Feb 15, 2024 · Post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Easy low-sodium pizza sauce with half the sodium of store-bought pizza sauce. No cook, ready in 5 minutes, budget-friendly.

    jar of low salt pizza sauce with a handwritten label next to a can of tomato sauce and pita pizzas.
    • About Low Salt Pizza Sauce
      • Ingredients
        • Recipe Cost
    • How to Make Low Sodium Pizza Sauce
    • Recipe Tips
      • Variations
        • Ingredient Options
        • How to Make Allergy-Friendly
        • How to Fix a Mistake
      • Make-Ahead Ideas
      • Storage Suggestions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Difference Between Pasta Sauce and Pizza Sauce
      • Nutrition Benefits
        • Low Salt Pizza Sauce Sodium Content
      • What to Serve with Low Sodium Pizza Sauce

    About Low Salt Pizza Sauce

    If you're looking for a low sodium pizza sauce, this is for you!

    With less than half of the sodium found in most store-bought pizza sauce, you still get all the flavor.

    Plus, it takes 5 minutes to make and needs no cook time. Oh, and it's very budget-friendly, even if you use parmesan cheese.

    Simply stir the ingredients together, and it's ready to go.

    Not only is this pizza sauce lower in sodium, but it's also lower in added sugar with only one teaspoon of honey for the entire recipe.

    To top it all off, this homemade low-salt pizza sauce is delicious and you'd never know it's low in sodium.

    Be sure to check out the sodium content, variations, and options for this pizza sauce to make it work for your preferences.

    This pizza sauce also freezes well if you have leftovers that you aren't going to use in the next week.

    Looking for more low-sodium sauce recipes? Check out my recipes for Low Sodium Salsa and Low Sodium BBQ Sauce.

    can of tomato paste, bowl of grated parmesan, can of tomato sauce, bowl of spices, cup of water, and a bowl of honey on a white counter with text overlay describing each ingredient.

    Ingredients

    Tomato sauce: Canned no-salt-added tomato sauce is recommended to keep this from being higher in sodium.

    Tomato paste: I prefer the tomato sauce from a can because it's more budget-friendly and easier to get out of the container. Plus, it comes in 6-ounce cans so there's no measuring involved; simply use the entire can.

    However, tomato paste from the tube will also work.

    Honey: For a touch of sweetness, add a little honey. It's not much but it enhances the sweetness of the tomatoes to give the pizza sauce a nice depth of flavor.

    For a vegan option, use granulated sugar.

    Spices: The spices in this low sodium pizza sauce recipe are onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and salt.

    Parmesan (optional): Parmesan in the pizza sauce helps the sauce stay on the pizza crust and gives it extra flavor, but it's optional.

    Recipe Cost

    • Tomato sauce 8-ounce can: $0.53
    • Tomato paste 6-ounce can: $0.88
    • Honey 2 teaspoons: $0.19
    • Onion powder ½ teaspoon: $0.16
    • Garlic powder ½ teaspoon: $0.04
    • Italian seasoning 1.5 teaspoons: $0.27
    • Salt ¼ teaspoon: $0.01
    • Red pepper flakes ¼ teaspoon: $0.05
    • Black pepper ¼ teaspoon: $0.03
    • Parmesan ¼ cup: $0.64

    TOTAL COST: $2.80 or $0.28/serving (Based on San Diego grocery stores 2024)

    Note that this is not the recipe; it's simply to show the cost breakdown of ingredients. Scroll down to the full recipe to see the specific ingredients and directions.

    six photo collage with a yellow bowl making pizza sauce using canned tomato sauce and tomato paste, adding honey and spices, then stirring it all together.

    How to Make Low Sodium Pizza Sauce

    Time needed: 5 minutes

    Super simple, low sodium pizza sauce recipe is budget-friendly and needs no cooking. Here's how to make pizza sauce with tomato sauce:

    1. Add tomato sauce and tomato paste to a bowl.

    2. Stir together.

    3. Add in water and honey.

    4. Carefully stir it all together.

    5. Add spices.

      Stir well.

    6. Enjoy!

      jar with low sodium pizza sauce next to a white plate with a pita pizza all on a wooden table.

    Recipe Tips

    *Use a non-reactive bowl like plastic, glass, or bamboo. Do not use a metal bowl.

    *Adding parmesan to the pizza sauce helps the sauce stay on the pizza crust and gives it extra flavor, but it's optional.

    Variations

    Ingredient Options

    Honey: If you do not want to use honey, use an equal amount of granulated sugar.

    How to Make Allergy-Friendly

    This low salt pizza sauce is naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, nut-free, and vegetarian.

    If you want it to be vegan, omit the honey and use an equal amount of granulated sugar in its place.

    How to Fix a Mistake

    Too thin: You can simmer the pizza sauce on the stove over medium heat for 10-15 minutes until it thickens.

    Too thick: If it's too thick, stir in 1 tablespoon of water at a time until it reaches your desired consistency.

    Lacks flavor: Let it sit for at least 1 hour before adding extra seasoning.

    If needed, add extra spices in ⅛ teaspoon increments. Or add one or two minced cloves of garlic. Also, you can add 1 teaspoon of chopped fresh herbs like basil or oregano.

    yellow bowl with tomato sauce, tomato paste, onion flakes, garlic powder, black pepper, and red pepper flakes with a fork to stir.

    Make-Ahead Ideas

    The low-salt pizza sauce is perfect to make ahead of time.

    Storage Suggestions

    Store the pizza sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days or in the freezer for up to 6 weeks.

    It's best to store it in small bags or containers so you can defrost only what you need.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Does pizza sauce need salt?

    Pizza sauce does not need added salt to taste good. This recipe proves it's still tasty as a no salt pizza sauce.

    How to make pizza sauce with tomato sauce?

    Make a quick and easy pizza sauce using a combo of tomato sauce and tomato paste along with spices.

    Is pizza sauce high in sodium?

    Store-bought pizza sauce is high in sodium with between 200 and 250 mg of sodium per serving. If you make a homemade version, you can decrease it as low as 19 mg sodium per serving.glass jar with homemade pizza sauce on a wooden table with an empty tomato paste can next to a plate with pita pizzas.

    Difference Between Pasta Sauce and Pizza Sauce

    The difference between pasta sauce vs pizza sauce is that pizza sauce is usually not cooked until it is on the pizza.

    Similarly, in spaghetti sauce vs pizza sauce, spaghetti sauce is cooked before topping spaghetti pasta, and pizza sauce is not cooked until it's added to the pizza crust.

    Nutrition Benefits

    On top of the fact that this pizza sauce has less sodium than store-bought pizza sauce, it's also quite nutritious.

    One ¼ cup serving provides 21% RDA of Vitamin C and 2 grams of fiber.

    Using canned tomato ingredients increases the lycopene content. The heat used to can the tomatoes helps release the lycopene stored in tomatoes but is less bioavailable in fresh tomatoes.

    Lycopene is a phytochemical that can help promote heart health and prevent certain cancers like prostate cancer plus so much more.

    empty cans with a blue spatula next to a yellow bowl with tomato sauce and tomato paste.

    Low Salt Pizza Sauce Sodium Content

    • ¼ teaspoon salt + 1-ounce parmesan cheese = 117 mg sodium per serving (5% DV)
    • ¼ teaspoon salt + no parmesan cheese = 77 mg sodium per serving (3% DV)
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt + 1-ounce parmesan cheese = 88 mg sodium per serving (4% DV)
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt + no parmesan cheese = 48 mg sodium per serving (2% DV)
    • no salt + no parmesan cheese = 19 mg sodium per serving (1% DV)

    After testing the recipe multiple ways, I honestly think it's delicious with no added salt for a no salt pizza sauce.

    white plate with two slices of roasted vegetables pizza next to parmesan, fresh basil, a microplane, a bowl of pizza sauce, and a baking sheet with pizza.

    What to Serve with Low Sodium Pizza Sauce

    This versatile, homemade, low-sodium pizza sauce can be used as a base for a pizza, as a topping for chicken, in soup, or as a dipping sauce.

    Some recipes to use your homemade pizza sauce include Roasted Veggie Pizza, Pizza Pasta Soup, Zucchini Pizza Bites, Pizza Chicken, and Pizza Casserole.

    Final thoughts:

    You'll love this quick and easy pizza sauce recipe that needs no cooking. It's great even if you aren't trying to reduce your sodium intake.

    If you are using this as a dipping sauce, I recommend adding ¼ teaspoon of salt plus parmesan cheese. But please note the sodium content above if you need a very low-sodium pizza sauce.

    RECIPES WITH PIZZA SAUCE YOU'LL LOVE:

    • Pizza Pasta Soup
    • Roasted Vegetable Pizza
    • Pizza Chicken
    • Zucchini Pizza Bites
    • Pizza Casserole
    jar of low salt pizza sauce with a handwritten label next to a can of tomato sauce and pita pizzas.

    Low Sodium Pizza Sauce

    Easy homemade low-sodium pizza sauce with half the sodium of store-bought pizza sauce. No cook, ready in 5 minutes, budget-friendly.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 10
    Author: Meme
    Total Cost: $2.80 or $0.28/serving

    Ingredients

    • 8 ounce no-salt added tomato sauce
    • 6 ounce tomato paste
    • 6 ounces warm water ¾ cup
    • 2 teaspoons honey
    • ½ teaspoon onion powder or dried onion flakes
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder or 1 teaspoon minced garlic
    • 1 ½ teaspoon salt-free Italian seasoning
    • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ cup parmesan cheese grated, about 1 ounce (optional)
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • In a large plastic or glass bowl, whisk the tomato sauce, tomato paste, and water together.
    • Whisk in honey and water.
    • Stir in all the spices and parmesan, if using.
    • Best if covered tightly and let sit for at least an hour. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

    Notes

    *You can use the pizza sauce immediately. Cover and refrigerate when not in use.
    *Makes 2.5 cups (20 ounces)
    *I like to freeze the sauce in ½ cup containers, so I can defrost the amount I need to make a pizza.
    *Store in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze for up to 6 weeks.
    *Nutrition facts do not include parmesan cheese.
    Did you try this recipe?Be sure to leave a comment & recipe rating below. Bonus points for tagging @memeinge & #livingwellkitchen on Instagram! THANK YOU! xo

    Meme

    This post was originally published on October 7, 2014. Text, recipe, and photos have been updated.


    Low Sodium Pizza Sauce Nutrition Facts

    Nutrition Facts
    Low Sodium Pizza Sauce
    Serving Size
     
    0.25 cup
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    29
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    0.02
    g
    0
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    0.01
    g
    0
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    0.01
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    0.004
    g
    Sodium
     
    49
    mg
    2
    %
    Potassium
     
    71
    mg
    2
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    7
    g
    2
    %
    Fiber
     
    2
    g
    8
    %
    Sugar
     
    4
    g
    4
    %
    Protein
     
    1
    g
    2
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    27
    IU
    1
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    17
    mg
    21
    %
    Calcium
     
    7
    mg
    1
    %
    Iron
     
    1
    mg
    6
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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    Meme holding Watson at a restaurant in san diego.

    Hi, I'm Meme!

    A thirty-something registered dietitian nutritionist here to help you enjoy food, make eating easier, and live free of diets & shame.

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