Made with simple, pantry staple ingredients, this sugar free pizza sauce is THICK and BOLD flavored! You can absolutely enjoy this homemade sauce with your baby, toddler, or older child!
Baby and kid friendly pizza sauce
This tomato sauce is bursting with flavor without all the sugar, salt, and additives that are normally found in store-bought versions. It's also rich and THICK as any good pizza sauce should be. It won't run off the crust or make it soggy.
Having said this, we all need a break from cooking sometimes, and it's so nice to have store-bought sauce on hand for days when we just...can't. When choosing one to enjoy with your baby, the most ideal option is one with minimal ingredients, sodium and sugar.
Related post: When can babies have sugar?
Ingredients
Tomato paste: This is a very important ingredient so don't skip it. It adds a rich, concentrated tomato flavor and really thickens up the sauce. When adding to this sauce as well as others, be sure to incorporate it at the beginning of the cooking process alongside other aromatics. As it caramelizes, it will taste less bitter and become sweeter, adding great depth and structure.
Another awesome thing about tomato paste is that it's actually a great source of iron!
Crushed tomatoes: Use a really good canned tomato like San Marzano. It is the main ingredient so don’t skimp on it! You'll definitely taste the difference.
Onion: be sure to finely grate or mince. I like to use my mini food chopper for small tasks like this (linked in the recipe card below).
Hemp hearts: They may be tiny but are packed with essential nutrients, including omega 3 fatty acids, iron, zinc, fiber, and protein (like quinoa, contain all the essential amino acids making them a complete protein source). Such an easy way to boost nutrition!
Fresh basil: Really brightens up the sauce! You can use dried if you wish. Just add it along with oregano.
Related post: Nuts and seeds for baby
How to make homemade pizza sauce
- Saute onion with oregano and tomato paste.
- Cook for 3-5 minutes to caramelize the tomato paste. Add garlic.
- Stir in tomatoes and hemp seeds and simmer (the longer you simmer, the more concentrated the flavors will become).
- Stir in fresh basil
Frequently Asked Questions
You can but when I did a side by side taste test, crushed tomatoes tasted better! It also provides just the right texture - not too watery or chunky.
If you use whole tomatoes in a can, add to food processor/blender and blend to a crushed texture
I don't recommend it. It is way too thick and concentrated. You can thin it out with water or broth, if you really want to toss it with pasta. If you're looking for a delicious spaghetti sauce, give this veggie-loaded baby pasta sauce a try!
Tomatoes are one of the most acidic fruits, and the acid content of canned tomatoes varies. That's why I recommend using high-quality tomatoes. Paying the extra couple of dollars will be well worth it!
In addition, caramelizing onion & tomato paste and simmering, as you see in this recipe, will help the flavors to become more concentrated and balance the acidity.
If necessary, you can add a pinch of baking soda.
Keep in mind, this sauce will be spread onto pizza dough, tortilla, bread, etc. and enjoyed with all kinds of toppings, which will also help mellow out the slight bitterness.
Yes! Cool completely in the fridge and portion into freezer-safe containers. Will keep for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw in the fridge overnight.
Tomatoes are not a common allergen. But they can cause a skin rash upon contact, which is oftentimes harmless. Same goes for other acidic foods. This happened to my firstborn with tomatoes and eggplant.
So how can you tell if your baby is experiencing an allergic or contact reaction? If the redness spreads to other parts of the body where the food didn't touch, doesn't start to fade away after wiping down the skin, and baby is in distress, then please do call your doctor.
Enjoy this pizza sauce with
- Pizza Quesadilla
- Vegetable baby French toast
- English Muffin Baby Pizza
- Baked chickpea veggie cakes
- Lentils
- Vegetable oatmeal
Did you make this recipe? Leave a rating below and let me know how you liked the recipe! Your feedback means so much to me!
Sugar Free PIzza Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ⅓ cup (70g) finely chopped or grated yellow onion
- 1 tablespoon oregano
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 ½ teaspoon minced garlic
- 15 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons hemp seeds
- 3 tablespoons (or more) finely chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, oregano, and tomato paste and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds to a minute.
- Add the tomatoes and hemp seeds, scraping the bottom of the pan to deglaze the tomato paste. Once sauce reaches a simmer, lower the heat to low and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in basil. Enjoy!
Notes
- Allow to come to room temperature then store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- To freeze - cool completely in the fridge and portion into freezer-safe containers. I love using the tray above. Will keep for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw in the fridge overnight.
Char says
could this be used as a pasta sauce as well?
Min says
No, it's way too thick to be enjoyed as pasta sauce but def try my iron-rich baby pasta recipe or sweet potato sauce!
Patty says
What can I use as an alternative to hemp seeds? Thanks.
Min says
You can leave it out completely! It's added for a boost of nutrition
Anna says
What good brand crushed tomatoes you recommend? Thanks
Min says
Hi I recommend any one that includes the San Marzanos variety!