5 Easy 3-Ingredient Pizza Sauces

You can make some pretty awesome pizza sauces from things you likely already have in your pantry. It doesn’t even have to be tomato-based (but I will argue a pizza party without a red-sauce pizza really isn’t a party at all). I love riffing though, whether that means making a creamy Alfredo-inspired sauce or an herby pesto.

Lean on any of these five (three-ingredient) sauces the next time it’s homemade pizza night and you’ll forget all about that jarred stuff.

It’s a classic for good reason — you can really never go wrong with tomato sauce. While it’s easy to grab a jar at the grocery store, it’s just as simple to make it yourself. Stir together 1 1/2 cups tomato purée, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1 teaspoon of red wine vinegar, season to taste with salt and pepper, and you’re good to go.

Get the recipe: Super Quick 3-Ingredient Pizza Sauce

Here’s another one you could probably pick up at the grocery store on the way home, but you probably already have some almost-wilted herbs in your crisper drawer that need some loving. Grab about 3 cups loosely packed soft herbs or leafy greens (be it basil, parsley, arugula, or spinach), and blend them with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 crushed garlic cloves, and a bit of salt and pepper to taste. Fresh tomato slices and mozzarella always win with this one.

If you’re craving something creamy and rich, give this one a try. Simmer 1 cup heavy cream and 2 minced garlic cloves in a small saucepan on the stove until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes. Remove it from the heat and finish it with 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, along with salt and pepper to taste. Make a white pizza by adding dollops of ricotta and finishing with a sprinkle of chopped parsley or basil once baked.

Related: Leftover Ricotta? 5 Ideas for Using Up the Rest of the Container

Drain 1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts and blend it with 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice and 2 minced garlic cloves, then season to taste with salt and pepper. Use this sauce with simply plenty of grated Parmesan and halved cherry tomatoes, or go with mozzarella and a few handfuls of baby spinach for a pizza that’s reminiscent of spinach-artichoke dip.

Warm 1/2 cup olive oil and 6 minced garlic cloves in a small saucepan on the stove over low heat until fragrant. Remove it from the heat and stir in 1/4 cup loosely packed chopped fresh oregano and a bit of salt and pepper to taste. Roasted vegetables and crumbled goat cheese are especially nice toppings with this one.

Related: What’s the Difference Between Oregano and Marjoram?