Large-Batch Pizza Sauce

Name: Large-Batch Pizza Sauce
Total time: 105 min
Yield: One large production batch; exact yield requires the tin and bag sizes
Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Ingredients: Neutral cooking oil, as needed; 4 tins chopped tomatoes (tin size not supplied); 2 bags prepared pizza sauce (bag weight not supplied); 5 large onions, roughly chopped; 8 carrots, roughly chopped; 3 heads celery, roughly chopped; 100 g garlic, chopped; 100 g fresh thyme, tied or picked; 250 g granulated sugar; Fine salt, to taste; Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

A smooth production tomato sauce enriched with caramelised onion, carrot, celery, garlic and thyme.

Time1 hr 45 minLevelEasyMakesOne large production batch; exact yield requires the tin and bag sizesCuisineItalian-Inspired

01 — THE STORY

Behind the plate

This is a kitchen-volume pizza sauce built from both chopped tomatoes and a prepared pizza-sauce product. Fresh vegetables bring sweetness and body, while thyme and garlic give the large batch a savoury backbone.

The vegetables are cooked before the tomato enters the pot, then everything simmers for an hour and is blended smooth. Recording the exact tin and bag sizes is essential before the formula can be scaled reliably.

03 — THE METHOD

Cook step by step

01
Heat enough oil to coat the base of a large heavy pot. Add the onions, garlic and thyme and sweat until soft.
02
Add the sugar and continue cooking until the onions begin to caramelise without burning.
03
Add the celery and carrots and cook for approximately 15 minutes, stirring regularly.
04
Add the chopped tomatoes and prepared pizza sauce. Bring to the boil, then lower to a gentle simmer.
05
Cook for approximately 1 hour, scraping the base often until every vegetable is tender and the flavour is concentrated.
06
Remove any tied herb stems and blend with a heavy-duty stick blender until smooth. Adjust seasoning and consistency.
07
Use hot, hold safely for service, or cool rapidly in shallow containers before refrigerating.

04 — FROM THE PASS

Chef's notes

Record the drained or net weight of all four tomato tins and both pizza-sauce bags; package counts alone do not define a repeatable recipe.
Prepared pizza sauce may already contain sugar, salt and herbs, so taste before adjusting the final batch.
Tie whole thyme sprigs so the woody stalks can be removed before blending.
Blend hot sauce only with equipment rated for the batch size and follow its safe-fill instructions.

AT THE TABLE

How to serve it

Spread a thin even layer over pizza dough, or use as a base for baked pasta, meatballs and toasted sandwiches.