Elevate your homemade calzones with this Easy Calzone Dipping Sauce! Packed with savory herbs and rich tomato goodness, it’s the perfect companion for every cheesy bite.
Elevate your homemade calzones with this Easy Calzone Dipping Sauce! Packed with rich tomato flavor, savory herbs, and a touch of garlic, it’s ready in just minutes and pairs perfectly with cheesy, golden calzones.
Whether for a weeknight dinner or a fun weekend snack, this sauce will have everyone reaching for seconds.
Why You Will Love This Recipe!
- Quick and Easy: Ready in just minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Flavor-Packed: Bursting with rich tomato, garlic, and herb flavors.
- Versatile: Pairs perfectly with calzones, pizza, breadsticks, or even sandwiches.
- Kid-Friendly: Mild and tasty, making it a hit with the whole family.
- Homemade Goodness: Fresh ingredients create a tastier, healthier alternative to store-bought sauces.
Ingredients Needed
- Canned crushed tomatoes – Rich, tangy base for sauce
- Olive oil – Smooth, fruity oil for cooking sauce
- Garlic – Aromatic, savory punch to flavor
- Dried oregano – Classic herb for Italian-inspired taste
- Dried basil – Sweet, fragrant herb for depth
- Salt – Essential seasoning to enhance overall flavor
- Black pepper – Freshly ground, adds mild heat and aroma
- Red pepper flakes (optional) – Subtle spice for a kick
- Sugar (optional) – Balances acidity of tomato base
How To Make Easy Calzone Dipping Sauce
Step 1: Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30–60 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Step 2: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, then stir in dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
Step 3: Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it cook uncovered for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and flavorful.
Step 4: Taste the sauce and add a pinch of sugar if it tastes too acidic. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly before serving. Perfect for dipping freshly baked calzones, breadsticks, or pizza.
Easy Calzone Dipping Sauce Tips
- Use quality tomatoes: Choose high-quality canned crushed tomatoes or San Marzano tomatoes for the richest flavor. Cheap tomatoes often taste acidic or watery.
- Don’t skip the simmer: Letting the sauce simmer for at least 10–15 minutes helps the flavors meld and deepens the taste — patience pays off here.
- Adjust seasoning to taste: Love it spicy? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Prefer it sweeter? Mix in a teaspoon of sugar to balance the acidity.
- Blend for smoothness: For a restaurant-style dipping sauce, blend the cooked sauce with an immersion blender or in a regular blender until silky.
- Double the batch: This sauce freezes beautifully! Make extra, let it cool, and store it for future pizza nights, pasta dishes, or even as a marinara base.
Storing Instructions
Let the sauce cool completely before storing. Transfer it to an airtight container or glass jar and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
If you want to keep it longer, pour it into freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
When ready to use, warm it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through — it’ll taste just as fresh as the day you made it!
Easy Calzone Dipping Sauce Recipe Faqs
Can I use crushed tomatoes instead of tomato sauce? Yes! Crushed tomatoes give the sauce a chunkier texture, while tomato sauce creates a smoother dip. Use what you prefer or have on hand.
How can I make this sauce spicier? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes, cayenne, or a splash of hot sauce to give it a little kick.
Can I make this dipping sauce ahead of time? Absolutely! This sauce tastes even better the next day once the flavors blend together. Store it in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Can I freeze the sauce? Yes, it freezes well. Cool it completely, then transfer it to an airtight container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
What else can I serve this sauce with? It’s delicious with calzones, breadsticks, mozzarella sticks, pizza rolls, or even as a base for pasta or lasagna!
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Easy Calzone Dipping Sauce
Description
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 15 ounces crushed tomatoes,
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant. (alt tag: Garlic sizzling in olive oil in a small saucepan.)
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, onion powder, sugar, and crushed red pepper flakes. Season with salt and black pepper. (alt tag: Tomato sauce simmering in a saucepan with herbs and spices.)
- Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. (alt tag: Thick tomato sauce bubbling gently on the stove.)
- Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve warm with calzones, breadsticks, or mozzarella sticks. (alt tag: Small bowl of marinara dipping sauce beside golden calzones.)
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Whisk
Nutrition
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