Best Pizza Sauce Recipes | 5 Best Store Bought Pizza Sauces

Types of Pizza Sauce

Just like different types of pizza crust are a deciding or liking factor across many pizza lovers, pizza sauces also play the same role. Every individual cherishes the sauce of his/her liking depending upon the taste.

If you are a pizza maniac, you must know about different types of pizza sauces. But if you have been eating a pizza with the regular pizza sauce, then you are missing out on heaven my friend! You’ll be amazed at the unique flavors that you can add to your pizza with different types of pizza sauces.

Every place has its own food history that is reflected in its food. Pizza sauce seems merely a regular sauce that binds toppings to the pizza crust. But with a little tweaking, it can bring you back to the places from where the taste is derived.

Some pizza sauces are based on tomato puree while others are not. You can either make a white sauce or a completely red one. You can add a hint of smoke to make a BBQ sauce. This is just a little insight into the pizza sauce world. I have been trying and testing every possible flavor profile of pizza sauce for a while now.

You’ll find comprehensive and easy-to-make pizza sauce recipes in this article. Get them listed in your food diary to make flavor-rich artisan pizzas every time. You are free to incorporate any type of pizza sauce into your pizza according to your likeness and taste. They are all amazing!

Utensils for Making Pizza Sauce

Before starting off, you must have basic cooking utensils in your hand. You probably have these utensils in your kitchen. If not, then you can try out these saucepans to get your pizza sauce boiling.

For delivering a perfectly baked pizza you must have a premium quality oven. If you love outdoor cooking, do check out these outdoor pizza ovens. Else, if you are fond of cooking indoors, check out this comprehensive guide on electric pizza ovens to make a valuable purchase.

Anyhow, let me give you my personal recommendations on best sauce pans as per my experience.

Blackmoor 65740 7” 2 Quart Saucepan

BLACKMOOR is a trusted and reliable company for manufacturing kitchen essentials. This is a 7-inch saucepan with 2 quarts capacity. The saucepan has a non-stick finish. I have been using this saucepan for ages now and my food never got stuck or burnt.

You can use this saucepan on electric hobs, gas hobs, and induction plates. The glass lid allows you to see the sauce simmering. The handle at the side gives a firm grip and is also cool to touch. No burning hands and sticking food with this saucepan for sure.

Utopia Kitchen Nonstick Saucepan Set

If you are a professional chef or a cooking freak, then you must get this Utopia kitchen saucepan set. You’ll get two saucepans with 1-quarts and 2-quarts capacity respectively.

The 2-quart saucepan is safe to use on any cooking surface. But the 1-quart is not suitable for induction hobs. These saucepans are multipurpose so they won’t be sitting idle in your cabinet. You can use them to boil pasta, make sauces, and heat your leftover food.

The Bakelite handle provides a strong grip and a glass lid with a Bakelite knob covers your food while cooking.

You can use this saucepan on electric hobs, gas hobs, and induction plates. The glass lid allows you to see the sauce simmering. The handle at the side gives a firm grip and is also cool to touch. No burning hands and sticking food with this saucepan for sure.

HOTEC Silicone Rubber Spatula Set

This Silicone rubber spatula set is a quite handy and functional tool for your kitchen. You’ll get five different spatulas that can be utilized for different purposes.

Made from 100% food-grade silicone, these spatulas offer a non-stick surface that is heat resistant and also dishwasher safe. These spatulas can bear temperatures up to 600℉.

This set has been used in my kitchen for years now and I am satisfied with its quality and multipurpose use. There are no scratches or any damage till now. It is suitable for home as well as commercial use.

Regular Pizza Sauce Recipe with Tomato Puree

A tomato puree-based pizza sauce is typically used by most pizzerias and is one of the most widely used pizza sauces. It has a slightly thick consistency and is packed with flavors. The sauce contains a few basic pantry ingredients and some herbs and spices.

The sauce goes along with any type of pizza with various toppings of your choice. Give it a try with artisan pizza and you are going to love it. This sauce is quite easy and quick to make. I’ll be showing you making this pizza sauce from scratch in just 30 minutes. Let’s get started

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp Tomato puree
• 2 cans of crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 finely chopped onion
• 2 cloves pressed Garlic
• 2 tsp brown sugar
• Pinch of crushed red pepper
• ½ tsp crushed fennel seeds
• 1 tbsp Basil
• 2 tbsp Oregano
• Salt (According to taste)

Method

• Turn on the stove to medium flame and place your saucepan right above.
• Heat the olive oil in the saucepan and add chopped onion.
• Cook the onions on a medium flame for about 10-15 minutes.
• When onions seem soft and become transparent, it is time to add pressed garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute or so.
• Now add tomato puree and chopped canned tomatoes and bring it to a good boil. It takes 5-7 minutes to get a boiling red sauce. Place the lid on the saucepan to reduce the boiling time.
• Now it is time to add in brown sugar, salt, dried spices, and herbs.
• Lower the flame and cook this mixture for another 30 minutes until it is reduced to desired consistency.
• You can always simmer the sauce for extra 5-10 minutes to make it denser and more concentrated.
• Wait for the sauce to cool down, transfer it to some airtight container and store it in the refrigerator.

Here you go! Your sauce is ready.

You can use fresh tomatoes instead of canned ones. Blend the tomatoes into a blender or just crush them in a large bowl until you get a tomato paste. A thick paste is preferred to avoid extra cooking time.

White Pizza Sauce

White pizza sauce is an indulgent sauce option that makes your pizza order quite unusual among your friends. The sauce is basically garlic Alfredo which is typically used in pasta. But in the pizza world, it can bring a great depth of flavors.

The sauce was introduced to the American community in 1920 and has been loved since then. If you are a cheese lover, then this pizza sauce paired with toppings is a dream come true!

This white sauce is more on the heavier side than regular tomato sauce, so you have to be careful about the toppings. I like to pair the white sauce with mushrooms, bacon, or dried tomatoes as toppings. You can always play around with toppings to find the perfect combination for you. Let’s dig into making this creamy and cheesy sauce.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of milk
• 2 tbsp salted butter
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• ½ cup parmesan cheese
• 2 pressed garlic cloves
• Salt and black pepper
• 1/2 tbsp Oregano

Method

• Turn on the stove to medium heat.
• Add butter to a saucepan and shove it onto the stove.
• Add all-purpose flour to the melted butter and gently whisk it for 2 minutes. Don’t let the flour turn brown.
• Now slowly add milk while continuously whisking. Stir the milk to avoid any lumps.
• Once the mixture gets to a boil, add in garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
• Now add parmesan cheese and give it a quick whisk and cook until the sauce becomes thick.
• Remove the saucepan from the stove and gently stir the sauce until the cheese melts.
• Store the sauce in the refrigerator or use it straight away.

Bingo! your white sauce is just ready.

You can use any type of cheese you like. You can also also use combinations of your favorite cheese like mozzarella and parmesan instead of just parmesan. To make this sauce dairy free, you can use any other milk. I once tried the same recipe with cashew milk and the result was quite decent but not as good as dairy milk. But, it entirely depends upon your taste and liking.

New York Style Pizza Sauce

New York Style Pizza Sauce is a classic that can bring you to the crowded streets of New York. It is the first sauce that I ever made for my family. What is interesting about this sauce is that it takes 1-2 hours to simmer. This adds in the great depth of flavors and concentrated thick consistency.

The key to perfect New York-style pizza sauce is to maintain a balance between the sweetness of tomatoes and the deep flavor of dried herbs. Moreover, it should have a consistency that is thin enough to spread easily on the pizza base. But, it should be thick enough to prevent your pizza from turning mushy and moist before turning into the oven. It takes 1-2 rounds to figure out the right texture and flavors.

If you like to have an extra rich flavor of tomatoes in your pizza, then this sauce is best to satisfy your cravings. The sauce is based on sweet tomato puree with garlic and herbs to kick in the deep and rich flavor. New York-style pizzas are usually served in large slices and with heavy toppings like sausages, pepper, and mushrooms. This sauce pairs great with generous toppings to balance out the overall flavor of pizza.

Ingredients

• 1tbsp olive oil
• 1tbsp butter
• 2pressed garlic cloves
• 1 ½tsp dried oregano
• 7ounces tomato paste
• 15 ounces whole peeled tomatoes
• ¼cup finely chopped onion
• 1tsp sugar
• 2tbsp chopped fresh basil
• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper
• 1 ½tsp pink Himalayan salt (or kosher)

Method

• Turn on the stove to medium-low flame and place a saucepan above the flame.
• Add olive oil and butter to the saucepan and let the butter melt.
• Now add the pressed garlic, dried oregano, crushed red chilies, and salt, and stir continuously for 2-3 minutes.
• When you smell the aroma of herbs, remove the saucepan from the heat.
• Add tomatoes, tomato paste, onions, fresh basil, and sugar into the saucepan.
• Use a food processor or a hand blender to blend out all the ingredients until smooth. Make sure there are no lumps and chunks of tomatoes.
• Place the saucepan again on the stove. Cook the sauce on medium flame and bring it to a boil.
• Once the sauce is simmering well, reduce the flame to low heat and let the sauce cook for an hour or so.
• Once the sauce is reduced to desired consistency, remove it from the stove and let it cool down.
• Transfer the sauce to an airtight container and store it in the

Congrats! Your New York style pizza sauce is ready.

You can use the sauce right ahead or store it in the refrigerator for a maximum of 2 weeks. If you don’t want to use tomato paste, then substitute it with 30 ounces of whole tomatoes. Now you may need to reduce the sauce for additional 15-20 minutes to attain the right consistency.

Italian Pizza Sauce

Authentic Italian pizza sauce is the easiest and quick to make pizza sauce. I have been to Italy several times and Italian pizza topped with fresh Italian sauce is always on my to-do list. This sauce is fresh and requires no cooking at all. Just mix all ingredients in a large bowl and voila, your sauce is ready!

This raw pizza sauce is based on good quality tomatoes that are key to deriving authentic Italian flavor. You can use Cento San Marzano peeled tomatoes which have no saturated fats or artificial flavors. I have used various other tomatoes but the rich taste that these tomatoes bring is quite exceptional.

The sauce must have all the fresh ingredients to keep the authenticity and fresh flavor. There is no sugar in this sauce which is good news for you if you are health conscious or diabetic. You won’t be adding extra calories by consuming this.

Ingredients

• 14-ounce high-quality tomatoes
• 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• ½ tsp salt
• 3-4 leaves of fresh Italian basil
• ½ tbsp oregano
• Finely pressed fresh garlic

Method

• Roughly cut the tomatoes into smaller chunks.
• Take a large mixing bowl and pour tomatoes into it.
• Crush the tomatoes with your hands or hand crusher.
• Add in all the remaining ingredients and give it a nice mix.
• Use it straight away or store it in the refrigerator for later use.

Some people might want to replace tomatoes with tomato paste because they find it more convenient. You’ll mess up the whole point of sauce. I once tried to make this sauce with tomato paste and trust me, it ruins the flavor and consistency of the sauce. Using canned tomato puree instead of fresh whole tomatoes is a big NO!

Tomato paste is only recommended to use in sauces if your sauce is a bit runny. Authentic Italian pizza sauce is made only with fresh tomatoes to bring in fresh flavors to cancel out the acidity and heat of toppings. The fresh flavor and thick texture are the prime reasons for not incorporating tomato paste.

Pizza Sauce Without Tomatoes

Some people don’t like the taste of tomatoes but can’t help it to stay away from eating pizza. Some people may have health concerns but don’t worry! Your pizza can be equally delicious without topping it up with tomato sauce. There are various alternatives to tomato sauce that you can use instead of tomato-based pizza sauce. Below is the breakdown of the best pizza sauce without tomatoes.

Pesto

Pesto is a great option if you want something fresh and aromatic. This classic sauce is a blend of fresh basil, garlic, parmesan cheese, roasted nuts, and a hint of lemon to bring in acidic touch. This sauce is great to add extra nutritional value to your pizza treat.

You can play around with different types of nuts like walnut and even cashew to add a unique creamy flavor. There are many bottled pesto sauces available on market, but I prefer mine to be freshly made in my food processor. It is very easy and quick to make. Just chuck all the ingredients into a food processor or hand blender. With a spin, your pesto is ready to be devoured.

BBQ Sauce

When the name BBQ sauce comes, people are likely to think of roasted meat or BBQ night in the backyard. But, this sauce is not only limited to making your BBQ party exceptional. I have been using this sauce in my pizzas for quite a while now and honestly, I liked it.

This sauce goes well with toppings like chicken, grilled beef, and bacon. The sauce gives you a tangy and smoky flavor yet with a hint of sweetness to balance out the flavor. You can find different types of BBQ sauce at market. But if you want to move ahead a mile, you can also make your own BBQ sauce at home.

Ranch

The ranch is one of the most widely dipping sauces used in North America. There is no second opinion in using it in your pizza instead of tomato sauce. This sauce is on the creamy side and has a little tangy edge. Both these flavor combinations elevate the flavor of pizza for good.

This sauce can pair well with vegetable toppings like peppers, onions, and mushrooms. The ranch comes in different flavors which include chipotle, buffalo, bacon, and jalapeno. You can go for homemade ranch sauce, but it surely helps to buy a jarred one and store it in the refrigerator for long-term use.

Alfredo

You must know Alfredo pasta, covered in oozing cheese and white sauce. This white sauce is a great alternative to tomato sauce and brings a creamy and cheesy flavor to your pizza. Alfredo is a classic delicacy and is made from milk, cheese, butter, garlic, and black pepper.

This sauce pairs well with chicken topping. You can always play around with toppings to find the perfect combination for you.  It would be really nice to top it up with vibrant veggies like spinach, tomatoes, and red chili flakes. You can make this sauce yourself or get a ready-made. Both work well in achieving creamy and cheesy flavor.

Pizza Sauce VS Marinara

If you are ignorant about the difference between pizza sauce and marinara, it might be a problem for you. Being an Italian pizza lover, you might want to know which sauce goes well in which dish. What is the key difference between the two? Which sauce is more flavorful and aromatic? Well, your confusion is justified because both these sauces are used in the same cuisine and are apparently similar. You have placed your foot in the correct spot.

Many people believe that marinara sauce was introduced in the early 19^th century. It was the prime food source for Italian sailors. But now, it is consumed worldwide. I have been using both these sauces quite generously in my food. So here are the differences you should know.

Talking about the composition, both sauces are red in color and have a tomato base. Pizza sauce is made from tomato paste, garlic, olive oil, and herbs. This sauce just requires mixing all ingredients in a bowl. No need to cook it on the stove. On the contrary, marinara contains tomatoes, onions, garlic, dried herbs, and olive oil. All these ingredients are combined well and cooked on the stove for about an hour.

The second difference is consistency. Since pizza sauce does not pass through the cooking stage, so it is a bit on the thin side. On the other hand, marinara is cooked until it is reduced to a concentrated form which makes it thick and dense. Without being biased, marinara sauce is packed with more flavors than pizza sauce. What I have experienced is that it is because all the ingredients cook for long and leave their strong flavor, aroma, and taste.

Having a thick consistency, marinara sauce is used in pasta to cover every bit. It can also be used as a dipping sauce and base for salsa. However, pizza sauce having a thin consistency is easy to spread out on pizza bases. Another interesting but quite unusual way is using cocktails in pizza sauce instead of tomatoes.

Best Store Bought Pizza Sauce

Homemade pizza sauce is always a healthy and delicious option. But, sometimes you don’t get time to make pizza sauce from scratch. If you are somewhere away from home where you don’t have any refrigerator access, there are chances for your homemade pizza sauce to get mushy. In these circumstances, it is a better choice to opt for a jarred pizza sauce that can last you longer.

You probably wonder out of all the pizza sauces in the market that closest resembles your homemade pizza sauce and which sauce is flavor packed to rival your pizza game? I have tried and tested a ton of pizza sauces for my pizza parties and here I bring you the top ones for you so that you make the best choice when buying a jarred pizza sauce.

Yellowbird Habanero Sauce

This premium quality pizza sauce is a pure blend of fresh whole tomatoes and Italian cherry tomatoes. This unique combination derives authentic Italian flavor and the perfect amount of sweetness that runs all the way through.

The Rao’s pizza sauce is made by keeping true to classic Italian roots which makes it a great option for carb-conscious people. The sauce is keto-friendly as the sugar content in this is also very low because all the sweetness comes from the tomato itself.

The sauce has garlic seasoned with oregano, giving a strong burst of flavor and mesmerizing aroma. Also, the addition of olive oil gives a smooth texture along with the freshness of basil. The sauce is simmered slowly for hours to extract strong flavors from each ingredient. It reminds me of all the fancy pizza places that I have ever visited. Most of the ingredients are visible in the sauce which make this sauce feel like a homemade pizza sauce.

Rao’s Homemade Classic Pizza Sauce

This premium quality pizza sauce is a pure blend of fresh whole tomatoes and Italian cherry tomatoes. This unique combination derives authentic Italian flavor and the perfect amount of sweetness that runs all the way through.

The Rao’s pizza sauce is made by keeping true to classic Italian roots which makes it a great option for carb-conscious people. The sauce is keto-friendly as the sugar content in this is also very low because all the sweetness comes from the tomato itself.

The sauce has garlic seasoned with oregano, giving a strong burst of flavor and mesmerizing aroma. Also, the addition of olive oil gives a smooth texture along with the freshness of basil. The sauce is simmered slowly for hours to extract strong flavors from each ingredient. It reminds me of all the fancy pizza places that I have ever visited. Most of the ingredients are visible in the sauce which make this sauce feel like a homemade pizza sauce.

Don Pepino Pizza Sauce

Don Pepino pizza sauce is a dairy-free, vegan option for all vegetarians out there. The sauce is purely based on vine-ripened Jersey tomatoes with garlic powder, corn oil, salt, and spices to make it jam-packed with flavors. The packaging of the sauce is so cool in a retro-looking can which is convenient to carry and store in the refrigerator door.

This recipe was introduced in 1950 and the brand is producing the same quality and flavor ever since. The sauce is free from any artificial flavors, added sugar, starch, etc. which makes it exactly like a homemade sauce in terms of rich flavors and texture.

The secret to their success among competitors is premium quality Jersey tomatoes. Most people including myself are kind of addicted to this sauce. That’s why it got pretty good reviews on Amazon’s official website.

Keto Classic Pizza Sauce by Yo Mama’s Foods

 

If you are on a strict diet but can’t help it to control your pizza cravings, don’t worry! There is a pizza sauce for everyone. This Keto Classic Pizza Sauce by Yo Mama’s food is a handmade sauce with all fresh ingredients cooked for hours to bring out the classic flavor.

The sauce contains fresh tomatoes, garlic, finely chopped onions, olive oil, and a handful of fresh basil leaves. I have made pizza with this sauce for some of my friends and no one realizes that it is a keto sauce because the flavor and taste are still the same.

It is a keto-friendly sauce with no sugar, preservatives, dairy, or gluten. It won’t add up extra calories which is the main concern of all. The company makes their product in small batches to deliver fresh products. You can also find various other keto-friendly options like ketchup and salad dressing.

Muir Glen Organic Pizza Sauce

If you are a fan of organic products then this sauce is your next companion for a late-night pizza party. The company is aiming to find ways to grow tomatoes organically in their best form. These tomatoes are harvested in the soil of California Sacramento Valley.

The tomato itself is rich in sweet and tangy flavored Muir Glen organic pizza sauce is a blend of pure organic, vine-ripened tomatoes combined with Italian seasoning.

The ingredients include virgin olive oil, sea salt, chopped onion, dried oregano, basil leaves, black pepper, and pressed garlic. The sauce is burst with flavors and an enthralling aroma. The sauce has a slightly thick consistency which spreads effortlessly on the pizza base.

I incorporated this sauce into the pasta and it worked like magic covering every bit of pasta stripes. This pizza sauce is USDA certified which means it is free from sugar, gluten, artificial flavors, food colors, and preservatives.

Chef Boyardee Pizza Sauce with Cheese

This is another great option if you are a cheese lover like me. I really enjoyed this pizza sauce for its zesty cheese flavor. The premium quality whole tomatoes further complemented with cheddar cheese just elevate the taste of the sauce.

Chef Boyardee pizza sauce with cheese is not only packed with unique flavor but also good for health. The sauce is made from 100% organic vine-ripened tomatoes, cheddar cheese, cream, salt, and soybean oil. The sauce is free from any artificial flavoring and preservatives.

With the name cheese, you probably think of how many calories I’ll put on by consuming this sauce. Well, don’t worry it is only 35 calories per serving. The sauce is versatile and can be used in pasta and as a dipping sauce. Your kids are going to love this sauce because it is quite moderate in spices.