What Is Pizza sauce and How Can I Use It?
If pizza sauce has turned up in a recipe or caught your eye at the store, here's what you need to use it with confidence and how to choose it, cook it, store it, what to substitute, and 106 recipes to try it in.
Key Points
- Cooked, seasoned tomato sauce made thick on purpose so the crust stays crisp.
- Spread only a few tablespoons thin; too much sauce makes a soggy center.
- Thicker and more seasoned than marinara, which is too loose for pizza.
- Quick homemade: tomato paste plus water, garlic, oregano, salt, and sugar.
- Opened jar lasts about a week refrigerated; freeze leftovers as cubes.
What is pizza sauce?
Pizza sauce is a cooked, seasoned tomato sauce built specifically to sit under cheese and bake. It is thicker and more concentrated than a pasta sauce, so it does not soak the crust into a soggy mess.
It is also seasoned upfront with oregano and garlic, because it will not simmer for an hour on the pizza.
Most versions start from tomato paste or crushed tomatoes rather than fresh, which keeps the water content low and the flavor strong. A little sugar often balances the acidity of the tomatoes.
How to Use It
Spread it thin. A pizza needs only a few tablespoons in a light layer, stopping short of the edge so the crust can puff and brown. Too much sauce is the single biggest cause of a wet, floppy center.
It is not just for round pizzas. It binds Upside-Down Pizza Casserole and gives Pizza Grilled Cheese its unmistakable flavor between the bread. Bob's Crock Pot Pizza layers it with noodles and cheese into a baked-pasta hybrid.
Quick Tortilla Pizzas use a fast smear over a tortilla for a five-minute snack.
You can also use it raw, straight from the jar, since it is already cooked and seasoned. That is the whole point of the style.
Cooking and Pairing
The classic flavor partners are mozzarella, oregano, and a hit of olive oil. From there it carries pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, and onions without complaint. A few torn basil leaves after baking lift the whole thing.
The mistake people make is treating it like marinara. Marinara is looser and brighter, meant to coat pasta with plenty of liquid. Ladle that onto a pizza and you steam the dough from above.
Pizza sauce is deliberately drier and more intense, so a thin layer still delivers full flavor.
If your homemade sauce tastes sharp, that is raw tomato acid. A pinch of sugar or a short simmer rounds it out, but do not cook it so long that it turns to ketchup.
Substitutes
In a pinch, marinara or any plain tomato sauce works if you reduce it on the stove for ten minutes to thicken and concentrate it, then add a little oregano and garlic powder. The goal is to drive off water so it bakes instead of weeping.
The fastest homemade version is a 6-ounce can of tomato paste loosened with about ½ cup water, then seasoned with garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and a pinch of sugar. No cooking needed, since paste is already cooked down. The Best Ever Pizza Sauce on the site follows this paste-based approach.
Crushed tomatoes or passata also work, simmered briefly to thicken.
Buying and Storage
Look for jars labeled "pizza sauce" rather than "pasta sauce," and check that tomatoes, not water, lead the ingredient list. Thicker is better here; you want it to mound on a spoon, not run off.
An unopened jar keeps in the pantry past a year. Once opened, cover and refrigerate it, then use it within about five to seven days.
If you only need a few tablespoons at a time, freeze the rest in an ice cube tray, then pop the cubes into a bag for single-pizza portions that thaw in minutes. Homemade sauce from paste keeps about a week refrigerated and freezes for three months.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 serving (63g)Quick facts
Food group: Pizza sauce is a member of the Soups, Sauces, and Gravies US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.
- In Chinese
- 比萨酱
- British (UK) term
- Pizza sauce
- en français
- sauce à pizza
- en español
- salsa de la pizza
How much does pizza sauce weigh?
| Amount | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1 package | 3005 grams |
| 1 serving | 63 grams |
| 0.25 cup | 63 grams |
Related
Soups, Sauces, and Gravies
Recipes using pizza sauce
There are 106 recipes that contain this ingredient.
Artichoke Hearts & Fried Egg Crostini
Spread some pizza sauce over a few slices of toast, arrange a few marinated artichoke hearts and half fried egg over each toast. Drizzle a bit hot sauce on top. A quick, easy and tasty crostini is ready within 10 minutes.
Pizza Time - Onion, Pepper & Spinach (with optional Mushrooms)
I made two pizzas today, but since my target audience does not much like mushrooms I only took a photo of this one.
Mexican Pizza Grilled Cheese
Who doesn't like grilled cheese? Probably nobody, as far as I know everybody I know absolutely loves it. Quick, easy and delicious. Made this Mexican pizza grilled cheese for lunch, and needless to say, I was totally happy and satisfied. Here the recipe is.
Homemade Breakfast Pizza
Homemade pizzas can be healthy. You can adapt this pizza recipe to your own taste.
Halloween Pizzas
Make some cheesy and oozy Halloween pizzas for your Halloween dinner and they are delicious. Nobody will resist these hot pizzas.
Breakfast Mexican Pizza
Had some fresh bell peppers, mushrooms, pizza sauce, scallions, and whole wheat tortilla, made up this Mexican Pizza for breakfast. Instead of mozzarella or Mexican cheese, I used Swiss cheese. The pizza came out super tasty and quite filling, and I also topped a pan-fried egg. Yum!
Pizza Pepperoni Pinwheels
Pepperoni pizza pinwheels made from refrigerated crescent dough rolled with Parmesan, pepperoni, and Italian cheese, then sliced and baked golden. An easy party snack with warm pizza sauce for dipping.
Sausage Braid
Sausage braid: pizza dough filled with browned Italian sausage, peppers, onions, and mozzarella, then woven into a golden braid and baked. An impressive, shareable stromboli-style bake.
Pizza Egg Melts
We didn't have English muffins, so used rosemary-olive oil bread that we bought from Costco instead, and it worked perfectly.
Quick Tortilla Pizzas
These quick and easy tortilla pizzas take no time to make and absolutely delicious. Simply spread some pizza sauce, top with some your favorite toppings, and sprinkle some cheese. No need to order from outside, get a few tortillas and make these yummy warm pizzas from scratch.
Pineapple, Olives & Artichoke Heart Pizza
Freshly baked pizza makes the entire house full of great smell, that's why we like making pizza at home. This pizza is topped with fresh pineapple cubes, olives, marinated artichoke hearts, and a few fresh veggies. Homemade pizza sauce makes it taste even better.
Roasted Bell Pepper, Artichoke Hearts, & Olive Pizza
Instead of taking-out pizza, make this easy yet delicious pizza at home. Roasted bell pepper, marinated artichoke hearts, salty olives, fresh mushrooms and some red onion rings are topped over pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese, then sprinkle more cheese over. Nobody can resist this freshly baked pizza!
Delicious Broccoli Flatbread
Spread with a thin layer of tomato sauce or pizza sauce, topped with broccoli florets, olives, mushrooms and a few other veggies. Feel free to add cheddar cheese on top of the sauce before you add the toppings. The cheese-free version tastes delicious as well, without cheese we call it a flatbread.
Upside-Down Pizza Casserole
Excellent and very easy to prepare. The "crust" puffed up wonderfully into a cheesy fluffy topping and the meaty filling (upside down toppings) matched.
Pizza Grilled Cheese
Love pizza? Love grilled cheese? Why not combine them for an all in one love affair?
Bell Pepper, Mushroom & Onion Pizza
Made this pizza with homemade pizza crust and homemade pizza sauce, only put three toppings, an it turned out cheesy and delicious with an excellent texture.
Bob's Crock Pot Pizza
Learn how to make a slow cooker pizza using rigatoni, ground beef, pepperoni, and mushrooms. A delicious and tantalizing crockpot dish that doesn't disappoint when it comes to flavor!
Rock Springs Sweet Onion Pizza
Vidalia onion pizza on a cornmeal polenta crust, topped with kidney beans, peppers, mozzarella, and parmesan. Gluten-free, vegetarian, no yeast required.
Pizza By the Foot
Pizza by the Foot: a whole loaf of bread split lengthwise and loaded with pizza sauce, Italian sausage, onion, mozzarella, and provolone. Baked until the cheese bubbles and browns.
Double Sausage Hearty Breakfast Pizza
Loaded breakfast pizza with Italian sausage in the sauce and smoked sausage links on top, blanketed in melted mozzarella and Monterey Jack. Two meaty, cheesy pies that'll fuel your whole morning.
Rick's Favorite Pizza
Rick's Favorite Pizza piles on five cheeses - mozzarella, muenster, provolone, cheddar, and parmesan - loaded with pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, and green peppers.
Pizza in a Sleeping Bag
Crescent roll pizza pockets stuffed with seasoned ground beef, mozzarella, and pizza sauce. Handheld weeknight dinner ready in 25 minutes.
Mystic Pizza Abm
Homemade pizza with bread machine dough, pizza sauce, and mozzarella. A simple yeast dough made in the bread machine, then rolled and baked at high heat for a crispy crust.
Mozzarella Meat Loaf
Mozzarella meatloaf topped with pizza sauce and melted mozzarella slices, with optional sauteed green pepper and mushrooms. Italian-American twist on classic meatloaf that hits the flavors of pizza night.
Supreme Style Pizza
Supreme style pizza stacks a ready-made Boboli crust with pizza sauce, provolone, mozzarella, pepperoni, salami, bacon, and black olives. A quick weeknight pizza that delivers full pizza-shop flavor in 15 minutes.
Stuffed Crust Pepperoni Pizza
Homemade stuffed crust pepperoni pizza: refrigerated dough rolled with string cheese tucked into the edge, topped with sauce, pepperoni, and mozzarella. Pizza Hut copycat, ready in under an hour.
Beefy Mexican Pizza
Beefy Mexican pizza stacks crisp baked tortillas with refried beans and seasoned ground beef, then tops it with pizza sauce, melty Mexican cheese, tomatoes and cilantro. A homemade copycat ready in 20 minutes.
Pizza Carcoifi
Pizza Carciofi with marinated artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, and fontina cheese over a homemade tomato sauce on crispy pizza dough.
California Vegetable Pizza
California vegetable pizza on whole wheat crust topped with broccoli, artichoke hearts, olives, tomatoes, and green peppers. A cheeseless vegetarian pizza that's all about the veggies.
Broccoli Pizza Supreme
Veggie-loaded broccoli pizza with spinach, mushrooms, leeks, mozzarella, and Parmesan on a prebaked Italian bread shell. A green, cheesy pizza ready in 30 minutes.
Grilled Pizza Sandwiches
Grilled pizza sandwiches with salami, cheese, pizza sauce, and garlic powder on buttered bread. A crispy, melty pizza-meets-grilled-cheese hybrid ready in 20 minutes.
Meat Loaf Italian Style
Try this authentic and scrumptious Italian-style meat loaf that's easy to prepare and eat!
Basic Make Yourself Pizza
Bread machine pizza dough: dump the ingredients into your machine, set to dough mode, then shape into four personal pizzas and bake at high heat for crispy homemade pies.
Pizza Spinach Casserole
Pizza spinach casserole layered with ground beef in pizza sauce, ravioli, cottage cheese, black olives, and Parmesan. Freezer-friendly and makes two casseroles at once.
Meat Loaf Pizza Style
Pizza-style chicken meatloaf baked in a clay pot with oregano, pizza seasoning, and Parmesan, topped with pizza sauce, mozzarella, and mushrooms.
Individual Tuna Pizza
Individual tuna pizza on a crispy flour tortilla with pizza sauce, mushrooms, tomato, green pepper, and mozzarella. A quick, high-protein personal pizza ready in 20 minutes.
Venison Pizza
Venison pizza on homemade buttermilk honey dough with crumbled ground venison, cheese, onions, and herbs. A hunter's take on pizza night from scratch.
Stuffed Cheese Pizza
Stuffed cheese pizza: Chicago-style deep dish with whole wheat crust hiding mozzarella and broccoli between two layers, topped with pizza sauce at the end. Inside-out flavor.
Peppy Pizza Pies
Mini pizza pies made from biscuit dough topped with pizza sauce, pepperoni, ground beef, mozzarella, and Parmesan. A kid-friendly personal pizza ready in 40 minutes.
Lisa Pizza
Lisa pizza: a rustic European-style pizza topped with crumbled blood sausage, mozzarella, and tomato sauce on a crisp crust. An unexpected, deeply savory pizza inspired by Northern European butcher's traditions.
Pizza Sandwiches
Pizza sandwiches turn toasted English muffins into quick mini pizzas, topped with a homemade herb tomato sauce, cottage cheese, and parmesan, then broiled bubbly. A fast, lighter take on pizza night for snacks or lunch.
Zucchini Pizzas
Low-carb zucchini pizza bites broiled with pizza sauce, black olives, green onions, and melted mozzarella. Ready in 20 minutes with no dough needed.
Pizza Spaghetti Pie
Pizza spaghetti pie with a baked ground beef shell filled with spaghetti, egg, and Parmesan, topped with pizza sauce, green pepper rings, and melted mozzarella. A retro mashup the whole family loves.
Gourmet Pizza
Gourmet asparagus pizza on a honey wheat crust with alternating roasted roma tomato and fresh mozzarella, topped with asparagus tips, basil, and oregano.
Pizza Snack
Simple, but scrumptious snacks that are perfect when on the go. Try different toppings to add some variety.
Lisas' Hot Italian Meatball Sandwiches
Italian meatball subs stuffed with mozzarella centers, simmered in pizza sauce, piled into hollowed French rolls, and broiled melty. A gameday or weeknight crowd favorite.
Grits Italiano
Italian-style grits casserole layered with hot sausage, ground beef, pizza sauce, green peppers, onion, and melted cheddar. A Southern-Italian comfort food mashup.
French Fry Pizza Pie
French fry pizza pie: frozen french fries baked into a crispy potato crust, topped with pizza sauce, green pepper, scallions, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Kid-friendly weeknight comfort food.
Sam's Pizza Abm
Sam's pizza ABM uses your bread machine to mix and rise a whole-wheat-and-cornmeal pizza dough. Roll, top with sauce and mozzarella, and bake into a crispy 14-inch pie at 475F.
More pizza sauce recipes
- Bacon Cheeseburger Upside-Down Pizza
- Basic Make Yourself Pizza
- Beefy Mexican Pizza
- Best Ever Pizza Sauce
- Broccoli Pizza Supreme
- Cheesy Beefy Chili Mac
- Chicken Cheddar Tortilla Pizzas
- Chicken Parmigiana 2 - Crockpot
- Crockpot Chicken Parmigiana
- Lasagna Rolls
- Meat Loaf Italian Style
- Pizza Snack
- Pizza Sticks
- Pizza Topped Meatloaf
- Stuffed Cheese Pizza
- Wisconsin Holiday Fondue
- Zucchini Pizzas
