For those looking to take their homemade pizza night up a notch, the search for the best store-bought pizza sauce can be daunting. To help you find great-tasting yet budget-friendly pizza sauces, we have rounded up this year’s top 10 best store-bought flavorful pizza sauce options.
Whether it’s a traditional Italian pizza sauce, a classic tomato sauce, or something a little more adventurous that strikes your fancy, get ready to experience an elevated pizza feast!
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Short Summary
- Discover the top 10 store-bought pizza sauces available today, featuring traditional and unique flavors.
- Learn how to enhance these sauces with sautéed vegetables, herbs & spices to create a personalized flavor.
- Explore different toppings and alternative sauce options such as alfredo, bbq sauce, or cheesy and decadent sauces for an indulgent twist on your next DIY Pizza Night!
Top 10 Store-Bought Pizza Sauces This Year
It can be quite difficult to find the best store-bought pizza sauce for your homemade pizzas with so many choices out there. So, we did our research and have come up with a list of ten top brands available today!
All these sauces provide superior quality that shines through in their premium Italian ingredients. Let’s take a look at what makes them stand out against all the rest.
Don Pepino Pizza Sauce
If you are looking for a pizza sauce that can satisfy both adults and children, then Don Pepino Pizza Sauce is the perfect choice.
This delightful marinade consists of ripe tomatoes from New Jersey expertly blended with cholesterol-free corn oil combined with various herbs and spices to produce an unforgettable flavor experience! Not only this, but no added sugar or other artificial ingredients have been used in its creation. So it’s also healthy too!
This fully prepared pizza sauce is available in 15.5 oz cans in various pack sizes. We recommend going with the 12 pack, that way there will be enough for everybody, even on those days when your family just wants more pizza fun!
Muir Glen Organic Pizza Sauce
For health-conscious consumers, Muir Glen Organic Pizza Sauce is our top suggestion. This pizza sauce contains certified organic tomatoes plus extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, onion, basil, garlic, oregano, and black pepper, all of which are great organic ingredients that make for a tasty dish.
The company has also been presented with a prize in recognition of their sustainability efforts such as composting practices designed to help pollinators like bees thrive. Its thick texture combined with natural herbs bringing out delicious flavor notes, making this a pizza sauce you won’t want to pass up!
Rao’s Homemade Pizza Sauce
Rao’s Homemade Pizza Sauce offers a premium, carb-conscious option for pizza lovers. Crafted with only the finest ingredients, each batch of this sauce is slow-cooked to perfection. It features a blend of sweet Italian cherry tomatoes, olive oil, and onions, with fresh basil, garlic, oregano, black pepper, and salt. The result is a robust, full-flavored cooked pizza sauce that evokes nostalgic memories of family dinners around the Italian table.
Staying true to its classic Italian roots, Rao’s Pizza Sauce is a wonderful option for those following a Keto diet. It contains no added sugar and its high-quality ingredients exclude common additives such as tomato blends, tomato paste, water, starches, and added colors. Therefore, it’s an excellent choice for anyone seeking a keto-friendly tomato sauce for their pantry.
Classico Traditional Pizza Sauce
Classico Signature Recipes Traditional Pizza Sauce delivers an authentic Italian flavor using diced tomatoes and olive oil for a classic taste. The sauce strikes a balance with its consistency, being thin enough to spread effortlessly on pizza crust, yet thick enough to prevent the crust from becoming soggy.
It’s an all-natural, gluten-free red sauce that has been a classic in many households for years. Classico uses only the finest ingredients in their sauces, allowing you to feel good about reaching for that extra scoop. Sealed in a traditional mason jar, the sustainable packaging not only locks in authentic Italian flavor, but also offers a reusable container for storage, crafting, and more after you’ve enjoyed the sauce.
PS. You can also use this Italian-style tomato sauce as a delectable dipping sauce for mozzarella sticks!
Pomi Pizza Sauce
If you’re looking for a store-bought sauce with a fresh off-the-vine taste, Pomi Pizza Sauce is worth trying. This authentic Italian tomato-based recipe has an unbeatable sweet and flavorful kick that will enhance any homemade pie.
Ordering online makes it easy to get your hands on this great product at anytime. So why not add some classic Italy flavor to your meal? Pomi Pizza Sauce will makes all the difference in your next masterpiece!
Pastorelli Italian Chef Pizza Sauce
Make your pizza night unique and delicious with Pastorelli Italian Chef Pizza Sauce. This sauce contains San Marzano tomatoes, imported Pecorino cheese, and enough sauce for multiple pizzas! We love that this is a family recipe handed down for generations in the Pastorelli family. You can almost taste the years of homemade pizzas and good times with every bite.
In the reviews for the Pastorelli pizza sauce we noticed many customers mention it improves even their favorite frozen pizzas! Add a little bit on top with some extra mozzarella cheese and you’ll transform your boring pizza experience into something truly Italian.
Contadina Pizza Squeeze Sauce
This tomato sauce from Contadina comes in a handy plastic bottle that can provide peace of mind for parents with kids. It is made using vine-ripened Roma tomatoes, basil, and garlic powder, and it’s great for making homemade pizzas or calzones quickly and easily.
The Pizza Squeeze Sauce provides an excellent choice if you are looking to craft the perfect pizza – plus additional snacks such as calzones, right at home without breaking your budget. This convenient option will soon become part of any household kitchen routine!
Chef Boyardee Pizza Sauce with Cheese
For your next pizza night, why not make it extra special with Chef Boyardee Pizza Sauce with Cheese? This flavorful sauce combines cheddar cheese and vine-ripe peeled tomatoes for a classic taste that’s sure to remind you of childhood memories. Not only is the flavor fantastic, but this canned pizza sauce also offers great value compared to other brands.
Enjoy making homemade pizzas knowing you have used quality ingredients, plus take pleasure in the nostalgia that comes from using this delicious tomato and cheese based sauce! Give it a try – we know it won’t disappoint!
Yo Mama’s Pizza Sauce
Yo Mama has one of the best-tasting premium classic pizza sauces available. Crafted with the finest ingredients and without any added sugar or preservatives, this sauce sets the gold standard for flavorful yet health-conscious pizza sauces.
It’s fresh, preservative-free, and made with whole, fresh Non-GMO tomatoes, and fresh garlic, with no added sugar! It’s also vegan, gluten-free, and low in sodium and carbs, making it suitable for those following the Paleo, Whole 30, and Keto diets.
This sauce is great because of its versatility. It makes a delightful addition to your favorite sandwiches, subs, burgers, or hot dogs. It can really enhance any meal or dish, adding a robust flavor profile that turns an ordinary meal into a gourmet delight.
Enhancing Your Store-Bought Pizza Sauce
When using a store-bought pizza sauce, you can elevate the flavor by adding some simple ingredients and spices.
Adding sautéed onions, garlic cloves, and bell peppers is a great way to customize it for your palate preferences. We also love adding fresh herbs like oregano or basil.
To even more flavor to your store bought sauces, we also recommend sprinkling on dry seasonings like red pepper flakes, onion powder or garlic powder (but not garlic salt).
Or, if you like a sweet flavor, why not try adding in a little bit of honey, sugar or balsamic vinegar? Don’t knock it until you try it!
Experimenting with additional flavors will create an enjoyable new experience. It’s like making homemade pizza sauces with half the work!
Comparing Pizza Sauce to Pasta Sauce
Pizza Sauce and Pasta Sauce may both come from the same primary ingredient – tomatoes, but they do have some notable differences in terms of flavor and consistency.
Flavor
Good pizza sauce usually has a more robust and concentrated tomato flavor, which is why it is often left uncooked before spreading on pizza dough. By not cooking the sauce, it retains its bright, tangy flavor, which balances the richness of the cheese and the toppings. The ingredients are simple and typically include tomatoes, olive oil, salt, garlic, and herbs like oregano and basil.
On the other hand, spaghetti sauce is often simmered for a longer time, leading to a deeper, more complex flavor. It is typically more seasoned than pizza sauce, with a variety of vegetables (like fresh onion, bell peppers, or mushrooms), meats, and sometimes even wine or stock. Herbs like basil, oregano, thyme, or even bay leaves are used in more abundance compared to pizza sauce.
Consistency
Consistency is another key difference. The best pizza sauce is usually thick and less chunky. The thickness of the sauce ensures it doesn’t make the pizza dough soggy. Furthermore, as the sauce isn’t usually cooked before being put on a pizza, having a thick sauce ensures the liquid from the tomatoes doesn’t saturate the dough while the pizza is being baked.
On the contrary, spaghetti sauce often has a thinner, more pourable consistency to coat the pasta evenly. It’s not unusual to find chunks of vegetables or meat in it, providing a textural contrast to the pasta. This thinner, chunkier consistency allows the sauce to cling to the pasta and get into all the nooks and crannies of the pasta shapes.
DIY Pizza Night: The Best Backyard Pizza Oven
Once you’ve got your dough perfectly kneaded and spread, your favorite pizza sauce spread to perfection, and your toppings laid out just right, the next crucial step in your pizza-making journey is the bake. For pizza enthusiasts, no regular oven will suffice. To truly elevate your pizza to the highest echelons of flavor and texture, you need a dedicated pizza oven.
Outdoor pizza ovens are a game-changer for homemade pizza. They can reach the high temperatures required for a crispy, airy crust that’s so characteristic of artisanal pizzas. And they’re perfect for your backyard! Picture this: a sunny afternoon, your friends and family gathered around, the heavenly scent of pizzas baking in the outdoor oven wafting in the air – it’s pure joy.
Our recommendation for the best backyard pizza oven is the Ooni Fyra 12 Wood Pellet Pizza Oven. It is the Editor’s Pick in our comprehensive guide, “The Best Outdoor Pizza Ovens.” It’s lightweight, portable, and effortlessly churns out delicious, wood-fired pizzas anywhere.
Outdoor pizza ovens are fun to use, require short prep time, and produce an unbeatable flavor. They’re not just for pizzas either. You can bake bread, roast chicken, and even grill vegetables in them! This is the versatility we love and recommend to everyone who enjoys cooking outdoors.
Alternative Pizza Sauce Options
While traditional tomato-based pizza sauce remains a classic choice for pizza lovers, there’s a whole world of other pizza sauces to explore. These alternative sauces can provide unique flavors and bring a new twist to your pizza.
BBQ Sauce
If you’re a fan of a smoky and sweet flavor profile, then BBQ sauce could be a great alternative for your pizza. It pairs exceptionally well with toppings like chicken, bacon, onions, or pineapple for a tantalizing mix of sweet, tangy, and savory.
BBQ chicken pizza is a popular example of this style. Just be mindful not to use too much, as BBQ sauce can be quite strong and overpowering.
Pesto Pizza Sauce
Pesto sauce, made from basil, garlic, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, and olive oil, can bring a refreshing and herby change to your pizza game.
The rich, nutty flavor of pesto pairs well with a variety of toppings like mozzarella, tomatoes, chicken, or roasted vegetables. It’s a great way to add a bit of gourmet flair to your homemade pizza.
Store-bought Alfredo Sauce
Store-bought Alfredo sauce can be a great time saver when you’re looking to switch things up. The creamy, rich base made of butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese pairs excellently with toppings such as spinach, mushrooms, and various types of cheese.
Chicken Alfredo pizza is a classic example that showcases this creamy sauce option.
Other Pizza Sauces
Other options to consider are olive oil and garlic sauce, often used in white pizzas, or even experimenting with a sweet and spicy sauce like a Thai peanut sauce.
The key to a great pizza isn’t just about sticking with the traditional; it’s about finding a perfect balance of flavors that suits your personal preference. So, go ahead, explore these alternative pizza sauce options and add a fun twist to your pizza night!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best sauce for cheese pizza?
Nothing beats the gooey goodness of a good cheese pizza, and marinara sauce is an ideal accompaniment! This traditional Italian tomato-based condiment has been beloved by cheesy pie aficionados for many years. Its delicate balance between sweetness and tang provides the perfect complement to that melty topping we all know so well.
What kind of sauce do pizzerias use?
Pizzerias commonly rely on the use of a traditional tomato-based pizza sauce to craft their famous dishes. The consistency is usually thicker than that of pasta sauce, due to ingredients such as pureed tomatoes or plain tomato sauce and tomato paste being used in its preparation. The thickness aids in protecting the dough from becoming overly soggy while it cooks inside an oven.
Is store-bought pizza sauce as good as fresh sauce?
While fresh pizza sauce made from scratch often tastes better due to its freshness and the ability to control ingredients, store-bought pizza sauce can be a convenient and tasty option too. It is a time-saver and many brands offer high-quality sauces that closely rival homemade ones.
Can you use extra pizza sauce for other recipes?
Yes, extra pizza sauce can be used in a variety of dishes such as pasta, lasagna, or even as a dip for appetizers. Remember to store the leftover sauce in an airtight container and refrigerate for longer shelf life.
What can I do if my pizza sauce is too salty?
If your store-bought pizza sauce has a salty flavor, try adding a sweet ingredient like a teaspoon of sugar or some grated carrot. You can also mix in some unsalted tomato sauce or paste to dilute the saltiness.
How can I apply pizza sauce evenly on pizza crusts?
Start from the center of the pizza crust and spread the sauce outwards using the back of a spoon or a sauce brush, leaving a small border for the crust. Don’t overload the center as it can make the crust soggy.
Where can I buy good pizza sauce?
Many of the pizza sauces we’ve mentioned will be available at your local grocery store in the pasta sauce section. Online retailers and specialty food stores also carry a variety of pizza sauces and they can also be found on Amazon.
Can I use whole peeled tomatoes to make pizza sauce for my next homemade pie?
Absolutely! Whole peeled tomatoes can be blended into a smooth or chunky sauce depending on your preference. Simmer it with your choice of herbs and spices to create a delicious homemade pizza sauce.