Pizza Sauce – All You Need to Know | Instacart’s Guide to Groceries

What is pizza sauce?

Batman has Robin, Lucy has Ethel, and pizza has pizza sauce. Standard pizza sauce is typically made with plain tomato sauce or pureed tomatoes and tomato paste. Pizza sauce is thicker in consistency than pasta sauce. The reason for having thicker consistency is so the pizza dough does not get soggy as it cooks in the oven. Pizza sauce isn’t limited to just tomato-based sauces. From white pizza sauce to barbecue sauce, there are so many fun ways to add flair and flavor to your pizzas.

Types of pizza sauce

While tomato-based pizza sauce is a tried and true foundation for most pizza creations, you can utilize many different variations of pizza sauce in your cooking endeavors.

Traditional pizza sauce

If you’re looking for the ultimate classic, traditional pizza sauce is the way to go. Traditional pizza sauce is generally made with pureed tomatoes or tomato paste and minimal herbs and spices. You’ll find different recipes that add additional ingredients within the traditional tomato pizza sauce genre. Go with your taste buds to choose a pizza sauce to your liking, but know that any red tomato pizza sauce will help you create a tasty pizza. Shop for traditional pizza sauce.

White pizza sauce

Not into the traditional red pizza sauce? White pizza sauce is also a popular option used as a pizza base. White pizza sauce is great for those who want a creamier sauce base. Although there are varying formulas for white pizza sauce, many are made with ingredients like ricotta, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, herbs and spices such as basil and oregano, and roasted garlic. Shop for white pizza sauce.

Pesto pizza sauce

Another popular non-traditional pizza sauce is pesto. Pesto is customarily made by blending an array of ingredients like fresh basil, extra virgin olive oil, cheese (ideally Parmigiano Reggiano, pecorino romano, or parmesan), pine nuts, garlic, and salt. The final result is a vibrant, herby green sauce packed full of flavor. Shop for pesto pizza sauce.

What is the difference between pizza sauce and marinara?

One common question that arises when it comes to pizza sauce is: what is the difference between pizza sauce and marinara? The main difference between traditional pizza sauce and marinara sauce is that pizza sauce is not precooked. Pizza sauce is made from raw ingredients (tomatoes and minimal spices) and is cooked when it is ladled onto pizza dough. Marinara, on the other hand, is made with cooked ingredients. While marinara also uses tomatoes as its base, more ingredients like onion, garlic, basil, and other seasonings are involved. Shop for marinara sauce.

Pizza sauce and marinara also differ in consistency. Pizza sauce is often thicker in consistency in comparison to marinara sauce. 

What should I look for when buying pizza sauce?

Buying the right pizza sauce depends on what kind of pizza you’re in the mood for. If you’re a classic pepperoni fan, traditional pizza sauce may be the way to go. If you’re a diehard artichoke and prosciutto lover, try adding white pizza sauce to your next pizza creation. Or, if you want a little zing in every bite, add some heat by using spicy pizza sauce as your base.

How to store pizza sauce

Pizza sauce typically comes bottled in glass jars. It is best to store your pizza sauce jars in a cool, dark place like the pantry. It is best not to store your pizza sauce jars near areas that get extremely hot, like the stove or oven. After opening a jar, store any leftover pizza sauce in the fridge to keep cool. It is recommended that you use the remaining pizza sauce within the next five to seven days while it is still fresh.

How to tell if pizza sauce is bad

Because pizza sauce is usually bottled in jars, you can easily check the expiration date listed on the packaging. You can potentially consume the pizza sauce after the expiration date; however, it may not be as fresh or fragrant. If you have a leftover jar of pizza sauce in the fridge, the most telling sign that your pizza sauce has gone bad is visible mold. Check the lid and the top surface of your sauce for any signs of fuzzy mold. If you see any indications that mold has started to grow, throw the item out immediately. Another sign that your pizza sauce has gone bad is the smell. If you notice any rancid or sour odors, dispose of the pizza sauce.

What can I substitute for pizza sauce?

Looking for something a bit out of the ordinary? Try these pizza sauce substitutes to jazz up your traditional pizzas.

Barbecue sauce

Barbecue sauce adds a sweet and smoky flavor to your pizza. Popular toppings that mesh well with barbecue sauce are grilled chicken, crunchy pickled red onions, and gooey cheese.

Buffalo sauce

Try adding buffalo sauce to your pizza. Buffalo sauce adds the zippy tang usually found on chicken wings and transfers it to a pizza. Top your pizza with succulent chicken breast, caramelized onions, green peppers, and provolone cheese.

Sweet potato puree

If you want something super unique, substitute your traditional pizza sauce with a sweet potato puree. Bake your sweet potatoes and blend until it’s a smooth puree. Add toppings like arugula, mushrooms, soppressata (Italian dry salami), and ricotta for a sweet and savory pizza medley.

Shop for pizza sauce

The next time you host a pizza night, try out all the unique pizza sauces and see who can make the tastiest pizza. Pizza sauces are widely available at grocery stores, but if you want to save time, you can easily shop for pizza sauces via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products and decide if you want your groceries delivered or if you want to pick them up curbside.

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Instacart is the leading grocery technology company in North America, partnering with more than 1,400 national, regional, and local retail banners to deliver from more than 80,000 stores across more than 14,000 cities in North America. To read more Instacart posts, you can browse the company blog or search by keyword using the search bar at the top of the page.