Are you as frustrated as I am with the question, “Can I use pasta sauce for pizza?” Let me tell you a story. I was in the same situation as you about a year ago, searching for the answer: is it right to use pasta for pizza? And when I was trying to find the answer, unfortunately, I came across a lot of wrong information. And I get confused.
My friend’s family used to run a pizza shop near our school. Believe me, they were the best pizza maker in our town back then.
I took the opportunity to ask my friend if I could use pasta for pizza. And she told me, ‘’Why not?’’ She showed me everything in detail, and I noted them all down. Since then, I haven’t had to worry about this confusion again.
And today, my friend, I am here to share the answer to whether you can use pasta sauce for pizza. So, without further ado, let’s find out!
Can I use Pasta Sauce for Pizza?
The answer is yes. You can use the pasta sauce for preparing your pizza. It has every quality to make your pasta delicious. But first, you should know how to use that sauce correctly by following some simple steps.
You can get your desired result by simmering pasta sauce while making pizza. It simply reduces the moisture and gives you an exceptional taste.
Herbs and seasoning is another delicate technique that you can use to achieve an appetizing flavor.
Besides, if you are a classic pizza lover, then it will be better to use pizza sauce rather than using pasta sauce or other liquids. Trust me, It will be a great treat to your tongue.
Differences Between Pizza Sauce And Pasta Sauce
There are some tiny differences between pizza and pasta sauces. So, it’s essential to understand the differences between the two to avoid any unexpected result.
As we know, pizza sauce is usually thicker in consistency than pasta sauce. And this is the most notable difference between pizza and pasta sauce. This thickness of pizza sauce helps to restrain the pizza crust from becoming over-moist.
On the other hand, pasta sauce is thinner and a little bit smoother. This texture of pasta sauce is ideal for coating pasta evenly. So, if we use pasta sauce for pizza, we can make the best flavorful and saucy pizza ever.
In the case of taste, pizza sauce is typically more intense than pasta sauce. It stands out against the other pizza ingredients. And that is what makes this sauce so thick to compliment the pizza crust.
However, pasta sauce is more balanced and subtle in flavor. That’s why it can pair different nuances instead of overpowering them.
Additionally, pizza sauces generally contain higher levels of salt and spices. For those who like to have more salt and spices in their food, adding up pizza sauces to their pizzas would be an excellent decision for them.
Conversely, pasta sauce is delicate in taste, which can shine in any recipe when added with other ingredients.
| Characteristic | Pizza Sauce | Pasta Sauce |
|---|---|---|
| Consistency | Thicker | Smoother and thinner |
| Flavor | Intense and bold | Balanced and nuanced |
| Seasoning | Higher levels of salt and spices | Gentle seasoning |
So far, we have discussed the differences between pizza and pasta sauce. Now, it’s important to know whether your pasta sauce suits your pizza. No worries… I will help you to figure this out. Read on for the answer.
Is Pasta Sauce Compatible with Pizza?
Fig 1 – Pasta sauce for pizza
If you are thinking of whether pasta sauce on pizza is compatible, my answer is yes, it is telling it from my experience. You will be surprised by the result. Even it is a popular choice for every cook who loves to make pizza at home.
Earlier, we talked about how pasta sauce adds thickness and pairs well with crusts like bread with butter, providing you with a more hard or complex base for your pizza. I hope now it is clear that pasta sauce is indeed compatible with pizza.
Before you add pasta sauce to your pizza, you should know the basic concept of flavor pairing. That will help you to learn more about the compliments or clashes, which pizza styles pair well with pasta sauce, and what sauces you should ignore.
Once you know them all, you can produce an extraordinary taste in your pizza, even though you are using pasta sauce.
Hence, it is worth digging in depth to understand this flavor pairing topic better.
Basics of Flavor Pairing When Using Pasta Sauce
Fig 2 – Flavour pairing of pasta sauce
1. Consider Acidity
You have to consider the acidity of pasta sauce. It can be tangy, which means you are going to have a sour taste in your pizza.
But here is a twist: if you are using meats like pepperoni or sausage, the sourness of pasta sauce can pair with them like the butter melts with heat. And that specialty of this pasta can give you a mouthwatering taste.
2. Accept Sweetness
Pasta sauces are usually sweeter than others. When you are using pasta sauce, it automatically brings a contracting taste.
If you use salty meats or bitter greens, the sweetness of this sauce will pair with them. That will provide you with a contrasting flavor.
3. Spice Alert
If you prefer less spicy pizza like me, then you may need to adjust the spice level in your pasta sauce to enjoy the flavors to the best.
How the Flavors of Pasta Sauce Can Complement or Clash
It is a usual thing that sometimes pasta sauce can complement or clash with the ingredients of your pizza.
Let me give you some examples now. For instance, Alfredo sauce can pair perfectly with a crumb-crust pizza and mozzarella cheese. On the other hand, the same sauce can mess up with a sweet or spicy pizza.
Suppose you are using pasta sauce and you don’t know how to preserve it. Then there is an article that can help you: How Long Does Pasta Sauce Last In The Fridge?
To make you more clear about pasta sauce, I have given you some examples below of how the taste of pasta sauce can complement or clash with the ingredients of pizza.
Complementary Flavor Pairs
Fig 3 – Delicious Alfredo
Alfredo Sauce:
Grilled chicken and mozzarella cheese with Alfredo sauce can give an exceptional taste when added to your pizza, as it has an amazing texture that can pair perfectly with other pizza ingredients.
Fig 4 -Marinara sauce
Marinara Sauce:
Marinara sauce with sausage and mozzarella cheese is a great pair. The zesty tomato sauce base of this pasta sauce can increase /improve the taste of the pizza you are making. You can watch this Marinara Sauce Recipe to get the best result.
Fig 5 – Pesto sauce
Pesto Sauce:
Grilled veggies with mozzarella pesto sauce can provide a flavorful taste to your pizza. It adds a burst of fresh basil and nutty flavors. That complements the cheese and other ingredients of pizza superbly.
Clashing Flavor Pairs:
- If you are thinking about using Alfredo sauce in sweet Hawaiian pizza toppings, then please do not do this. Because if you do so, trust me, it will create a weird taste, and you will not like it.
- The combination of Marinara pasta sauce with the toppings of seafood can be a mess as the seafood generally overpowers the other ingredients of any dish. So mixing the marinara pasta sauce with the seafood toppings is not a good idea as this combination might create an imbalance or contrast.
- As we know, the flavor of pesto sauce is nutty and garlicky. So for this bright flavor of pesto sauce, it can clash with the spiciness of jalapenos on a pizza. It creates a flavor that messes up with the actual taste of your pizza.
Pizza Styles That Work Well with Pasta Sauce
Fig 6 – Suitable pizza style for pasta sauce
While preparing a pizza with pasta sauce, it is very important to pick out the accurate pizza style that compliments the sauce perfectly.
For instance, some pizza styles pair well with pasta sauce, and others may not. By picking out the suitable pizza style and pasta sauce, you can make the most tasty pizza.
Now, let’s discuss some pizza styles that work well with pasta sauce.
1. Margherita Pizza
This classic pizza can be made using pasta sauce. The ingredients of this pizza, such as mozzarella cheese, fresh tomatoes, and basil with a simple marinara sauce, can create an outstanding result.
2. White Pizza
Generally, these pizzas are made with white sauce instead of red sauce. For this reason, its style provides the freedom to use a creamy Alfredo or pesto sauce rather than traditional pizza sauce.
3. Sicilian Pizza
This has a thick and fluffy crust and various toppings. A meat-based ragù or any other thicker pasta sauce would be an excellent choice for you to complement the pizza’s texture.
Tips for Successfully Using Pasta Sauce on Pizza
Converting pasta sauce into a tasteful pizza sauce is easy to work when knowing the exact method to adjust its consistency and cooking procedures. Additionally, it is essential to add up the right ingredients in a proper proportion.
You can improve the taste of your pizza sauce by making some simple modifications. And if you do it properly, then it will be a great companion to your homemade pizza.
Now it’s the right time to learn some tricks for using pasta sauce on your pizza to make it more flavorful. Keep going.
Fig 7 – Adjusting the pasta sauce consistency
In the above discussion, we discussed which type of sauce is preferable for which type of pizza. You all know you must use a thicker sauce while making a pizza.
If you are thinking about using pasta sauce in your pizza, then you may need to adjust the consistency of the sauce that you are going to use in your pizza.
There are several ways to do this, and I have listed them below for your reference:
1. Simmer the Sauce
The first thing you have to do is simmering the sauce for at least 10 minutes. It will help to reduce the liquid. And your pasta sauce will get the desired thicker texture, which is highly recommended for the pizza.
2. Add Tomato Paste
One of the tips my mother taught me to thicken pasta sauce is to use tomato paste. And my experience says that it is the easiest way to make your sauce thicker.
Add 1-2 tablespoons of tomato paste to the sauce and stir until they are well combined. If the sauce is still not thick enough, simply add more tomato paste until it reaches the desired consistency.
3. Smooth the Sauce
Sometimes, you might need to smooth the sauce for a better pizza experience. To do that, use a food processor. You have to blend it until you reach the desired consistency.
But here is a caution: be careful about over-blinding the sauce. Or there is a chance that it will become too thick or pasty.
Pre-cooking or Pre-seasoning Tips
Do you know that pre-cooking or pre-seasoning can make a significant difference when you are using pasta sauce instead of pizza sauce on your pizza?
Yes, it is an essential technique that can help to enhance the flavor and suitability of the sauce.
Here are a few tips:
- You can enhance the flavor of your sauce; you can add olive oil alongside garlic and onions. Start by heating olive oil in a pan and add some garlic and onions. When the garlic and onions are cooked, add the pasta sauce and stir well.
- Add your preferred herbs and spices like oregano, basil, garlic powder, or chili flakes to the sauce. It will make the sauce more flavorful. And no one will be able to understand actually which sauce you have used.
- In the end, just like Salt Bae, sprinkle some salt and pepper over the sauce to add an extra kick of taste.
Some Additional Ingredients
- Add grated parmesan cheese to your pasta sauce to get a richer flavor.
- Choose balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar for a bit of acidity.
- To increase the sweetness, you can add a dollop of honey or maple syrup.
- For a meaty pizza, add cooked beef, sausage, or pepperoni to the sauce to get an outstanding result.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
There are some common mistakes that we usually make when we use pasta sauce instead of pizza sauce for the pizza. What are they? Find out in the following section:
Mistake 1: Using Too Much Sauce
I used to think that the more sauce I add, the more it will taste delicious. But it’s a myth. The use of excessive sauce will disbalance the taste, and the pizza will taste like horse shit.
Solution:
Simply add a thin layer of water, or you can spray it on the pizza dough. This will reduce the strong taste of the extra sauce.
Mistake 2: Using the Wrong Pasta Sauce
You have to the sauce compatibility. Otherwise, you will bake a pizza that will abuse your taste buds.
Solution:
Read the pre-cooking or pre-seasoning technique and the flavor pairing techniques that I discussed earlier to avoid this mistake.
Mistake 3: Overcooking the Sauce
To avoid making your pasta sauce bitter or dry, don’t overcook it.
Solution:
Avoid this mistake by simmering the sauce over low heat until it becomes thick.
If you ever feel bored of trying pizza again and again, remember to try this: Types of Pasta | Unleash the Flavorful World of Pasta.
FAQs
Do pasta sauce and pizza sauce taste the same?
No, pasta sauce and pizza sauce are not the same sauce. Pizza sauce is made from uncooked tomatoes, whereas pasta sauce is well-cooked and contains more herbs and spices.
Is pasta sauce the same as tomato sauce?
Nope, pasta sauce and tomato sauce are not the same sauce, pal. Because pasta sauce is thicker and tastier than tomato sauce.
Is Pasta Sauce Better than Pizza Sauce?
It depends on your personal choice. However, pasta sauce is cooked and seasoned heavily, while the pizza sauce is fresh and uncooked.
Conclusion
I hope this article has provided the answer you were looking for. As I elaborated every detail from my personal experience, I believe you can stop worrying about, “Can I use pasta sauce for pizza?” Though, let’s take a ride on the road that we have crossed together.
In the inception, we have discussed the differences between pasta and pizza sauce, as well as the compatibility of pasta sauce with pizza. Additionally, I have told you some helpful tips from my personal experience and what my friend taught me. And I guess I did clear up the maximum confusion you may have had.
Now that you know what exactly you need to do when this ‘’Can I use pasta sauce for pizza?’’, question meets you again; why don’t we head to the kitchen and try it out? I bet you’ll be surprised by the results.