Pizza Sauce Varieties: Exploring the Best Bases for Your Pizza

As we know, pizza sauce is one of the main ingredients to make pizza more delicious. It adds flavour and moisture to the pizza base. Therefore, this article will explain the various types of pizza sauce and how they differ. 

What Is Pizza Sauce?

Pizza sauce is a spread used on top of a pizza base. This sauce is made from tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and spices. To use, pizza sauce is not cooked before adding it to the pizza dough. Its function is to preserve the flavour when baked. In addition, the sauce also serves to enrich pizza flavours such as sweetness and sourness.  

Pizza Sauce vs Spaghetti Sauce

There are some differences between pizza sauce and spaghetti sauce.

• Spaghetti sauce is boiled, while pizza sauce is not cooked before baking.
• Pizza sauce is thicker so that it can be spread evenly without making the dough wet. Spaghetti sauce is more liquid, making it easier to mix with pasta.
• Spaghetti sauce usually contains onions, meat, or carrots. Pizza sauce, conversely, is more straightforward as it focuses on complementing the toppings and maintaining freshness to make the pizza taste better. 

Types of Pizza Sauces

Several different pizza sauces offer unique flavours to complement your pizza. Napoli, BBQ, marinara, pesto, and alfredo sauces are the most popular. 

Napoli Sauce

Napoli sauce is a classic pizza sauce with a tomato base often used in traditional Italian pizzas. Also called Neapolitan sauce is made from several ingredients, such as tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, salt, and basil. The tomatoes are crushed to maintain a slightly thick texture. The other seasonings are not excessive, so the freshness of the tomatoes is still felt. 

This sauce is the main component of Neapolitan-style pizza, which is known for its soft and thin crust. This sauce's flavour can enrich the pizza's taste without overpowering the toppings. Usually, the toppings used are basil and mozzarella. 

Marinara Sauce

Marinara sauce is a tomato-based sauce that is pre-cooked. Besides tomatoes, other ingredients include oregano, garlic, onions, olive oil, and various other spices. In addition, this sauce does not contain meat or cheese, making it perfect for vegetarian pizza. Usually, this sauce is varied by adding red chilli flakes to add a little spicy flavour. 

BBQ Sauce

For a more unique flavour, you can use BBQ sauce. This sauce has several ingredients: tomatoes, brown sugar, vinegar, and spices. The consistency is thick, making it easier to stick to the crust. This sauce goes well with smoky chicken or meat and onions. For more variety, you can use molasses or honey for a sweeter flavour. If you want it spicier, you can add mustard or chipotle. 

Pesto Sauce

Pesto sauce is a pizza sauce based on basil, pine nuts, olive oil, and garlic. The sauce, synonymous with green, has a rich and spicy flavour and is quite creamy in texture. It's perfect for pizzas that don't use tomato sauce and are paired with ingredients like chicken or mozzarella. 

Alfredo Sauce

Finally, the white Alfredo sauce is made from cream, parmesan cheese, and butter. Alfredo sauce pairs well with toppings like chicken, mushrooms, and spinach. This sauce is a common choice for white pizza, replacing the traditional tomato-based sauce. 

Piccolino's Pizza with Napoli Sauce

Piccolino's uses Napoli sauce for some of its pizzas. Here are the pizzas in question. 

Prosciutto

The Prosciutto in Piccolino features Napoli sauce, mozzarella and prosciutto. The salty, creamy flavour of the prosciutto pairs well with the bright tomato flavour. Then, the mozzarella cheese melts into a soft layer, balancing the texture.

Capricciosa

Pizza Capricciosa consists of Napoli sauce, mozzarella, ham, mushrooms and olives. The salty combination of olives and ham complements the rich tomato sauce. The mushrooms add an earthy and tangy flavour.

Salame

The Salame pizza contains Napoli sauce, mozzarella and salami. The salami's spicy, slightly smoky flavour complements the tangy tomato flavour. The cheese gives it a creamy texture, making it a classic choice.

Piccante

Pizza Piccante combines robust flavours with a rich Napoli sauce base. It's topped with creamy mozzarella cheese to add a smooth texture that balances the spicy flavours. The nduja sausage brings a rich, tangy flavour that spreads quickly, infusing each bite with an intense flavour. The black olives provide a salty contrast, enhancing the depth of the toppings. 

Fresh chilli peppers add to the heat, making this pizza perfect for those who love spice. A final touch of basil provides a fresh and aromatic scent, enhancing the flavours. Pizza Piccante is great for those who love a spicy and balanced flavour experience.

Porky Pine

Porky Pine Pizza is a classic combination of sweet and savoury flavours. It starts with Napoli sauce, which provides a tangy base that complements the other ingredients. Then mozzarella cheese is added to give it a creamy texture and mild flavour. 

The ham leg gives the pizza a salty and savoury element. The pineapple chunks add a sweet and juicy contrast, creating a balanced flavour profile. This pizza is perfect for those who love the unique blend of ham and pineapple, enhanced by the fresh and tangy Napoli sauce.

Napoletana

Pizza Napoletana is a bold and flavorful choice inspired by traditional Neapolitan cuisine. It starts with a Napoli sauce with a tangy and aromatic flavour. Then, mozzarella cheese is added for its creamy texture, melting perfectly over the sauce.

Capers contribute a tangy and slightly salty flavour, while oregano enhances the overall taste with its earthy aroma. Pizza Napoletana is the perfect choice for those who love intense flavours. 

La Bomba

La Bomba pizza starts with a rich Napoli sauce base, offering a tangy and slightly sweet base flavour. The soft mozzarella cheese melts perfectly over the sauce, creating a smooth and satisfying texture. The Nduja sausage adds a spicy flavour that spreads out, blending with the smoky and savoury notes of the thinly sliced bacon. 

The roasted chilli peppers provide a hint of sweetness and a soft, burnt taste that enhances the overall flavour. The fresh chilli peppers give an extra kick, making this pizza a great choice for those who love bold, spicy flavours.

Eggplant Parmigiana

Eggplant Parmigiana pizza combines classic Italian flavours in a delicious and satisfying combination. It starts with a rich Napoli sauce, providing a tangy and slightly sweet base flavour that complements the other ingredients. Crispy, golden-brown fried eggplant adds a delicate, slightly smoky flavour, enhancing the pizza's texture and depth of flavour. 

Grated Parmesan melts on top, providing a nutty, salty flavour that brings everything together. The fresh basil adds a fragrant herbal touch, balancing the intense flavours with a hint of freshness. 

Conclusion

Pizza sauce is essential, affecting the overall flavour and texture. Different sauces such as Napoli, marinara, BBQ, pesto, and Alfredo provide unique flavours. 

Piccolino Woodfired Pizza and Homemade Pasta offers various pizzas using Napoli sauce, each with different toppings that enhance the dining experience. Visit Piccolino to explore our menu and enjoy the authentic taste of Italy.

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