When it comes to pizza, a great sauce can elevate your homemade creations. Discover the top-rated sauces recommended by chefs for perfect pizza nights.
I asked 4 prominent chefs about their favorite store-bought pizza sauces, and their unanimous top pick was surprising. Knowing the best options can transform your pizza experience!
The Best Store-Bought Pizza Sauces
Rao’s Pizza Sauce surprised everyone with its rich tomato aroma, texture, and versatility. It received praise from Chef George Formaro for capturing the true essence of Italian home-cooked sauces. The ingredients reflect simplicity and quality: Italian whole-peeled tomatoes, carrots, onions, and more. This Rao’s pizza sauce stands out with a flavor that feels homemade and can adapt to any pizza style, whether you prefer classic Margherita or a loaded supreme.
Yumna Jawad emphasizes its simple ingredient list, which helps keep the pizza authentic. Using Rao’s sauce guarantees that your pizza will taste like it was made by an Italian nonna!
Pomì Pizza Sauce: Clean and Natural
Another contender, Pomì pizza sauce, caught the chefs' attention for its clean and natural tomato flavor. Recognized for having no added sugars, this sauce allows the fresh taste of the tomatoes to shine through. Chef Formaro often features it on various pizza styles, from Tortilla to classic recipes. In addition to its robust flavor, Pomì maintains a balance without overwhelming sweetness.
Sarah Haas noted its ingredients: tomatoes, olive oil, salt, oregano, and more, proving that simplicity can yield flavorful results. Whether you’re whipping up a quick weeknight pizza or preparing for a gathering, Pomì pizza sauce remains a versatile choice to complement an array of toppings.
Cento Pizza Sauce: Quality in Simplicity
Cento pizza sauce deserves a mention, lauded for having a minimal ingredient list. With natural ingredients including tomato concentrate, salt, and extra-virgin olive oil, it allows the natural flavors to flourish. Chef Andres Kaifer appreciates how fewer ingredients can lead to a more pronounced tomato flavor, creating a high-quality sauce for homemade pizzas.
This sauce can enhance any pizza creation, perfect for deep-dish or Neapolitan styles. You won’t regret adding Cento to your next shopping list!
What Makes a Great Pizza Sauce?
Chefs recommend looking for certain qualities in a pizza sauce, which can be summarized as follows:
- Rich Tomato Flavor: A sauce should evoke the sweetness of ripe, summer tomatoes.
- No Sugar: Authentic pizza sauce doesn’t need added sweetness; the natural tomatoes are sweet enough.
- No Preservatives: Quality sauces should avoid artificial preservatives, relying on the natural elements from the tomatoes.
- Ideal Consistency: Sauces can range from chunky to smooth, depending on the preferred pizza style. A robust sauce should never make your crust soggy.
Enhance Your Store-Bought Sauces
Even the best store-bought options can be improved. Chefs like Jawad suggest adding fresh herbs like basil or oregano, or even minced garlic for extra flavor. For unique twists, consider mixing in:
- A sprinkle of crushed red pepper for heat.
- A spoonful of high-quality Parmesan cheese for richness.
- A drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil to enhance the texture.
- A spoonful of tomato paste to thicken if necessary.
These simple enhancements can turn a good sauce into a great one, allowing for a fully customized pizza experience.
Which Sauce Should You Choose?
Ultimately, choosing the right pizza sauce boils down to personal preference and the pizza style you aim to create. Whether you opt for Rao's, Pomì, or Cento, each sauce can help you deliver flavor-packed experiences. Impress your friends with semi-homemade pizzas without the fuss of making everything from scratch.
Enjoy combining quality ingredients and taking your pizza game to the next level! A perfect pizza is just a sauce away, so get ready to revolutionize your pizza nights with these expert-approved sauces.