Are you a fan of Italian cuisine? Do you love making homemade pizzas but struggle to find the perfect pizza sauce?
Look no further! In this article, we’ll explore the differences between marinara sauce and pizza sauce and teach you how to transform your marinara sauce into the perfect pizza sauce.
With just a few simple tweaks, you can elevate your homemade pizza game and impress your family and friends.
So, let’s dive in and learn how to turn marinara into pizza sauce!
How To Turn Marinara Into Pizza Sauce?
Marinara sauce and pizza sauce are both tomato-based sauces that are hallmarks of Italian cuisine. However, they have different consistencies and are used for different purposes. Marinara sauce is thicker and is typically used as a dip or pasta sauce, while pizza sauce is thinner and is used as a topping for pizzas.
If you have a jar of marinara sauce in your pantry and want to use it as a pizza sauce, there are a few simple steps you can take to transform it into the perfect pizza sauce.
First, you’ll need to thin out the marinara sauce. Pizza sauce should be thinner than marinara sauce, so you’ll need to add some liquid to the marinara sauce to achieve the right consistency. You can use water or chicken broth to thin out the marinara sauce. Start by adding a small amount of liquid and gradually add more until you reach the desired consistency.
Next, you’ll need to adjust the seasoning. Pizza sauce typically has a stronger, fuller flavor than marinara sauce, so you’ll need to add some additional herbs and spices to the marinara sauce. You can add dried oregano, basil, and garlic powder to give the sauce a more robust flavor.
Finally, you’ll need to sweeten the sauce slightly. Tomatoes are naturally acidic, and pizza sauce should have a slightly sweet taste to balance out the acidity. You can add a small amount of honey or sugar to the marinara sauce to achieve this balance.
What Is The Difference Between Marinara Sauce And Pizza Sauce?
Although marinara sauce and pizza sauce are both tomato-based sauces, they have a few key differences. The main difference is consistency. Marinara sauce is thicker than pizza sauce and is typically used as a dip or pasta sauce, while pizza sauce is thinner and is used as a topping for pizzas.
Another difference between the two sauces is the cooking process. Marinara sauce is usually slow-simmered, allowing the flavors to meld together over time. Pizza sauce, on the other hand, can be prepared fairly quickly and doesn’t require as much cooking time.
In terms of flavor, pizza sauce tends to be more limited in taste than marinara sauce. Pizza sauce typically contains only a few herbs and spices, while marinara sauce has a more complex flavor profile due to the addition of ingredients like onion and garlic.
Lastly, marinara sauce tends to be more versatile than pizza sauce. While pizza sauce is primarily used for pizzas, marinara can be used for pasta dishes, meatball sauces, chicken parmesan, ratatouille, and more.
Ingredients Needed To Transform Marinara Sauce Into Pizza Sauce
To transform marinara sauce into pizza sauce, you’ll need the following ingredients:
1. Water or chicken broth: You’ll need to add liquid to the marinara sauce to achieve the right consistency for pizza sauce. Water or chicken broth can be used for this purpose.
2. Dried oregano: Pizza sauce typically has a stronger flavor than marinara sauce, and dried oregano can help achieve this flavor. Add a teaspoon or two of dried oregano to the marinara sauce.
3. Dried basil: Dried basil is another herb that can be added to the marinara sauce to give it a more robust flavor. Add a teaspoon or two of dried basil to the marinara sauce.
4. Garlic powder: Pizza sauce should have a strong garlic flavor, and garlic powder can help achieve this flavor. Add a teaspoon of garlic powder to the marinara sauce.
5. Honey or sugar: Tomatoes are naturally acidic, and pizza sauce should have a slightly sweet taste to balance out the acidity. Add a small amount of honey or sugar to the marinara sauce to achieve this balance.
By adding these ingredients to your marinara sauce, you can easily transform it into the perfect pizza sauce for your homemade pizzas.
Step-by-step Instructions To Turn Marinara Into Pizza Sauce
Now that you know the basic steps to turn marinara sauce into pizza sauce, let’s dive into a more detailed step-by-step guide.
Step 1: Thin Out The Marinara Sauce
Start by pouring the marinara sauce into a saucepan and heating it over medium heat. Add a small amount of water or chicken broth to the saucepan and whisk it together with the marinara sauce. Gradually add more liquid until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. Keep in mind that pizza sauce should be thinner than marinara sauce, so don’t be afraid to add more liquid if needed.
Step 2: Adjust The Seasoning
Once you’ve achieved the right consistency, it’s time to adjust the seasoning. Add dried oregano, basil, and garlic powder to the saucepan and stir to combine. Start with a small amount of each and taste the sauce as you go. You can always add more seasoning if needed.
Step 3: Sweeten The Sauce
Tomatoes are naturally acidic, so you’ll need to sweeten the sauce slightly to balance out the acidity. Add a small amount of honey or sugar to the saucepan and stir to combine. Taste the sauce and adjust the sweetness as needed.
Step 4: Simmer The Sauce
Once you’ve adjusted the seasoning and sweetness, it’s time to simmer the sauce. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes. This will help all of the flavors meld together and create a delicious pizza sauce.
Step 5: Cool And Store The Sauce
Once the sauce has finished simmering, remove it from the heat and let it cool down. Once it’s cooled, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
By following these simple steps, you can easily turn your marinara sauce into a delicious pizza sauce that’s perfect for homemade pizzas or pasta dishes. Experiment with different herbs and spices to create your own unique flavor profile!
Tips For Making The Perfect Pizza Sauce
Here are some tips to help you make the perfect pizza sauce using marinara sauce:
1. Choose the right marinara sauce: Not all marinara sauces are created equal, so it’s important to choose a high-quality sauce that has a thick consistency and a rich, tomato flavor.
2. Thin out the marinara sauce: As mentioned earlier, pizza sauce should be thinner than marinara sauce. Use water or chicken broth to thin out the marinara sauce gradually until you achieve the desired consistency.
3. Adjust the seasoning: Pizza sauce should have a bold flavor that complements the other toppings on the pizza. Add dried oregano, basil, and garlic powder to the marinara sauce to give it a more robust flavor.
4. Sweeten the sauce: To balance out the acidity of the tomatoes, add a small amount of honey or sugar to the marinara sauce.
5. Use a blender: If you prefer a smoother pizza sauce, put the sauce in a blender after simmering it for 8-10 minutes until it has reduced and thickened. This will give you a smoother consistency that spreads easily over your pizza crust.
By following these tips, you can turn your ordinary marinara sauce into a delicious pizza sauce that will take your homemade pizzas to the next level!
Creative Ways To Use Leftover Pizza Sauce
If you have leftover pizza sauce, don’t let it go to waste! There are many creative ways to use it in your cooking. Here are some ideas:
1. Salad Dressing: Pizza sauce can be a great shortcut to making a quick and tasty salad dressing. Simply add some vinegar, honey, and mustard to your leftover pizza sauce, shake it up in a mason jar, and drizzle it over your salad.
2. Shakshuka: This North African and Middle Eastern breakfast dish can be made with leftover pizza sauce. Add some bell peppers, chopped onions, mushrooms, paprika, and your pizza sauce to a pan, let it simmer, and crack some eggs on top to poach in the tomato sauce. Top with green onions and feta cheese for an extra flavor boost.
3. Pizza Rolls: If you love making fried or spring rolls, you’re halfway there to making pizza rolls with your leftover pizza sauce. Combine the sauce with cheese, sausage, and pepperoni in a bowl, wrap it in egg roll wrappers, and deep-fry until golden brown.
4. Barbecue Sauce: Use your leftover pizza sauce as a base for a delicious barbecue sauce for your meats. Simply let the meat soak in the pizza sauce and bake it for 45 minutes for a rich and flavorful taste.
5. Salsa: Turn your pizza sauce into a tasty salsa by adding lime juice, hot sauce, black beans, and chopped red onion to the mix. Blend everything together until pureed for a delicious dip.
6. Pasta Sauce: Use your leftover pizza sauce as a pasta sauce by tossing it with cooked pasta and veggies of your choice. Add chicken or meatballs for an extra protein boost.
7. Casserole: Make a pizza casserole by combining noodles, pizza sauce, pepperoni or ham (or leave out the meat for a vegetarian option), mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, spinach (or other veggies), and halved grape or cherry tomatoes. Bake until bubbly and golden brown.
With these creative ideas, you’ll never have to waste leftover pizza sauce again!
