Pizza sauce and marinara sauce are two popular sauces used in Italian cuisine. They have many similarities, but also some distinctions that set them apart. The purpose of this article is to explore the differences between pizza sauce and marinara sauce in order to help cooks make the best decisions for their dishes.
We will discuss the main ingredients of both sauces, as well as some suggested uses for each one.
Finally, we will provide a few recipes that incorporate these two Italian staples.
What is Pizza Sauce?
Pizza sauce is a thick and flavorful tomato-based red sauce that is used on pizza. It typically contains tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, oregano, basil, and other spices. Pizza sauce is usually cooked and then spread onto pizza dough before it is topped with cheese and other toppings. The pizza sauce should be slightly chunky in order to give pizza an authentic Italian flavor and texture. The thickness of it helps to keep the pizza from getting soggy, and the flavor helps to bring all of the pizza toppings together. It can also be prepared with different types of cheeses such as Parmesan or mozzarella for added richness.
What is Marinara Sauce?
Marinara sauce is a light tomato-based sauce that is used in Italian cuisine. It does not contain cheese and has fewer ingredients than pizza sauce. The classic Italian marinara sauce is a tantalizing blend of tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and freshly-ground herbs like oregano and basil.
Furthermore, several secret spices often add an extra kick to this delectable condiment. It is usually cooked, but it can also be served uncooked as a condiment. Marinara is a versatile sauce, perfect for anchoring your favorite pasta dishes or adding flavor to pizza and other appetizers.
History of Pizza Sauce
Pizza sauce has its roots in Italian cuisine, where it was originally used as a topping for pizza. It was first developed in the late 18th century by pizzaiolos who wanted to create a thicker and more flavorful sauce than marinara. Over time, pizza makers experimented with different ingredients and spices to come up with their own unique pizza sauces.
The created pizza sauces with simple ingredients such as tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and herbs. It is believed that pizza sauce originated as a way to stretch tomato puree for pizzas made with large amounts of toppings. The pizzaiolo would spread a layer of pizza sauce on the dough before adding the toppings and cheese, which helped prevent them from becoming soggy. Today, pizza sauce is enjoyed all over the world and comes in a variety of flavors.
History of Marinara Sauce
Marinara sauce also has its origins in Naples, Italy, where it was first developed by pizza makers as an accompaniment to pizza and has been popular since the 18th century. It was a simple tomato-based sauce that was created by fishermen’s wives who had access to fresh seafood like anchovies and tuna. The original marinara recipes did not contain cheese but were still flavorful and hearty.
Over time, the recipe evolved to include additional ingredients such as garlic, olive oil, oregano, basil, and other spices. In the late 20th century, Italian chefs began experimenting with different ingredients to create their own variations of marinara sauce. Today, it is a popular accompaniment to pizza and pasta dishes around the world.
Uses of Pizza Sauce
Pizza sauce is best used when making pizza, as it provides a savory tomato flavor and rich texture. It can also be used in calzones, stromboli or garlic bread pizza as an alternative to tomato paste or pizza dough spread with tomato sauce. as an alternative to tomato paste or pizza dough spread with tomato sauce. Pizza sauce can also be used in dishes like lasagna, stuffed shells, eggplant parmesan, casseroles, and more.
Uses of Marinara Sauce
Marinara sauce is often served over pasta dishes such as spaghetti or ravioli but can also be used on pizza or as an excellent dipping sauce for appetizers. Marinara sauce can be used in a variety of ways including pasta dishes, pizza toppings, sauces for meatballs or fish filets.
It can be served as a condiment over pizza, a topping for bruschetta or crostini. It can also be used as a base for other Italian dishes such as eggplant parmesan and stuffed shells. It pairs well with seafood, chicken, and vegetables.
Ingredients Comparison
Pizza sauce and marinara have some similar ingredients, but pizza sauce usually contains crushed tomatoes while marinara is made with tomato puree. Additionally, pizza sauce often has a bit more spice than marinara due to the addition of red pepper flakes. Both sauces also contain onions, garlic, oregano, basil, salt and pepper.
Flavor Comparison
Pizza sauce is slightly spicier than marinara due to the addition of red pepper flakes. Pizza sauces also have a richer flavor because of the garlic, oregano and basil, while marinara tends to be more subtle in flavor since it does not contain as many spices.
Consistency Comparison
Pizza sauce is usually thicker than marinara due to the addition of crushed tomatoes. Since pizza sauces do not contain as much tomato puree, they have a more robust flavor and less liquid than marinara sauce. Marinara sauce has a thinner consistency and is often used as a dipping or spreading sauce for pizza or pasta dishes.
Cost Comparison
Pizza sauce is typically cheaper than marinara because it contains fewer ingredients. However, pizza sauces can be expensive depending on the brand and quality of ingredients used. Marinara sauce is typically the most affordable option, costing around $2 for a 24-ounce jar. Pizza sauce can cost slightly more, ranging from $3 to $4 for a 16-ounce jar.
Can These Two Sauces Be Used Interchangeably?
Pizza sauce and marinara can both be used to make pizza and other Italian dishes. However, pizza sauce is thicker and spicier than marinara so it is best suited for pizza while marinara works better as a dipping or spreading sauce due to its thinner consistency. Additionally, the best option for a particular dish will depend on the recipe and the desired flavor profile. Pizza should be made with pizza sauce if the pizza is going to be cooked in the oven because pizza sauce has a thicker consistency and will hold up better during cooking.
Recipes
Transform your culinary creations with a mouthwatering combination of pizza sauce and marinara! Now you can craft dishes that not only look sensational but taste even better. Prepare to be amazed by the delectable goodness this double serving of recipes delivers right to your table.
Pizza Margherita with Homemade Pizza Sauce
Ingredients:
– 2 cups of tomatoes (diced)
– 1 small onion (diced)
– 2 cloves of garlic (minced)
– 2 tablespoons of olive oil
– 2 teaspoons of oregano
– 1 teaspoon of basil
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add the onion and garlic, cooking until soft and fragrant.
3. Add the diced tomatoes and seasonings, stirring for 3 minutes.
4. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened.
5. Remove from heat and allow to cool before using on pizza dough or other dishes as desired!
Linguine with Marinara Sauce
Ingredients:
– 2 tablespoons of olive oil
– 1 small onion (diced)
– 2 cloves of garlic (minced)
– 28 ounces of canned tomato puree
– 1 teaspoon of oregano
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add the onion and garlic, cooking until soft and fragrant.
3. Add the tomato puree, oregano and seasonings, stirring for 3 minutes until combined.
4. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened.
5. Serve over cooked linguine pasta and enjoy!
Cooking Methods
Pizza sauce and marinara can be cooked either in the oven or on the stovetop. For pizza sauce, it is best to cook it in the oven since pizza sauces usually have a thicker consistency which will hold up better when cooked in the pizza dough. For marinara, both methods work great; however, cooking it on the stovetop will result in a quicker and more flavorful sauce due to its thinner consistency. Both sauces can be cooked over low to medium heat until thickened, stirring occasionally. Pizza sauce is usually ready in 10 minutes while marinara may take up to 15 minutes.
When making pizza, pizza sauce should be spread over the pizza dough before topping with cheese and other ingredients. Marinara, on the other hand, can be used as a dipping or spreading sauce for pizza or served alongside cooked pasta.
Health Benefits
Pizza sauce and marinara both offer similar nutritional benefits. They are both low in fat and calories and contain high amounts of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other beneficial compounds.
Both sauces are made primarily from tomatoes which contain lycopene, an antioxidant known to reduce the risk of certain cancers and heart disease. Tomatoes are also high in Vitamin C and potassium, essential nutrients for a balanced diet.
Additionally, pizza sauce is higher in sodium than marinara due to its added seasonings so it should be consumed in moderation.
Health Risks
Overconsumption of pizza sauce and marinara can lead to health risks due to their high sodium content. Due to that, they should be consumed in moderation. Excessive consumption can lead to high blood pressure, water retention and an increased risk of stroke.
Additionally, pizza sauce may contain ingredients like sugar or preservatives which could also have adverse health effects if consumed in large quantities. To help reduce the sodium content, use a low-sodium pizza sauce or opt for homemade pizza sauce.
It’s also important to limit processed foods that contain added preservatives and other unhealthy ingredients.
FAQ
Q: Are pizza sauce and marinara healthy?
A: Although pizza sauce and marinara are both low in fat, calories, and packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants – pizza sauce tends to contain a significantly higher amount of sodium due to its extra seasonings. This means that it should be enjoyed sparingly. On top of this increased sodium content, pizza may also include preservatives or other unhealthy components so always double-check the ingredients list before indulging!
Q: How do you cook pizza sauce or marinara?
A: When creating the perfect pizza, it’s important to understand how to best cook each type of sauce. Pizza sauce is thick and should always be cooked in the oven for 10 minutes over low-medium heat as you stir occasionally. On the other hand, marinara can be prepared on either a stovetop or an oven; just remember that it will take up to 15 minutes with constant stirring until adequately thickened.
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Conclusion: Choosing the Right Sauce
When it comes to pizza sauce vs marinara sauce, there is really no right or wrong answer. Pizza sauce and marinara are both delicious and versatile sauces that can be used to enhance the flavor of pizza, pasta and other dishes. While they are similar in some ways, pizza sauce tends to be thicker with added seasonings while marinara is usually thinner with fewer seasonings. When it comes to health benefits, pizza sauce and marinara both offer beneficial nutrients like lycopene, Vitamin C and potassium; however pizza sauce tends to have more added sodium. Ultimately, the best option is to opt for homemade pizza or marinara sauces which are lower in sodium and can be customized to your personal preference. No matter what sauce you choose, it is important to consume them in moderation to avoid any negative health effects.
This content has been written to help explain the differences between pizza sauce and marinara, their cooking methods, health benefits, and potential health risks. With this information you can now choose which sauce is best for your pizza or pasta dish. Enjoy!
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John Battaini
Hi, my name is John Battaini and I am the founder of Wonder Pizza USA. We are the world’s foremost authority on pizza vending machines, with many years of experience and knowledge in the industry. In addition, we are also a collection of pizza enthusiasts with a lot of knowledge about PIZZA.