Sauces are an important part of cuisines all over the world. They enhance the flavor, taste, and also visual appearance of the dish.
Different types of sauces are used in different dishes and cuisines, and two are tomato sauce and pizza sauce.
Key Takeaways
- Tomato sauce is a versatile, cooked sauce made from tomatoes, spices, and herbs, used in various dishes; pizza sauce is an uncooked tomato-based sauce specifically designed for pizza.
- Pizza sauce has a thicker consistency and bolder flavor, allowing it to stand up to high-temperature baking; tomato sauce can have varying consistencies and flavors, depending on the recipe.
- Pizza sauce is seasoned with simple, robust ingredients like garlic, oregano, and basil; tomato sauce can include various herbs, spices, and additional ingredients.
Tomato Sauce vs. Pizza Sauce
Tomato sauce is a liquid condiment made from tomatoes and other ingredients such as onions, garlic, and herbs. Pizza sauce is a type of tomato sauce specifically made for pizzas, with the same ingredients as tomato sauce but is cooked for a shorter time to maintain its bright tomato flavor.
Comparison Table
| Parameter of Comparison | Tomato Sauce | Pizza Sauce |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Ingredient | The basic ingredient used is always tomato. | The basic ingredient used is not always tomato; it could be cream and pesto as well. |
| Origin | This sauce originated in Mexico. | This sauce originated in Italy. |
| Color | The color of this sauce is mostly deep red. | The color of this sauce is tangy red or creamy orange. |
| Flavor | The flavor of this sauce is like tomatoes mixed with some herbs. | The flavor of this sauce is less tomato-like and more cream-like. |
| Uses | It can be used in any dish. | It is used for pizza dishes only. |
| Cooking Time | 30 mins – 60 mins | 15 mins – 25 mins |
What is Tomato Sauce?
Tomato sauce is a type of sauce that is prepared with tomatoes. Tomatoes are a good option for sauces because they have liquid inside, and the outside layer is ideal for the required thickness.
It originated in Mexico.
It is prepared by squashing tomatoes like a paste and adding herbs, spices, and garlic for flavor.
It is mainly used as a side dish and mixed with certain dishes to enhance its taste, texture, and appearance.
It is also used in mostly all cuisines all around the world.
Tomato sauce is so popular and used so commonly because it can be prepared easily with minimal ingredients like tomatoes and some herbs.
The availability of tomatoes is also a big factor here. Also, this sauce has less preparation time, and one can even buy it from any shop easily.
There are many varieties of tomato sauce; they are:
- Mexican – Tomato sauce originated from Mexico itself. So the basic Mexican tomato sauce, also known as salsa de tomaterojo o jitomate, was traditionally prepared with a molcajete to puree the tomatoes, and the food cooked in this sauce is known as entomatada.
- Italian – Tomato-Garlic sauce is a common sauce that is used in Italian cuisine, and it is called alla pizzaiola.
- French – Tomato sauce is called sauce tomate in French cuisines, and it consists of the salt belly of pork, onions, bay leaves, thyme, tomato puree, roux, garlic, sugar, and pepper.
- New Zealand and South Africa – The most common use of tomato sauce in these countries is table sauce, similar to ketchup, but it doesn’t contain vinegar.
- United Kingdom – The tomato is served here by mixing it in the pasta or as a table sauce.
- In Australia, tomato sauce is used as table sauce like American ketchup but with a different mixture and doesn’t contain onions.
- United States – In this country, the tomato sauce is served in two distinct ways: a tomato concentrate with salt and minimal herbs, is half-cooked, and is used for cooking. The other one is American ketchup which has thick consistency of tomato and is fully cooked and used as a table sauce.
- Indian – In Indian cuisine, tomato sauce is used as tomato gravy, a sauce mixed with onions, flour, and Indian spices in many Indian curries and vegetables.
| # | Preview | Product | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Amazon Fresh, Tomato Sauce, 15 Oz (Previously Happy Belly, Packaging May Vary) | Check Price on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Contadina Tomato Sauce, 8 oz (Pack of 24 Cans) | Check Price on Amazon |
What is Pasta Sauce?
Pizza is an Italian dish popular worldwide because of its perfect combination of creaminess, cheesiness, and special herbs and spices, which are present in the sauce spread on the pizza, known as the pizza sauce.
Most of the pizza sauces are tomato-based, which also has a lot of spices, herbs, and garlic, but not all of them. Some have their basic ingredient as cream, depending on the toppings, and such white sauces are known as bechamel.
Bechamel is not so common but is also used in many countries.
The typical tomato-based pizza sauce is prepared by squashing tomatoes well, converting them into a thin consistency, and then adding spiced herbs and garlic, enhancing the sauce’s flavor.
The white one is prepared by replacing tomatoes with cream and pesto.
| # | Preview | Product | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
365 by Whole Foods Market, Organic Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce, 25 Ounce | Check Price on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Prego Traditional Pasta Sauce, 45 Oz Jar | Check Price on Amazon |
Main Differences Between Tomato Sauce and Pizza Sauce
- The basic ingredient used to prepare tomato sauce is always tomato, whereas the basic ingredient for pizza sauce isn’t always tomato; it can also be cream and pesto, depending on the toppings.
- The Tomato sauce is an all-rounder; it can be used in many dishes, whereas pizza sauce is only used in pizzas as spreads.
- The tomato sauce originated from Mexico, whereas the pizza sauce originated from Italy.
- The color of tomato sauce is pure red, and the texture is paste-like, whereas the color of pizza sauce is orange-like, and its texture is thinner and sometimes creamy.
- The cooking time for tomato sauce is 30 – 60 minutes, and the cooking time for pizza sauce is 15 – 25 minutes.
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0260877404001062
- https://ifst.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1745-4549.2001.tb00471.x
Last Updated : 11 June, 2023
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
I found this post to be very educational, as it explained the fundamental differences between tomato sauce and pizza sauce in a clear and concise manner. The comparison table was especially helpful in highlighting the distinctions between these two sauces. The detailed breakdown of the origins and uses of tomato sauce in various global cuisines was fascinating to read.
Absolutely, the breakdown of the origins and uses of tomato sauce adds depth to the article, providing valuable insights into the diverse cultural significance of this sauce. The detailed information on pizza and pasta sauces further enriches the content, making it a compelling read for culinary enthusiasts.
The detailed comparison between tomato sauce and pizza sauce is very helpful in understanding the difference between the two types of sauce. I appreciate the extensive discussion on the origins and uses of various tomato sauces in different cuisines around the world, which gives a broad view of the variations of tomato sauce globally. The information on pasta sauce is an interesting addition to the post as well.
Yes, I completely agree with your sentiments! The post has provided comprehensive details about tomato and pizza sauces, and the addition of pasta sauce information makes it more informative and engaging as it covers another essential aspect of sauces in the culinary world.