The main difference between pizza sauce and pasta sauce is that pizza sauce is a raw tomato sauce with a thicker and smoother consistency, while pasta sauce is a cooked sauce with a thinner consistency.
There are various types of pasta sauces, including meat sauces, tomato sauces, and cheese sauces. In this article, we are specifically discussing tomato pasta sauces since it’s the sauce most people confuse with pizza sauce.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Pizza Sauce
– Definition, Features
2. What is Pasta Sauce
– Definition, Features
3. Difference Between Pizza Sauce and Pasta Sauce
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Pasta Sauce, Pizza Sauce
What is Pizza Sauce
Pizza sauce is the tomato-based sauce poured on pizza dough before adding the toppings. It is usually made with tomato sauce or tomato paste and pureed tomatoes. Pizza sauce has a variety of seasonings like Italian seasonings, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, and sugar. Pizza sauce typically has a thick and smooth consistency. This consistency prevents the dough from becoming too soggy while the pizza cooks in the oven. Moreover, the texture of the tomatoes in the sauce tends to be grainy. When considering the flavor of the sauce, pizza sauce tends to be tangy in order to complement the cheese and meat toppings on the pizza.
Pizza sauce is usually raw, i.e., it is not cooked before adding to the pizza. The raw sauce is spread in a thin layer on top of the pizza dough and cooked with the dough and toppings, combining all flavors together.
What is Pasta Sauce
Pasta sauce is the sauce we make to accompany a pasta dish. There are many different types of pasta sauces, including tomato sauces, meat sauces, cheese sauces, and cream or butter-based sauces. We can purchase these sauces ready-made at grocery stores or easily make them at home. Tomato pasta sauce is a very common accompaniment for pasta dishes, and it’s often similar to pizza sauce. Many people assume that it’s the same as pizza sauce, but there is a difference between the two.
Home cooks usually use fresh tomatoes or a can of tomatoes as the base ingredient in pasta sauce. Some cooks use crushed tomatoes to increase the water content, which makes the sauce thinner. When the sauce is thin, it covers the pasta thoroughly, providing flavor with each bite. Pasta sauces include ingredients like salt, pepper, garlic, onions, dried oregano, herbs like basil leaves, and sometimes even meat. The seasonings usually depend on the cook’s preference and recipe. These ingredients (tomatoes and the seasonings) are added together and brought to a simmer until the sauce thickens. Moreover, pasta sauces can even contain chunks of tomatoes, which will add a better texture and flavor to the dish.
Difference Between Pizza Sauce and Pasta Sauce
Definition
Pizza sauce is the tomato-based sauce poured on pizza dough before adding the topping, while pasta sauce is the sauce we make to accompany a pasta dish.
Consistency
Pizza sauce has a thicker and smoother consistency than pasta sauce. The thicker consistency prevents the pizza dough from becoming soggy, whereas the thinner consistency of the pasta sauce covers pasta noodles thoroughly.
Cooking
Moreover, pizza sauce is raw; it’s placed on the pizza dough and cooked simultaneously with the dough and the toppings. Pasta sauce, on the other hand, is cooked prior.
Tomato Chunks
Pizza sauce is smooth, and you cannot find tomato chunks in it, but pasta sauce is not very smooth, and you can find tomato chunks in it.
Ingredients
Generally, pasta sauce has more ingredients like pizza sauce.
Conclusion
The main difference between pizza sauce and pasta sauce is their preparation. Pizza sauce is not much cooked and has a thicker and smoother consistency, while pasta sauce is cooked and has a thinner consistency.
Reference:
1. “Pasta Sauce.” RecipeTips.com.
2. “Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce.” Allrecipes.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Pasta-penne-comida” (CC0) via Pixabay
2. “Italian Pizza” (Public Domain) Public Domain Pictures
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