The heart of any delicious pizza lies in its sauce. A great pizza sauce starts with high-quality tomatoes, as they bring out the rich, tangy flavors that make every slice irresistible.
But finding fresh tomatoes year-round can be challenging. That’s where canned tomatoes come in. Canned tomatoes offer convenience and consistency, providing the perfect base for your sauce regardless of the season.
Canned tomatoes are preserved at their peak ripeness, ensuring they retain their flavor and nutrients. This makes them an excellent choice for creating a robust and flavorful pizza sauce.
Knowing which canned tomatoes to use can elevate your pizza game to new heights, whether you’re a seasoned home cook or a pizza enthusiast.
In this guide, we’ll help you navigate the world of canned tomatoes. We’ll highlight the best options for making delicious pizza sauce, ensuring you have all the information you need to create a sauce that will impress your family and friends.
Get ready to discover the best canned tomatoes for your next pizza night!
1. San Marzano Tomatoes: The Gold Standard
San Marzano tomatoes are often considered the pinnacle of quality for pizza sauce. Grown in the rich volcanic soil near Mount Vesuvius in Italy.
These tomatoes are renowned for their exceptional flavor and texture. The unique combination of soil, climate, and traditional farming methods gives San Marzano tomatoes their distinctive taste.
What sets them apart is their Denominazione d’Origine Protetta (DOP) certification, which guarantees their authenticity and quality.
Top Brands
When it comes to San Marzano tomatoes, a few brands stand out for their commitment to quality and flavor:
- Cento San Marzano Peeled Tomatoes: Cento is a trusted name in canned tomatoes. Their San Marzano tomatoes are prized for their balanced flavor and perfect texture.
- Rega Whole Peeled San Marzano Tomatoes: Known for their robust flavor and rich color, Rega tomatoes are another excellent choice for making pizza sauce. They are DOP certified, ensuring they meet the highest standards of quality.
Why They’re Best for Pizza Sauce
San Marzano tomatoes are ideal for pizza sauce because of their unique characteristics:
- Balanced Sweetness and Acidity: These tomatoes have a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity, enhancing the sauce’s flavor without being overpowering. This balance helps cut through the richness of cheese and other toppings.
- Meaty Texture with Fewer Seeds: San Marzano tomatoes have a dense, meaty texture with fewer seeds, making them perfect for a smooth, rich sauce. The fleshiness of these tomatoes means you get more tomato and less water, resulting in a thicker, more flavorful sauce.
Here’s a quick comparison of the top brands:
| Brand | Certification | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Cento San Marzano Tomatoes | D.O.P. | Balanced flavor, perfect texture |
| Rega Whole Peeled Tomatoes | D.O.P. | Robust flavor, rich color, fewer seeds |
Using San Marzano tomatoes for your pizza sauce ensures you get a rich, flavorful, and authentic Italian sauce. They, indeed, are the gold standard for crafting the perfect pizza.
2. Bianco DiNapoli Organic Whole Peeled Tomatoes
Bianco DiNapoli Organic Whole Peeled Tomatoes are a standout choice for any pizza sauce enthusiast. These tomatoes are grown in California’s Central Valley, known for its ideal tomato-growing conditions.
The abundant sunshine and fertile soil contribute to these tomatoes’ rich flavor and vibrant color. What makes Bianco DiNapoli tomatoes particularly special is their commitment to using only natural ingredients, ensuring a pure and authentic tomato flavor.
Features
Several key features distinguish Bianco DiNapoli tomatoes:
- Bright Color and Rich Aroma: These tomatoes boast a beautiful red hue and a rich, inviting aroma that enhances any dish.
- Includes Basil for Enhanced Flavor: Each can of Bianco DiNapoli tomatoes contains fresh basil, which adds a subtle, fragrant note that complements the natural sweetness of the tomatoes.
Usage
These tomatoes are perfect for pizza sauce due to their natural sweetness and low acidity. This combination makes for a well-balanced sauce that doesn’t overwhelm the palate.
Bianco DiNapoli tomatoes provide a robust and flavorful base, whether making a classic Margherita or a more complex pizza.
Why They’re Ideal for Pizza Sauce:
- Natural Sweetness: The tomatoes have a mild sweetness that pairs beautifully with savory pizza toppings.
- Low Acidity: The low acidity ensures the sauce is smooth and not too tart, allowing the cheese flavors and other ingredients to shine through.
Incorporating Bianco DiNapoli Organic Whole Peeled Tomatoes into your pizza sauce enhances the flavor and adds a touch of authenticity and quality that will make your homemade pizza genuinely exceptional.
3. Roma Tomatoes: A Versatile Option
Roma tomatoes, also known as Italian plum tomatoes, are a hybrid variety developed by the USDA Agricultural Research Service in 1955.
These tomatoes were explicitly bred to combine the best traits of other tomato varieties, resulting in a versatile and robust option ideal for sauces.
Characteristics
Roma tomatoes are well-suited for pizza sauce due to their unique characteristics:
- Firm, Meaty Texture with Fewer Seeds: Roma tomatoes have a dense, fleshy texture and contain fewer seeds than many other tomato varieties. This makes them perfect for creating a smooth, rich sauce without the need for extensive straining.
- Lower Water Content: These tomatoes have a lower water content, which helps to achieve a thicker, more concentrated sauce. This is especially beneficial for pizza sauce, where a dense, robust base is essential.
Top Brand
One of the most trusted brands for Roma tomatoes is Contadina Whole Roma Tomatoes. This brand is known for delivering high-quality tomatoes that are perfect for making pizza sauce:
- Contadina Whole Roma Tomatoes: These tomatoes are seasoned to perfection with basil and contain no artificial flavors or additives. They maintain the natural taste and texture that makes Roma tomatoes a top choice for sauces.
Why They’re Ideal for Pizza Sauce:
- Versatile and Flavorful: Roma tomatoes provide a rich, full-bodied flavor that works well in a variety of pizza recipes.
- Thick, Smooth Sauce: Their low water content and meaty texture ensure that the sauce is thick and smooth, providing a perfect base for any pizza topping.
Using Roma tomatoes, especially from trusted brands like Contadina, guarantees a delicious and consistent pizza sauce every time. Their natural sweetness, balanced acidity, and thick texture make them a versatile option for all your pizza-making needs.
4. Mutti Polpa: Consistency and Quality
Mutti Polpa is renowned for its consistent quality and fresh taste, making it a favorite among chefs and home cooks alike.
Mutti tomatoes are grown in Italy, where the perfect combination of climate and soil conditions contributes to their exceptional flavor.
The brand prides itself on maintaining high standards and ensuring that everyone can deliver the same fresh, tomatoey goodness.
Features
Mutti Polpa tomatoes stand out due to their unique features:
- Naturally Sweet: These tomatoes have a natural sweetness that enhances the flavor of any sauce. The sweetness is well-balanced with a subtle acidity, making them perfect for creating a rich and flavorful pizza sauce.
- Perfect for Various Sauces: While ideal for pizza sauce, Mutti Polpa tomatoes are also versatile enough to be used in a variety of other sauces, from pasta to stews.
Usage
Mutti Polpa tomatoes are ideal for making pizza sauce due to their fresh and fragrant flavor. The tomatoes are finely chopped, ensuring a consistent texture and taste in every can.
This makes them incredibly easy to work with, whether you’re preparing a quick weeknight dinner or crafting a gourmet pizza.
Why They’re Ideal for Pizza Sauce:
- Fresh and Fragrant Flavor: The tomatoes retain their fresh taste and fragrance, which translates beautifully into a pizza sauce.
- Consistency: The finely chopped texture ensures a smooth and even sauce, perfect for spreading over pizza dough.
Incorporating Mutti Polpa into your pizza sauce guarantees a delicious result every time. The natural sweetness and balanced flavor profile of these tomatoes make them an excellent choice for creating a sauce that stands out.
Top Brands Comparison:
| Brand | Key Features | Ideal Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Mutti Polpa | Naturally sweet, fresh taste, finely chopped | Pizza sauce, pasta sauce, stews |
| Cento San Marzano Tomatoes | Balanced flavor, perfect texture | Pizza sauce, Italian dishes |
| Bianco DiNapoli | Bright color, rich aroma, includes basil | Pizza sauce, pasta sauce, versatile use |
| Contadina Whole Roma | Firm, meaty texture, seasoned with basil | Pizza sauce, thick sauces, versatile use |
Using Mutti Polpa tomatoes ensures your pizza sauce will have a fresh, authentic taste that enhances every bite of your homemade pizza. Their consistent quality and natural flavor make them a standout choice in the world of canned tomatoes.
5. La Valle Italian Peeled Tomatoes
La Valle Italian Peeled Tomatoes are cultivated in the mineral-rich soil surrounding Mount Vesuvius in Italy.
This unique geographical area provides the perfect growing conditions for these tomatoes, contributing to their exceptional flavor and texture.
The combination of the Mediterranean climate and the volcanic soil imparts a distinct sweetness and depth to these tomatoes, making them ideal for pizza sauce.
La Valle tomatoes are highly regarded for their superior qualities:
- High Flesh-to-Seed Ratio: These tomatoes have a high flesh-to-seed ratio, meaning you get more of the delicious, meaty part of the tomato and fewer seeds. This makes for a thicker, more decadent sauce.
- Sweeter Flavor: The naturally sweeter flavor of La Valle tomatoes enhances the taste of your pizza sauce, providing a well-balanced profile without the need for added sugars.
- Low Water Content: With a lower water content, La Valle tomatoes ensure that your sauce has the perfect consistency. This characteristic is essential for pizza sauce, as it prevents the crust from becoming soggy and helps the sauce to cling better to the dough.
Top Brand
La Valle Organic Tomatoes is a top choice for those looking to make an authentic and flavorful pizza sauce. Known for their consistent quality and superior taste, La Valle tomatoes are a staple in many kitchens:
- La Valle Organic Tomatoes: These tomatoes are organically grown and processed, ensuring that you get the purest and most natural product possible. Their rich flavor and perfect texture make them a favorite among pizza makers.
Why They’re Ideal for Pizza Sauce:
- Consistency and Quality: La Valle tomatoes deliver a consistent quality that ensures your pizza sauce will have the same great taste and texture every time.
- Ideal Sauce Consistency: The low water content and high flesh-to-seed ratio mean that the sauce will be thick and hearty, perfect for spreading on your pizza dough.
Using La Valle Italian Peeled Tomatoes in your pizza sauce guarantees a rich, flavorful, and perfectly textured sauce. Their natural sweetness and low water content make them an excellent choice for anyone looking to create a high-quality, authentic pizza at home.
Honorable Mentions
Fontanella Italian Peeled Tomatoes
Fontanella Italian Peeled Tomatoes are renowned for their exceptional ripeness and lower acidity.
These tomatoes are consistently ripe, ensuring a robust and full-bodied flavor that is less acidic than many other varieties.
This makes them an excellent choice for those who prefer a milder, sweeter tomato sauce.
- Ripeness and Flavor: The ripeness of Fontanella tomatoes ensures a rich and flavorful sauce.
- Lower Acidity: Their lower acidity level makes for a smoother, more balanced sauce.
Super Italian Paste Tomatoes
Super Italian Paste Tomatoes are known for their thick, meaty flesh and lower seed count. While not as commonly found as other varieties, these tomatoes are prized for their excellent texture and intense flavor, making them a great option for pizza sauce.
- Thick, Meaty Flesh: These tomatoes have a dense and fleshy texture, perfect for creating a hearty sauce.
- Fewer Seeds: With fewer seeds, Super Italian Paste Tomatoes offer a smoother consistency that is ideal for pizza sauce.
Amish Paste Tomatoes
Amish Paste Tomatoes have a sweeter flavor and a texture similar to Roma tomatoes. Developed by the Amish over 150 years ago, these tomatoes are known for their excellent canning qualities and sweet, fresh flavor.
They are slightly larger than Roma tomatoes, making them a unique and flavorful choice for pizza sauce.
- Sweeter Flavor: Amish Paste Tomatoes have a natural sweetness that enhances the sauce without the need for additional sugar.
- Excellent Canning Quality: These tomatoes were developed explicitly for canning, ensuring a consistent and high-quality product for your sauce.
Comparison Table
| Tomato Variety | Key Features | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|
| Fontanella Italian Peeled | Consistent ripeness, lower acidity | Milder, balanced pizza sauce |
| Super Italian Paste | Thick, meaty flesh, fewer seeds | Hearty, smooth pizza sauce |
| Amish Paste | Sweeter flavor, excellent canning quality | Sweet, rich pizza sauce |
Each of these honorable mentions offers unique qualities that can enhance your pizza sauce. Whether you prefer a sweeter sauce or one with a hearty texture, these tomatoes provide excellent alternatives to the more commonly used varieties.
Tips for Making the Best Pizza Sauce
Choosing the Right Tomatoes
The foundation of any excellent pizza sauce is the quality and type of tomatoes you use. High-quality tomatoes like San Marzano, Roma, or Bianco DiNapoli provide a rich, balanced flavor essential for a delicious sauce.
Choosing the right tomatoes ensures that your sauce will have the perfect balance of sweetness, acidity, and texture.
Simple Ingredient List
To make the best pizza sauce, focus on using high-quality tomatoes and basic seasonings. Here’s a simple ingredient list to get you started:
- 15 oz. canned tomatoes (San Marzano, Roma, or Bianco DiNapoli)
- 4 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp dried basil
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp granulated sugar (optional, to taste)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Using a few quality ingredients allows the natural flavors of the tomatoes to shine through, creating a sauce that’s both simple and delicious.
Cooking Method
Follow these steps to make a delicious pizza sauce:
- Heat Olive Oil: Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Sauté Garlic: Add 1 tsp minced garlic and sauté for about 2 minutes until it’s soft and fragrant.
- Add Tomatoes and Seasonings: Add the canned tomatoes, 4 tbsp tomato paste, and all the herbs and seasonings to the pan. Stir to combine.
- Simmer: Once the sauce begins to bubble, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. This helps the flavors meld together and thickens the sauce slightly.
- Blend (Optional): For a smoother sauce, you can use an immersion blender to blend the sauce to your desired consistency.
Storage
Proper storage of your pizza sauce ensures it stays fresh and flavorful:
- Refrigerator: Store the sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Allow the sauce to cool completely before transferring it to the container.
- Freezer: For more extended storage, you can freeze the sauce. Please place it in a freezer-safe container, leaving some space at the top for expansion, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw the sauce in the refrigerator overnight before using it.
Tip: For the best results, allow the sauce to come to room temperature before spreading it on your pizza dough. This ensures even cooking and prevents the dough from becoming soggy.
Conclusion
Choosing the right canned tomatoes is crucial for making a delicious pizza sauce. The quality and type of tomatoes you use directly impact the flavor, texture, and overall success of your sauce.
San Marzano, Bianco DiNapoli, Roma, Mutti Polpa, and La Valle tomatoes are all excellent choices, each offering unique qualities that can elevate your pizza to new heights.
Experimenting with different brands and varieties allows you to find your favorite. Each type of tomato brings its flavor profile and texture, so don’t be afraid to try something new.
Whether you prefer the balanced sweetness of San Marzano, the natural taste of Bianco DiNapoli, or the versatility of Roma tomatoes, there’s a perfect tomato out there for every pizza lover.
We’d love to hear about your pizza sauce adventures! Share your favorite recipes and experiences in the comments below.
Have you discovered a brand or variety of tomatoes that transformed your pizza sauce? Let us know, and join the conversation. Happy cooking!
Jesmin Bithi, the co-founder of FoodBears.com, is a culinary maestro who brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the platform. Jesmin’s journey in the food world started in her home kitchen, experimenting with different recipes and flavors. Her passion for cooking soon transcended the boundaries of her kitchen, leading her to become a professional chef.