By Brian Hernandez
Pizza isn’t just about crust thickness or topping combos—it’s about the sauce pulling everything together. Every pizza style has its own vibe, and the sauce is the supporting actor that makes the lead shine.
Bold, cheesy pies with hefty crusts? They need the muscle of a cooked sauce to balance the weight. Minimalist masterpieces with delicate cheeses and fresh veggies? A raw sauce keeps things light and lets the ingredients do the talking.
The secret to pizza greatness? Finding the sauce that plays to your pie’s strengths, like a culinary Avengers assembling for the perfect slice—with less CGI.
“The key to any sauce is the balance in the flavors of the product,” said Chef Vitangelo Recchia, owner of Bella Napoli Pizzeria & Restaurant in Port Charlotte, Florida. “Let the tomatoes speak for themselves. It’s what’s going to get you the most flavorful product.”
Pizza Styles That Benefit from Cooked Sauce
Detroit-Style: With its thick, airy crust and signature crispy edges, Detroit-style pizza often calls for a hearty, cooked sauce spread over the top after baking. The richness complements the caramelized cheese and dough for a balanced bite.
Chicago Deep-Dish: Deep-dish pizza layers cheese and toppings within a pie-like crust, and a cooked sauce serves as the crowning layer. The thicker, more robust sauce prevents it from being overpowered by the dish’s sheer density.
Sicilian Pizza: The spongy, focaccia-like base of Sicilian pizza pairs beautifully with a robust cooked sauce, which seeps into the dough and enhances its flavor without making it soggy.
Calzones and Strombolis: While not pizzas in the strictest sense, these folded delights benefit from a cooked sauce served on the side. The sauce’s richness contrasts with the crispy, baked dough for dipping perfection.
Pizza Styles That Shine with Raw Sauce
New York-Style: Known for its foldable, large slices, some New York-style pizzas have been known to feature a cooked sauce to provide a rich, well-rounded flavor that stands up to bold toppings like pepperoni and sausage. However, most chefs will use a room-temp sauce from the line when building a pie.
Neapolitan Pizza: This iconic pizza style is built on simplicity and freshness. A raw tomato sauce, made from crushed San Marzano tomatoes, delivers a bright, tangy flavor that complements the soft, blistered crust and delicate toppings like fresh mozzarella and basil.
Margherita Pizza: The epitome of elegance, a Margherita pizza uses raw sauce to enhance the fresh flavors of high-quality ingredients like Genovese basil and creamy mozzarella di bufala.
Roman Pinsa: Known for its light and airy crust, Roman pinsa thrives with a fresh, raw sauce that won’t weigh it down. The focus here is on highlighting simple, clean ingredients.
Artisan Pizzas: Raw sauce is the go-to for pizzas featuring seasonal or unconventional toppings, as its unaltered tomato flavor lets the other ingredients shine without competing for attention.
Caprese-Inspired Pizzas: A fresh sauce mirrors the lightness of Caprese salad toppings, making it ideal for pizzas showcasing tomatoes, basil and fresh mozzarella.
The Great Divide: Sauce Stokers vs. The Tomato Truthers
Whatever name they answer to, most fans of a hearty cooked sauce believe in depth, richness and consistency. Their motto? “Simmer to the Summit of Flavor.” Fans of a naked sauce, meanwhile, swear by the vibrant, raw essence of uncooked sauce. Their rallying cry? “Keep It Raw, Keep It Real.”
Pizza forums are teeming with passionate arguments for both sides. Hotheads argue that cooked sauce melds better with cheese and toppings, while Freshies counter that raw sauce preserves the natural sweetness of fresh tomatoes. The choice often comes down to pizza style and personal preference.
“Simmering sauces are more for your pastas, your lasagnas, your sauteed dishes,” Recchia said. Simmering a sauce, he said, “gives it time…to reduce the waters to concentrate the flavors. Raw tomato sauces are ideal for pizza because that lets the temperature of the oven cook the tomato product.”
The Wide World of Tomatoes
Recchia notes that region plays an important role, too. “Honestly, it comes down to what part of the world the tomato comes from,” he said. “If you get San Marzano tomatoes, you’re going to have the salinity from the soil of Mt. Vesuvius and the Naples area. Did you get tomatoes from other parts of Italy? They won’t be as pear-shaped or as small as San Marzanos, but they’re going to be Italian. Pear or plum shapes could be more acidic, depending on where they come from and how much rain they absorb or lack of rain.”
And the U.S. is no slouch when it comes to growing excellent tomatoes for pizza applications, Recchia added. “California tomatoes are some of the best in the world,” he said. “They have it figured out—when to harvest them and how long they have to be on the vines.”
He said New Jersey and Florida produce good tomatoes as well, “but it all really depends on the balance of flavors they create” based on the amount of hydration they receive throughout the year.
From Good to Great: Sauce Tips That Shine
Crafting the perfect pizza sauce isn’t just about tossing tomatoes into a pot—it’s about balance, intention and avoiding common pitfalls. Here’s a quick guide to help you navigate the pros and cons of sauce preparation and master the art of saucing your pie:
Pros of Great Sauce Prep
Flavor Control: Tasting as you go lets you fine-tune seasoning and balance sweetness, salt, and acidity.
Ingredient Quality: Using high-quality tomatoes and EVOO creates a foundation of authentic, vibrant flavors.
Customization: Adjust seasoning to fit the role of your sauce—light for Neapolitan or hearty for deep-dish.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
DO NOT Overload Flavors: Too many herbs or garlic can overwhelm the sauce. Remember, balance is everything!
DO NOT Overcook: If you choose to cook your sauce, cooking too long can lead to bitterness and a loss of freshness. Keep it rich but not overdone.
DO NOT Ignore the Can: Always read the label—adding more salt or paste when it’s already there can ruin the balance.
Whether you’re aiming for slow-simmered depth or the crisp brightness of raw sauce, these tips will ensure your sauce is always on point and your pizza unforgettable.
Marketing the Sauce Decision: Making It Your Story
Whether you’re simmering for depth or going raw for freshness, your sauce is part of your brand’s identity. Cooked sauce? Market it as “slow-simmered perfection,” a labor of love that unlocks rich, layered flavors. Prefer raw sauce? Highlight its “farm-fresh” appeal, emphasizing its vibrant, natural taste.
The key is storytelling. Customers crave authenticity and connection, so make your sauce decision part of your pizzeria’s narrative.
At the end of the day, whether you’re simmering sauce or keeping it raw and fresh, the real magic lies in your passion and creativity. Sauce isn’t just an ingredient; it’s your pizza’s personality. So, pick your side, embrace your style, and remember: The sauce is only as good as the story you tell with it.
Brian Hernandez is PMQ’s associate editor and coordinator of the U.S. Pizza Team. To read part 1 of this series of stories on pizza sauces, click here. To read part 2, click here.
