Along with the dough base, the next important ingredient in any pizza is the sauce. In my pizza meals, I usually offer two different types of pizza sauces. A traditional tomato pizza sauce, and an olive oil pizza sauce. However, there are far more than that.
The best part is, it is super easy to create your own homemade pizza sauces. Why not try a number of different types of pizza sauces when you are next making pizza with the family?
I mean there is nothing wrong buying pre-made sauce, such as the ones pictured below, however there’s some sense of accomplishment when you can say you made the dough AND the pizza sauce!
Just combining some of the recipes I have linked to, below, should give you a lengthy list of different types of pizza sauces to make and try in the future.
This guide will definitely keep you busy for many pizza parties!

Tomato pizza sauces
The most common of all the different types of pizza sauces, is the red sauce, also known as Pizza Rosa. This red sauce invariably contains tomato at some percentage.
The absolute simplest non-cook method to make a homemade tomato pizza sauce, is to use a couple of cans of tomato paste, add some crushed garlic and dried Italian herbs to taste. You can whip that up in five minutes flat.
However, there is a smorgasbord of various tomato pizza sauce recipes out there that you should try, depending on how adventurous you are.
Tomato pizza sauce recipes
Here are a few handpicked tomato pizza sauce recipes I believe you could try your hand at.
- Canned Tomato Sauce by Kitchen Treaty
- Classic Pizza Sauce by Ooni
- Fresh Tomato Marinara Sauce by Former Chef
- Five Minute Tomato Sauce by 101 Cookbooks
- New York Style Pizza Sauce by Serious Eats
- Thick & Rich Tomato Pizza Sauce by Budget Bytes

White pizza sauces
As we know, not all pizzas are Pizza Rossa (red sauce) pizzas. Some are Pizza Bianca, which means white pizza. There are people who believe that the first ever pizzas to come out of Naples were actually using white pizza sauces.
Did you know that since tomatoes are often the primary cause of heartburn or acid reflux, that white pizza sauce is perfect for people that suffer heartburn after eating pizza.
White pizza sauce recipes
Here are a few white pizza sauce recipes I believe you should attempt.
- Creamy Garlic White Pizza Sauce by Lifestyle of a Foodie
- Parmesan White Pizza Sauce by Betty Crocker
- Vegan White Pizza Sauce by Plant Based Jess
- White Pizza Sauce by Macheesmo
- White Pizza Sauce (Quick + Easy) by Natasha’s Kitchen
Barbecue pizza sauces
A more modern approach to saucing pizza is the introduction of BBQ sauces. When I say modern, I mean the 1920’s, when BBQ pizza sauce was attributed to a Memphis restaurant called Coletta’s, at 1063 South Parkway East. I personally am not a fan, however some people swear by the unique taste that BBQ pizza sauces offer.
BBQ pizza sauce recipes
Here are a few selected BBQ pizza sauce recipes that you may wish to try your hand at creating.
- Barbecue Pizza Sauce by Certified Piedmontese
- Cherry BBQ Sauce by Seeded at the Table
- Homemade BBQ Sauce by Gimme Some Oven

Olive oil pizza sauces
One of my favorites among the different types of pizza sauces, is olive oil. This can be used as a sauce on its own, or what I like to do is add a few cloves of garlic to 200-300ml of olive oil and stir well.
Olive oil pizza sauce recipes
Here are a few handpicked olive oil pizza sauce recipes I believe you could try your hand at.
- Basic White Pizza Sauce by The Woodfired Enthusiast
- Garlic Olive Oil White Pizza Sauce by NellieBellie
Special pizza sauces
There are also a number of other different types of pizza sauces, typically for specific purposes, such as dessert pizzas and the like.
Special pizza sauce recipes
Feeling more adventurous? Here are some special pizza sauce recipes I feel you could master fairly easily.
- Hummus Pizza Sauce by All Recipes
- Mashed Potato Pizza by Macheesmo
- Pesto Sauce by Two Peas and Their Pod
- Spicy Chipotle Sauce by Savory Reviews
- Tomato Bacon Jam by Meredith Steele
- Yellow Tomato Sauce by Port and Fin
In Conclusion
We all like to try different pizza toppings – why not try different types of pizza sauces as well? There are plenty of options to choose from, and perfect.
No two pizzas will ever be the same again, if you start using a variety of different types of pizza sauces with each pizza making session. Have fun!