Can I Use Spaghetti/Pasta Sauce as Pizza Sauce?

Are you thinking about making a yummy homemade pizza but only having pasta sauce and not pizza sauce? Most people think they’re the same thing and can be used interchangeably. While this isn’t entirely true, they are quite similar and can be used for pizza – with some adjustments.

Pasta sauce/spaghetti sauce can be used as pizza sauce. However, you’ll need to make a few adjustments because it’s thinner and chunkier. Start by straining the pasta sauce. Then, blend the chunks. Lastly, simmer until it thickens up. Add more seasonings if desired.

Hello! My name’s Michelle, and in case this is your first time on this blog, I’ll tell you one fact about myself – I’m somewhat obsessed with pizza. And as much as I love ordering pizza for Friday pizza night, there is something unbeatably fun about making your own.

I’ve found myself without any pizza sauce plenty of times. Yet, I always seem to have spaghetti sauce – well, this is unsurprising, considering my daughter is fanatical about spaghetti! The good news is that I’ve discovered how to use pasta sauce on homemade pizzas, and I’m here to share how.

Let’s make some homemade pizzas!

Can I Use Spaghetti/Pasta Sauce as Pizza Sauce?

Spaghetti/pasta sauce can be used as pizza sauce.

That’s because these two ingredients are relatively the same thing – i.e., they both use the same base ingredients like tomato and seasonings.

However, pasta sauce is different because it can have additional ingredients, such as onions and ground beef. It is also noticeably thinner, yet chunkier, than pizza sauce. This is because pasta sauce is meant to coat noodles rather than be slathered on top of the dough.

The good news is that you can use pasta sauce for your homemade pizza – you’ll just have to be crafty about it.

How to Use Spaghetti/Pasta Sauce as Pizza Sauce

You can use spaghetti/pasta sauce for your homemade pizzas. However, you’ll need to make some adjustments. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a soggy pizza as the sauce is far too thin. 

Here’s how to do it (it’s easy, believe me!):

1. Strain the Pasta Sauce

Most pasta sauces/spaghetti sauces have chunky ingredients, such as tomatoes and ground beef. 

That said, your first step is to strain your pasta sauce.

You want to separate the chunkier, thicker ingredients from the water content. Remember – excess moisture will leave you with a soggy crust, and nobody wants to eat a soggy slice of pizza!

An ultra-fine strainer is ideal for these situations, as you don’t want all of the pasta sauce to go flying through the sieve. We want to hold onto the good stuff!

2. Run Through a Food Processor (or Blender)

Yes, chunky pasta sauce is delectable when used in your favorite pasta dishes. But for pizza? Eh, not so much.

With that in mind, the next step is to run your strained pasta sauce through a food processor (or a top-notch blender).

Don’t think you need to purchase a super expensive high-powered food processor to complete tasks such as these. This Hamilton Beach food processor is a top-notch option, and it’s under $30. You can’t beat that! (Oh, and it’s so easy to use.)

3. Simmer Until Thickened

The final step is to heat a saucepan over medium-high heat. 

Add your strained and blended pasta sauce to the saucepan. Allow it to simmer over medium heat until it begins to thicken. This shouldn’t take an exorbitant amount of time. Five to ten minutes should do the trick.

Optional: During this time, consider adding more seasonings to the mix. I like to tack on some extra sugar, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, basil, oregano, and parsley. But you can add whatever ingredients you like to your pizza sauce.

4. Use the “DIY Pizza Sauce” As Usual

Now that your sauce is beautifully thickened up and seasoned perfectly, you can use it like any other type of pizza sauce.

Enjoy your pizza tonight – but make sure to stock up on some actual pizza sauce for next time.

FAQs

See how easy it is to transform your beloved pasta sauce into a delicious pizza sauce? It’s so simple and doesn’t even require any additional ingredients. Don’t head out just yet, though! Below are some frequently asked questions to help you learn more about this topic.

What can I use instead of tomato sauce on pizza?

Did you know that you don’t have to use pasta sauce, pizza sauce, or any other kind of tomato sauce on homemade pizza? There are several other yummy options, including alfredo, pesto, barbecue, buffalo, hummus, or simply olive oil. While some of these are out of the box, they all come with rave reviews.

What’s the main difference between pizza sauce and spaghetti sauce?

The most significant difference between pizza sauce and spaghetti sauce is that pasta sauce is cooked, while pizza sauce is uncooked. Pasta sauce is thinner and chunkier than pizza sauce, which is smoother and thicker. Both share the same “base” of tomatoes and seasonings.

Can you use regular Ragu as pizza sauce?

You can use Ragu as pizza sauce. However, unless you like your pizza sauce to be on the chunky side, I recommend following the steps above. By straining, blending, and simmering, you’ll be able to make a thicker and more desirable sauce for your pizza dough.

Pasta Sauce Can Be Used as Pizza Sauce!

The next time you want to make a homemade pizza but only have spaghetti sauce on hand, don’t worry – you can successfully use it. You don’t necessarily “need” to make any adjustments, although you’ll be left with a chunkier sauce and soggier crust. To avoid this situation, strain the pasta sauce, blend it, and simmer it until it’s thickened up.

Have you ever used pasta sauce on your pizza? Did you use my technique, or did you do something else entirely? Share in the comment section!

About Michelle
I have been a lover of sweets since day one. This led me on a self-taught baking journey starting at the age of 13. It's been over 10 years since the start of my baking adventures, and I’ve learned a lot along the way. Now, people rave about my delectable treats, whether it’s a chocolate cake or a strawberry crepe.

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