Deliciously Tomato-Free: Unveiling the Ultimate Pizza Sauces

The best pizza sauce without tomato

Pizza is a popular comfort food enjoyed by people all over the world. While tomato sauce is a common ingredient in traditional pizza recipes, there are many alternative sauces that can be used to create delicious pizzas without tomato. In this article, we will explore some of the best pizza sauces without tomatoes, along with easy recipes and tips on how to use them to enhance your pizza experience.

Pesto

Pesto is a classic option for those looking for a different, fresh-tasting sauce for their pizza. It is especially good with vegetarian pizzas with mozzarella cheese, as the flavors blend harmoniously. Basil pesto is the most popular choice for pizza, and while it is easy to buy in stores, making it at home gives a much fresher taste.
To make basil pesto, you will need the following ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh basil leaves
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/3 cup pine nuts or walnuts
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper

Instructions:

1. Place the basil and your choice of nuts in a food processor and pulse.
2. Add garlic and Parmesan cheese and pulse several times, scraping down the sides of the food processor.
3. With the food processor running, slowly add the olive oil, scraping the sides of the food processor several times.
4. Stir in salt and black pepper.

Once you have prepared the basil pesto, you can spread it on a prepared pizza base and top it with your favorite ingredients. Mozzarella, feta cheese, peppers, and olives are popular toppings for pesto pizzas. There are also alternative pesto varieties such as sun-dried tomato pesto, walnut pesto, pistachio pesto, and parsley and anchovy pesto that you can experiment with to find your favorite flavor.

Caramelized Onions

Using caramelized onions as a pizza sauce is a unique and flavorful alternative to tomato sauce or pesto. Caramelizing onions brings out their natural sweetness and creates a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Learning how to caramelize onions is a valuable kitchen skill and opens up new possibilities for pizza toppings.
To make caramelized onions, you will need the following ingredients:

• Dried butter
• Canola Oil
• Onion Oil
• Sea salt
• White Balsamic Vinegar

Instructions:

1. Slice or dice the onions.
2. Heat the oil and butter in a frying pan and add the onion slices. Use about 1 teaspoon of oil and butter mixture per onion.
3. Spread the onions in the pan and make sure they are evenly coated with oil.
4. Reduce heat to medium-low to prevent burning.
5. Let the onions simmer for ten minutes, then add salt.
6. Continue to cook the onions for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. The onions should be brown but not sticky. Add more oil and butter if needed.
7. Cook the onions until they have a rich brown color. You can add a dash of white balsamic vinegar to deglaze the pan and enhance the flavor.

Caramelized onions add moisture and delicious flavor to pizza. They pair well with a variety of toppings and can be used as a sauce alternative to create unique and delicious combinations.

Béchamel or Alfredo Sauce

For a simple yet delicious pizza sauce, béchamel or white sauce is an excellent choice. Béchamel sauce is a versatile base that can be used to create more complex sauces or added to a variety of dishes, such as lasagna. Making béchamel sauce is a valuable skill for any home cook.
To make béchamel sauce, you will need the following ingredients:

• Bread Flour
• Cold Butter
• Dairy Milk
• Cheese (optional)
• Salt, pepper, and other seasonings

Instructions:

1. Make a roux by combining flour and butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Gradually add the milk to the roux, whisking continuously.
3. Cook the sauce until it reaches the desired consistency.
4. Optional: Add cheese, salt, pepper, and other seasonings to enhance the flavor.

Alfredo sauce is another popular option that provides a creamy and flavorful alternative to tomato sauce, especially when combined with ingredients such as chicken, bacon, spinach or cream cheese. It can be used as a pizza sauce to create a rich and indulgent flavor profile.

 

FAQS

What can I use as a tomato-free pizza sauce?

There are several delicious alternatives to tomato sauce for pizza. Some popular options include pesto, caramelised onions, béchamel or Alfredo sauce, hummus, ranch dressing and garlic olive oil.

Can I buy tomato-free pizza sauce in shops?

Yes, you can often find tomato-free pizza sauce options in speciality stores or online. However, making your own sauce allows for customisation and ensures the freshest flavours.

Are tomato-free pizza sauces suitable for certain dietary restrictions?

Yes, tomato-free pizza sauces can be suitable for a variety of dietary restrictions, including low-carb and keto diets, avoidance of nightshade vegetables and tomato allergies. Just be sure to check the ingredients of store-bought sauces for potential allergens.

What pizza toppings work well with tomato-free sauces?

Tomato-free pizza sauces work well with a variety of toppings. For pesto-based sauces, popular toppings include mozzarella, feta cheese, peppers and olives. Caramelised onions work well with ingredients such as mushrooms, spinach and goat cheese. Béchamel or Alfredo sauces complement toppings such as chicken, bacon and cream cheese.

Can I use tomato-free pizza sauce on gluten-free or cauliflower crust?

Absolutely you can! Tomato-free pizza sauces can easily be used on gluten-free or cauliflower crusts. These sauces provide a flavourful alternative that works well with a variety of crust options.

Can I refrigerate or freeze tomato-free pizza sauce?

Yes, tomato-free pizza sauces can be refrigerated or frozen for future use. Store them in airtight containers and make sure they are properly labelled with the date. Refrigerated sauce should be used within a week, while frozen sauce can be stored for up to three months.