Pizzaiolo Sauce Recipe
Pizza night is a universal crowd-pleaser, but have you ever felt like your pies were missing that specific something? The secret might lie in the sauce! Forget the store-bought stuff – today, we’re diving into the world of pizzaiolo sauce, a recipe that will take your homemade pizzas to the next level.
What Is Pizzaiolo Sauce?
Pizzaiola sauce refers to a general sauce inspired by pizza toppings. This sauce is typically tomato-based and includes ingredients commonly found on pizza, like peppers, onions, and sometimes even sausage.
Ingredients:
Base:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Tomatoes:
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
Or
- 1 pound fresh tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped (optional)
Herbs And Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional Additions:
- 1 cup dry white wine (for a richer flavor)
- 1 bay leaf
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- Chopped bell peppers (red, yellow, or green) for a touch of sweetness (about ½ cup)
Instructions:
- Sauté the base: In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, warm the olive oil on medium heat. Add the chopped onion and simmer for about 5 minutes or until it is soft and transparent. Add the chopped garlic and simmer, stirring, for a further minute or until fragrant.
- Deglaze with wine (optional): If using white wine, pour it into the pan and simmer for 4-5 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. This deglazing step adds depth of flavor. Let the wine reduce by half.
- Add tomatoes and herbs: Stir in the crushed tomatoes (or chopped fresh tomatoes) along with the dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes (if using), and bay leaf (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Simmer and thicken: After heating the sauce to a simmer, lower the heat and boil it for 20 to 30 minutes or until it begins to gradually thicken. Simmer for a little while more, remove the bay leaf (if using), and mash some of the tomatoes with a fork if the sauce appears too thin.
- Adjust and finish: As the sauce has thickened, turn off the heat and throw away the bay leaf if using one. As necessary, taste and adjust the seasonings. If desired, you can counteract the acidity by adding a small amount of sugar.
- Serve: Stir in chopped fresh parsley (optional) and use your pizzaiola sauce immediately on your pizzas.
Tips:
- Fresh vs. Canned Tomatoes: While canned crushed tomatoes are convenient, using fresh, ripe tomatoes will give your sauce a fresher, brighter flavor. If fresh tomatoes are used, peel them by scoring an X on the bottom, dipping them in boiling water for 30 seconds, and then submerging them in cold water. The skins should slip off easily.
- Customize the Spice: Depending on how hot you want your food, adjust the amount of red pepper flakes.
- Simmering Time: The simmering time can vary depending on the desired thickness of your sauce. If you want a thicker sauce, cook it for a more extended period.
- Leftovers: Pizzaiola sauce can be stored. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to three days. Warm up again gently over low heat before using.
- Leftover Sauce Inspiration: This sauce can be used for more than just pizza! It’s delicious served over pasta, vegetables, or even as a dipping sauce for bread.
What To Serve With
Pizza: This sauce is traditionally used as the base for pizzas. Spread it over pizza dough and add your favorite toppings, such as mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, mushrooms, and bell peppers. Bake till the crust turns golden, and the cheese is bubbly for a classic pizza experience.
Pasta: Use pizzaiolo sauce as a pasta sauce for a quick and flavorful meal. Add it to cooked pasta, like spaghetti, penne, or fusilli. Add cooked Italian sausage, sautéed mushrooms, or fresh basil to enhance the flavors.
Chicken Or Veal Parmesan: Pizzaiolo sauce complements breaded and fried chicken or veal cutlets. Once the cutlets are fried, cover them with mozzarella cheese and pizzaiolo sauce, and bake them until the cheese is bubbling and melted. Serve with a serving of vegetables or pasta.
Meatballs: Simmer meatballs in pizzaiolo sauce for a savory twist on classic Italian meatballs. The sauce infuses the meatballs with rich tomato flavor, making them incredibly tasty. Serve with spaghetti or as a stuffing for a hearty sandwich.
Eggplant Parmesan: Layer fried or baked eggplant slices with pizzaiolo sauce and mozzarella cheese for a delicious vegetarian dish. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and serve with a side of pasta or a fresh green salad.
Grilled Vegetables: Use pizzaiolo sauce topping for grilled vegetables such as zucchini, bell peppers, and onions. It adds a tangy and savory flavor that perfectly complements the grilled vegetables’ smokiness.
Baked Fish: Spread pizzaiolo sauce over fish fillets before baking them in the oven. The sauce adds moisture and flavor to the fish, creating a delightful seafood dish that pairs well with rice or roasted potatoes.
Sandwiches: Use pizzaiolo sauce as a condiment for sandwiches. Spread it on bread before adding layers of sliced meats, cheese, and vegetables for a delicious Italian-inspired sandwich.
Stuffed Peppers: Fill bell peppers with cooked rice, ground meat, and pizzaiolo sauce before baking until the peppers are tender. For a comforting and flavorful meal, top with cheese during the last few minutes of baking.
Soup: Add pizzaiolo sauce to vegetable soups or minestrone for an extra burst of tomato flavor and richness. Adding cream or stock can also be used as a base for a hearty tomato soup to achieve the desired consistency.
Health Benefits
Rich In Vitamins And Minerals:
- Tomatoes: The main ingredient in pizzaiolo sauce, tomatoes, are rich in vitamins C, K, and A. They also contain minerals such as potassium and folate, essential for overall health.
- Garlic: Garlic is another critical sauce component known for its health-promoting properties. It contains vitamins C and B6, manganese, selenium, and other antioxidants that support immune function and heart health.
Antioxidant Properties:
- Both tomatoes and garlic contain antioxidants, such as lycopene in tomatoes and allicin in garlic. These compounds help combat oxidative stress in the body, which is linked to various chronic diseases, including heart disease and certain cancers.
Anti-inflammatory Benefits:
- The herbs used in pizzaiolo sauce, such as oregano, basil, and thyme, are known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Chronic inflammation contributes to many diseases, so including these herbs can help reduce inflammation.
Heart Health:
- Potassium, which is found in tomatoes, helps control blood pressure. and maintain heart health. The antioxidants in tomatoes and garlic contribute to cardiovascular protection by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.
Digestive Health:
- Garlic has prebiotic properties, which means it can help promote the growth of beneficial Overall health and digestive health depend on a healthy gut microbiota.
Low In Calories:
- The sauce, when prepared without excessive amounts of added fats or sugars, is relatively low in calories. Because of this, it might be a good complement to a balanced diet, especially for people who are limiting their calorie intake.
Versatile And Nutrient-Dense:
- It can be used in various dishes beyond just pizzas, such as pasta and chicken dishes, or as a dip. This versatility allows you to incorporate its health benefits into different meals.
Promotes Vegetable Consumption:
- Pizzaiolo sauce encourages consuming vegetables (tomatoes) and herbs, essential components of a healthy diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Final Thoughts
pizzaiolo sauce is a testament to the rich culinary heritage of Italian cuisine. Its robust tomato base infused with garlic, herbs, and spices provides a versatile canvas for countless dishes beyond its traditional role on pizzas. From enriching pasta dishes to complementing meats like chicken or veal Parmesan, this sauce adds depth and flavor to every meal it graces.
More Sauce Recipes:
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