Best Pizza Sauce: 9 Jarred and Canned Sauces Worth Buying
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A good jarred pizza sauce saves time without sacrificing flavor, as long as you pick the right one. The best are thick enough to spread without soaking the dough and taste of tomatoes rather than sugar. Here are the best pizza sauces you can buy, from Italian brands to New York pizzeria classics.
- Mutti Pizza Sauce with Basil & Oregano (6-Pack) – best jarred pizza sauce overall
- Rao’s Homemade Pizza Sauce – best premium pizza sauce
- Rao’s Homemade Margherita Pizza Sauce – best for Margherita pizza
- Carbone Pizza Sauce (2-Pack) – best restaurant-brand sauce
- Cento Pizza Sauce with Basil & Garlic (6-Pack) – best value Italian-style sauce
- Bianco DiNapoli Organic New York Style Pizza Sauce – best New York-style sauce
- Don Pepino Pizza Sauce (6-Pack) – best classic American pizzeria sauce
- Botticelli Premium Pizza Sauce – best low-sugar pizza sauce
- 365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Pizza Sauce – best budget organic sauce
The Best Pizza Sauces
1. Mutti Pizza Sauce with Basil & Oregano (6-Pack) – best jarred pizza sauce overall
Mutti is Italy’s best-known tomato brand, and its pizza sauce is 100% Italian tomatoes with basil and oregano. It’s thick enough to spread without making the dough soggy.
It has no additives or preservatives, is Non-GMO Project Verified, and comes in BPA-free cans.
Key specs:
- Ingredients: Italian tomatoes, basil, oregano
- 14 oz cans, 6-pack
- Vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO
PROS:
- Bright, fresh tomato flavor
- Thick, spreadable texture
- Clean ingredients
CONS:
- Pricier per can than store brands
2. Rao’s Homemade Pizza Sauce – best premium pizza sauce
Rao’s is a premium sauce brand known for slow-simmered Italian tomatoes. Its pizza sauce is all natural, with no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.
Key specs:
- 13 oz jars, 2-pack
- All natural
PROS:
- Rich, slow-cooked flavor
- Clean label
- Widely loved brand
CONS:
- Expensive
- Some Rao’s pizza sauces go in and out of stock
3. Rao’s Homemade Margherita Pizza Sauce – best for Margherita pizza
Rao’s Margherita sauce uses slow-simmered Southern Italian tomatoes and herbs, with no added sugar, artificial colors, high fructose corn syrup or MSG.
Key specs:
- 12.3 oz jar
- No added sugar
PROS:
- No added sugar
- Classic Italian flavor
CONS:
- Limited stock
4. Carbone Pizza Sauce (2-Pack) – best restaurant-brand sauce
From the team behind New York’s Carbone restaurant, this sauce is slow-cooked in small batches with simple ingredients. It’s vegan, non-GMO and gluten-free, and comes with a recipe card.
Key specs:
- 14 oz jars, 2-pack
- Vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free
PROS:
- Restaurant-quality flavor
- Simple ingredients
CONS:
- Premium price
5. Cento Pizza Sauce with Basil & Garlic (6-Pack) – best value Italian-style sauce
Cento’s fully prepared sauce blends vine-ripened tomatoes with fresh basil, olive oil and garlic. It’s ready to spread straight from the can, with no cooking or seasoning needed.
Key specs:
- 15 oz cans, 6-pack
- Non-GMO, gluten-free, BPA-free can
PROS:
- Ready to use
- Good price per can
- Balanced flavor
CONS:
- Garlicky, which some may not want
6. Bianco DiNapoli Organic New York Style Pizza Sauce – best New York-style sauce
From pizzaiolo Chris Bianco’s tomato company, this organic sauce is built for New York-style pies.
Key specs:
- 15 oz
- Organic
PROS:
- Organic
- Made for NY-style pizza
- Respected maker
CONS:
- Pricier than store brands
7. Don Pepino Pizza Sauce (6-Pack) – best classic American pizzeria sauce
Don Pepino is a long-time favorite New Jersey pizza sauce. It comes in a 6-pack of 15 oz cans and has a classic American pizzeria flavor.
Key specs:
- 15 oz cans, 6-pack
PROS:
- Classic pizzeria taste
- Great for bar-style and NY pizza
CONS:
- Stock can be limited
8. Botticelli Premium Pizza Sauce – best low-sugar pizza sauce
Botticelli’s sauce combines Italian tomato sauce with extra virgin olive oil, carrots, onions, sea salt, garlic and oregano, and is marketed as low carb and low sugar.
Key specs:
- 12.3 oz jar
- Low carb, low sugar
PROS:
- Keto-friendly
- Herby, savory flavor
CONS:
- Thinner than some sauces
9. 365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Pizza Sauce – best budget organic sauce
Whole Foods’ house-brand organic pizza sauce has no added sugar and costs a fraction of premium jars. It’s a solid everyday sauce.
Key specs:
- 14 oz
- Organic, no sugar added
PROS:
- Very cheap
- Organic
- No added sugar
CONS:
- Simpler flavor
How to Choose a Pizza Sauce
- For Neapolitan pizza: Choose a simple, bright sauce (Mutti, Rao’s Margherita), or crush San Marzano tomatoes yourself.
- For New York and bar pizza: A seasoned, slightly richer sauce (Don Pepino, Bianco DiNapoli NY, Cento) works best.
- Read the label: Tomatoes should be the first ingredient, with little or no added sugar.
Pair it with the right cheese. Our guide to what cheese goes on pizza covers mozzarella, provolone and more.
FAQ
What’s the difference between pizza sauce and marinara?
Pizza sauce is usually uncooked or lightly cooked and thicker, so it bakes on the pizza. Marinara is simmered longer, thinner and seasoned for pasta.
How much sauce goes on a 12-inch pizza?
About 1/3 to 1/2 cup. Too much makes the center soggy, especially in a hot pizza oven.
Can I use canned tomatoes instead of pizza sauce?
Yes. Crushed San Marzano tomatoes with a pinch of salt are the classic Neapolitan pizza sauce.
Our Pick
Mutti Pizza Sauce is the best all-rounder. Rao’s is worth it for a treat, and Don Pepino is the pick for classic pizzeria flavor.
