If you are not a fan of tomatoes but are still a big fan of pizza, why not try out this pizza recipe made with a tomato-less sauce? If you or someone you know needs or wants to avoid nightshades, this recipe makes an excellent option for that reason, as well. Various other vegetables can create a great-tasting pizza sauce, such as carrots, red peppers (if not avoiding nightshades), onions, or even beets!
What Can I Use Instead of Tomato Base on Pizza?
Here are five alternatives to pizza sauce that will still make your pizza taste great.
- Basil pesto – Basil pesto is a great place to start when trying tomato sauce alternatives for the first time. The ingredients in basil pesto, like fresh basil, garlic, and pine nuts, will taste great with a wide array of pizza toppings. However, some of the best toppings for basil pesto sauce are grilled vegetables, which pair well together.
- Bechamel – This is a sauce frequently used in many Italian dishes, so it makes sense why it works well as a pizza sauce alternative. Bechamel is also known as white sauce, and its ingredients often include flour, butter, milk, and some seasonings such as garlic, lemon juice or zest, pepper, or red pepper flakes.
- BBQ sauce – If you yearn for a nice smoky flavor, this is the best way to go for a pizza sauce alternative! The best ingredients to include in a homemade barbecue sauce are tomato, vinegar, brown sugar, and dried mustard.
- Fig jam – Figs can be found as an option for pizzas with tomato sauce, so why not try the alternative of using it for the sauce instead? A great ingredient to include on a pizza with fig jam is fresh arugula, as its pepperiness pairs well with the sweetness of the jam. Sweet and savory go so well together.
- Curry – Have you ever considered taking an Indian twist on a pizza? This sauce gives you the perfect excuse to do so! You can even try using Naan bread for the pizza crust instead to make it even more Indian cuisine-based!
What Did Italians Use for Pizza Before Tomatoes?
In the early to mid-1500s, the base was usually a flatbread made from wheat flour, and toppings would involve garlic, lard, and coarse salt. Entering the 1600s, olive oil often replaced lard, cheese was added on top, and some fresh herbs, especially basil. Once into the 1600s, tomatoes were brought from the Americas and used to create a different flavor. At first, it was just used for sauces to put over the top of pasta and other Italian dishes, but then someone came up with the brilliant idea to try it on pizza. Mozzarella on top of pizza became common in the 1800s.
What Is Plant-Based Pizza Made Of?
Those following a plant-based lifestyle often do not need to worry about locating a vegan-specific pizza crust, as pizza crusts usually do not contain eggs or dairy products. However, to be safe, check the ingredients list if you are purchasing a pizza crust from the grocery store instead of making your own. A plant-based pizza will use vegan cheese instead of regular cheese, made of nuts, soy protein, nutritional yeast, oils, pea protein, or tapioca flour.
Is Plant-Based Pizza Healthier?
There are multiple reasons why a vegetarian or vegan pizza is healthier for you, including being nutrient-dense, no processed meats, and being lower in calories. Including vegetables on a pizza increases the amount of nutrients you consume within that meal, such as vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Spinach and bell peppers are great vegetable options to include on your pizza. Also, excluding processed meat from the pizza means you are omitting excess fat and sodium from your diet. Lastly, with processed meat being higher in fat, omitting it helps lower the amount of calories you consume daily.
What Is the Healthiest Pizza to Eat?
The healthiest type of pizza you can eat is one that has a thin crust or one that is made out of cauliflower. Loading up a pizza with lots of veggie toppings will also make the pizza a more nutritious choice.
Try some of our yummy and great gluten-free alternative recipes so you can still enjoy some favorite comforting classics!
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Gluten-Free Oat Flour Banana Pancakes
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Vegan Lentil Meatless Meatloaf - GF
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Grilled Southwest Zucchini Zoodles with Cilantro Pesto
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Lentil Mushroom Plant-Based Burger Patties
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Super Green White Bean Vegan Mac And Cheese
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We would love to hear how this recipe worked for you and any tasty spins you made to it in the comments below. Camille Knowles created this Gluten-Free Cauliflower Pizza recipe for her skin care site for alleviating eczema. Have some yummy plant-based recipes you would like to share? Please share some of your favorites on our ➡️Share A Recipe⬅️ page with the Assuaged community!
Resources
Links, Z. (2019, April 7). How is vegan pizza made? Food For Thought.
Manaker, L. (2023, July 4). Is pizza healthy? Here's what a dietitian wants you to know. Eating Well.
Montevergine, S. (2020, April 20). The incredible history of pizza. La Cucina Italiana.
N.d. (2022, March 15). Why a vegetarian pizza is a healthier choice. Sam's Pizza.
N.d. (N.d.). 8 pizza sauce alternatives you should try. Hearth and Fire Pizza.
