Pizza sauce doesn’t just make a pizza it makes an experience, creating flavors that can make or break a pie. This is especially true for a pie like chicken bacon ranch where flavors must come together perfectly. When it comes to which sauce to use LaRosa Pizza Sauce stands above the rest.
For over 60 years, LaRosa has been producing high-quality pizza sauce made with only the best ingredients available. They use vine-ripened California tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, onions and garlic, and a spice blend of their own creation. It’s this blend of ingredients that give you that smooth thick consistency without too much sweetness but with enough robust flavor.
In this article I’ll go in-depth on all things LaRosa, we’ll look at the history, ingredients, nutrition facts, and most importantly why it makes any pizza taste so good! I’ll also throw in some tips on how to get that restaurant quality taste right at home using LaRosa sauce.
A Brief History of LaRosa Pizza Sauce
LaRosa Pizza Sauce has its roots deep in the heart of Cincinnati Ohio. The first Pizzeria was opened by the LaRosas family called LaRosa’s Pizzeria Napoletana in 1954. Known for their New York-style thin crusts filled with high-quality toppings quickly gained them popularity.
As demand grew they soon realized they needed to produce their signature pizza sauce on a larger scale. In 1968 they opened up a saucing plant capable of pumping out 10k cases per day! This allowed them to expand into what is now over 60 locations across Ohio Kentucky and Indiana.
Today LaRosa Pizza Sauce can be found in grocery stores across the country while scaling production they never changed anything about their recipe still sticking true to vine-ripened tomatoes olive oil onions and garlic and a secret spice blend. This has won them blind taste tests year after year.
Nutrition Facts of LaRosa Pizza Sauce
Nutrient | Amount per 1/4 Cup |
|---|---|
Calories | 60 |
Total Fat | 1.5g |
Saturated Fat | 0g |
Trans Fat | 0g |
Cholesterol | 0mg |
Sodium | 230mg |
Total Carbohydrates | 11g |
Dietary Fiber | 2g |
Sugars | 7g |
Protein | 2g |
Comparison of LaRosa Sauce to Other Brands
Feature | LaRosa Sauce | Other Brands |
|---|---|---|
Base Ingredients | Vine-ripened California tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, onions, garlic | Often uses concentrate, lower quality oils |
Flavor Profile | Balanced, not too sweet, robust flavor | May be overly sweet or bland |
Texture | Thick and pulpy, smooth consistency | Varies, often thinner or chunky |
Artificial Additives | None | Common in many brands |
Preparation Required | None, ready to use | Some require cooking |
Shelf Life After Opening | Up to 10 days | Varies, often shorter |
Why LaRosa Sauce Tastes So Good
The reason why LaRosa Pizza Sauce tastes so good is pretty simple there are three main reasons:
- High-quality ingredients – It all starts here with vine-ripened tomatoes from the San Joaquin Valley in California, these are picked at peak freshness then canned within four hours ensuring the flavor stays the same throughout every jar! And not only that but a real extra virgin olive oil is used. Many cheaper sauces use lower quality oils.
- Natural flavor – The robust flavors in the sauce come from natural ingredients like garlic onions oregano basil black pepper and a secret blend of spices made by them and only them! no artificial flavors or chemical preservatives are added to this sauce giving it its organic feel.
- The right consistency – You may not give much thought to how thick your sauce is when spreading it over your pie but for LaRosa they make sure they get it just right! They make sure theirs has a nice thick pulpy texture while still being thin enough to pour out. When on your pizza you’re left with a smooth consistency without making your crust soggy.
- Well-balanced flavor – With all their ingredients perfectly balanced you’re left with sweet California tomato richness from the olive oil and a savory kick from onions, garlic and spices created by them. Lots of pizza places try to go above and beyond instead of keeping things simple this tends to create an overpowering flavor which makes you forget what the true taste of pizza should be!
- No cook required – Unlike others, LaRossas comes fully prepared as soon as you buy it, you can use it straight out of the jar having no need to cook before using. Allowing that fresh tomato flavor to really shine through!
These reasons come together to produce a sauce that compliments pizza like no other. The flavor really allows the cheese, crust, and toppings to sing.
LaRosa Pizza Sauce Nutrition Facts
A 1/4 cup serving of LaRosa Pizza Sauce contains:
- Calories: 60
- Total Fat: 1.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 230mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 11g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 7g
- Protein: 2g
As you can see, a serving of LaRosa sauce delivers a good dose of antioxidants from the tomatoes, has zero saturated fat or cholesterol, and provides some fiber. The sodium content is moderate at 9% of your daily value.
Overall, the nutrition stats are pretty impressive for a flavor-packed pizza sauce. It’s much healthier than typical fast food pizza sauces which can be loaded with salt, sugars, and preservatives.
So you can feel good enjoying LaRosa Pizza Sauce as part of an overall balanced diet. A few tablespoons of this tomatoey goodness adds lots of flavor without derailing your nutrition goals.
How to Use LaRosa Pizza Sauce at Home
If you want to make pro-level pizza at home, LaRosa Pizza Sauce is a must-have pantry staple. Here are some tips for using it:
- Use it as-is straight from the jar – Thanks to LaRosa’s quality ingredients and cooking method, their pizza sauce tastes amazing straight out of the jar. Feel free to use it as-is without any additions needed.
- Spread it edge to edge – Don’t just dot the sauce, spread it evenly from edge to edge on your pizza crust. This ensures every bite is saucy. Use about 1/4 cup per 12 inches of crust.
- Drizzle on olive oil – For extra richness, you can drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil over the sauce before baking. This gives it an authentic pizzeria taste.
- Grate Parmesan – Sprinkle freshly grated parmesan over the pizza right when it comes out of the oven. The heat melts the cheese into the sauce creating a delicious flavor fusion.
- Use on any style crust – LaRosa sauce works great on everything from thin crust to deep dish to crispy brick oven crusts. Adjust the sauce amount based on the crust size.
- Add spices if desired – If you want to spice it up, add a pinch of dried basil, oregano, garlic powder, or red pepper flakes onto the sauce before baking.
- Cook low and slow – For the cheese to melt and the crust to crisp perfectly, cook the pizza at a lower temp (around 425°F) for a longer time.
With these tips, you can easily make pizza at home that looks, tastes, and smells like it came straight from your favorite pizzeria. LaRosa Pizza Sauce provides that secret weapon.
7 Common Pizzas to Make with LaRosa Sauce
Here are some of the most popular pizzas that LaRosa Pizza Sauce can elevate from good to great:
- Classic Pepperoni Pizza – No need to reinvent the wheel here. LaRosa sauce paired with indulgent layers of mozzarella cheese, sliced pepperoni, and a dusting of oregano is a match made in pizza heaven.provide that secret weapon
- Margherita Pizza — Fresh mozzarella, thick slices of ripe tomato, torn basil leaves, a drizzle of olive oil and plenty of LaRosa sauce on a crispy crust.
- Hawaiian Pizza — Sweet sautéed pineapple and ham over La Rosa sauce create a delicious sticky, sweet and savory flavor combo.
- BBQ Chicken Pizza — LaRosa’s zesty sauce complements smoky shredded barbecue chicken breast. Add some red onion for crunch and a sprinkle of cilantro to brighten things up.
- Veggie Lover’s Pizza — Bell peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach, artichokes and any other fresh veggies you love make for an amazing veggie pie.
- Supreme Pizza — Pepperoni, Italian sausage, green bell peppers, mushrooms, onions and black olives harmonize beautifully when blanketed in LaRosa’s sauce.
- Breakfast Pizza — Top LaRosa sauce with crispy bacon, savory sausage, fluffy scrambled eggs, melty cheddar and fresh chives for the most important meal of the day…pizza style.
Next time you make one of these popular pizzas at home, reach for a jar of LaRosa sauce to make it extra special with its quality ingredients that will take your pizza to the next level!
How to Make Your Own LaRosa-Style Pizza Sauce
If you want to DIY it or just don’t have any jarred marinara hanging around here is my recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
- 1/4 cup water
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions:
- In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, water, basil, oregano, onion powder, salt and pepper. Whisk to combine.
- Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened.
- Remove from heat and adjust seasonings to taste. Add more olive oil for richness or herbs for flavor if desired.
- Allow to cool completely before using it on pizzas or storing.
Tips for Making the Best Homemade Pizza
Pizza sauce is just one part of creating an amazing homemade pizza — here are some other tips:
- Pick the right crust – The crust sets the foundation so opt for a thin crispy crust or a soft chewy Neapolitan-style crust depending on your preference. You can make it yourself or buy premade fresh dough from your favorite pizza spot!
- Use a pizza stone – Baking your pizza on a pizza stone rather than a pan will ensure that your crust crisps up perfectly without being soggy! Heat your stone in the oven before baking it will change everything trust me!
- Stretch it Out – Whether you’re using your hands or a rolling pin, stretch the dough gently to the desired size. Then spread sauce and toppings all the way to the edge so every bite gets topped.
- Choose Your Toppings Wisely – Opt for fresh mozzarella, grated Parmesan, sliced pepperoni, wood-smoked bacon and in-season vegetables for your toppings. Remember that less is more — no need to overload!
- Add Some Seasoning – A dash of dried oregano, red pepper flakes or Italian seasoning blend can add some extra flavor. Sprinkle it on top of the sauce before baking.
- Bake at High Heat – Crisp the crust quickly before the toppings overcook by baking at around 425°F. The high heat also caramelizes and melds flavors together.
- Finish With Fresh Herbs – After baking, add some chopped basil, parsley or cilantro for a pop of color and flavor.
- Let It Rest Before Cutting Into It – After removing from the oven, let it set up for 1-2 minutes so that the cheese sets up, and then slice it up and serve immediately while hot and melty.
Common Questions about LaRosa Pizza Sauce
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about this popular pizza sauce brand:
Q1: Is LaRosa sauce already cooked?
Yes! It comes fully cooked and ready to use straight from the jar. No additional cooking required before topping your pizzas.
Q2: What’s its shelf life after opening?
An opened jar will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 10 days when screwed on tightly between uses.
Q3: Does LaRosa sauce contain tomato chunks?
Their traditional recipe has a smooth and thick texture with no chunks. However, some specialty flavors like their Three Cheese Pizza Sauce do contain tomato chunks.
Q4: Can I use LaRosa sauce for pasta and other recipes?
Yes! It tastes great on pasta, calzones, vegetable bakes, meatloaf and more. Be creative in the kitchen with it!
Q5: What’s the difference between LaRosa and other leading brands?
LaRosa uses higher-quality ingredients like vine-ripened California tomatoes and real olive oil to bring a fresher, bolder flavor. Their sauce is also thicker and less watery than others.
Q6: Does LaRosa offer any low-sodium or gluten-free options?
Currently they don’t have any specialty diet offerings. Their traditional pizza sauce does contain 230 mg sodium per serving and is not labeled as gluten-free.
Wrapping Up
On your next pizza night, skip the expensive takeout and channel your inner pizzaiolo to create your own gourmet pie at home. Spread that signature LaRosa sauce edge-to-edge, sprinkle on the toppings, and get ready for a truly memorable experience. From the first bite, you’ll taste the sauce that makes their pizzas legendary.
So grab a jar of LaRosa Pizza Sauce on your next grocery run. Just don’t blame me when you get hooked and it becomes a weekly pantry staple!
