25 Recipes That Start with Pizza Sauce

Updated on Oct. 01, 2024

Don't throw out that jar! These recipes with pizza sauce will stretch your extra sauce from dinner to breakfast and back again.

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If you’re like me and tend to be quite frugal about your grocery shopping, chances are you also look for ways to repurpose your leftovers. Should you find yourself with leftover sauce after pizza night, explore these recipes with pizza sauce. This collection features pizza sauce in pizza appetizers, dips and pizza casseroles, plus some top-rated but unusual pizzas.

Read on for recipes inspired by Italian and Mexican food, from brunch to lunch and dinner. You might even want to pick extra store-bought pizza sauce (or make a double batch of our pizza sauce recipe)! Ready the aprons and napkins because things are about to get saucy.

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Pizza Dip

You can assemble this easy appetizer in a jiffy. The pizza dip goes very fast, so you may want to make two batches. —Stacie Morse, South Otselic, New York
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Sausage Pizza Pasta

It's pizza in a bowl! Here's a terrific (and tasty) way to make sure your kids get the whole grains and vegetables they need to grow up big and strong. —Danna Holt, Shoals, Indiana
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Sausage and Blue Cheese Stuffed Peppers

This family favorite combines some of our most-enjoyed ingredients: sausage, blue cheese and sweet peppers. The ease of preparation and slow-cooker convenience make this a go-to meal for busy weeknights. —Peggy Mehalick, Mountain Top, Pennsylvania
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Grilled Veggie Pizza

I came up with this recipe one summer as a way to use up vegetables from our garden. Grilling the veggies first brings out their sizzling flavors. Try it with a sprinkling of olives or pine nuts before adding the cheese. —Susan Marshall, Colorado Springs, Colorado
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Pepperoni Bread

This savory stromboli starts with frozen bread dough, so it comes together in practically no time. The golden loaf is stuffed with cheese, pepperoni, mushrooms, peppers and olives. I often add a few slices of ham too. It’s tasty served with warm pizza sauce for dipping. —Jenny Brown, West Lafayette, Indiana
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Cheesy Pepperoni Buns

A pizza version of the sloppy joe, this hot and melty open-faced sandwich is a surefire kid pleaser. Adults love it, too! —Tanya Belt, Newcomerstown, Ohio
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Pizza Sloppy Joes

If you’re tired of same old sloppy joes, here’s a tasty twist! These messy, kid-friendly sandwiches have a definite pizza flavor that families will love, but be sure to serve them with a fork!
Connie Pettit – Logan, OH
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Pepperoni and Sausage Deep-Dish Pizza Quiche

Try this savory quiche for a hearty change-of-pace breakfast. Needless to say, it's wonderful for lunch and dinner too. — Donna Chesney, Naples, Florida
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Steak & Beer Chili

A cup of chili is always a pleasant way to warm up on a cold day. This one has a combination of budget-friendly chuck steak and brats in a spicy broth. I like to serve it with a dollop of sour cream. —Betsy King, Duluth, Minnesota
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Pizza Noodle Bake

Here’s a family-pleasing casserole that comes together in a snap, making it perfect for a weeknight meal. Double the recipe and freeze one for later! —Bernice Knutson, Soldier, Iowa
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Open-Faced Pizza Burgers

I’m not sure where I first saw this pizza burger recipe, but I’m glad I did! My family requests this meal often. A dash of oregano livens up canned pizza sauce. —Sharon Schwartz, Burlington, Wisconsin
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Waffle-Iron Pizzas

These little pizza pockets put together using the waffle maker are a fun mashup. Try your favorite toppings or even breakfast fillings like ham and eggs. —Amy Lents, Grand Forks, North Dakota
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Pizza Tater Tot Casserole

For a new spin on a classic casserole, try my easy version. For a fun twist, just add your family’s favorite pizza toppings! —Sharon Skildum, Maple Grove, Minnesota
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Pizza Stromboli

I used to own a bakery, and this stromboli recipe was one of our customers’ favorites. Once they smelled the aroma of pizza and sampled these tempting spiral slices, they just couldn’t resist taking some home. —John Morcom, Oxford, Michigan
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Pizza Beans

Take this pizza-inspired dish to your next party. It makes an amazing side, or you can enjoy a larger serving alongside a fresh green salad for a delicious entree. It can even be made the day before and reheated. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
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Pizza Crackers

Kids love making these simple pizza crackers. I like to use pizza sauce from a squeeze bottle to make it easier for them. Just make sure an adult is there to put the crackers in the oven. —Tonya Sanders, Geneva, Iowa
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Pizza Sliders

Our love for Italian food and pizza gave me the idea for pizza sliders. These would be delicious as a lunch, light dinner or party appetizer. Who could turn down pizza in a slider? —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
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Spinach Pizza Quesadillas

This simple four-ingredient dinner is special to me because my daughter and I created it together. You can make variations with other veggies you might have at home. It’s a smart way to get kids to eat healthier. —Tanna Mancini, Gulfport, Florida
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Low-Carb Pizza Rolls

I came up with a lower carb version of my stuffed pizza rolls recipe when I decided to try more of a keto/paleo lifestyle and needed something satisfying to heat up at work for lunches. This is quick, easy, and lower in carbs! Mix and match toppings to suit your tastes like a vegetarian version, Hawaiian or meat lovers. —Sarah Gilbert-Roberts, Beaverton, Oregon
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Pepperoni Pizza Pockets

Stuffed with a pizza-style filling, these special sandwiches surprise you with a burst of flavor in every bite. They were popular at our son’s birthday party, but you can be sure adults will love them too! —Robin Werner, Brush Prairie, Washington
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Pizza on a Stick

My daughter and her friends had fun turning sausage, pepperoni, veggies and pizza dough into these cute kabobs. —Charlene Woods, Norfolk, Virginia
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Air-Fryer Pizza Pockets

These air-fryer pizza pockets will satisfy everyone in the house. The best part is that they can be made ahead, frozen and then cooked right from the freezer for instant, satisfying snacks. —Clarice Brender, North Liberty, Iowa
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Sausage Pizza

What makes this recipe unique is the slow overnight fermentation of the dough. The flour has time to hydrate and relax, which makes the dough so much easier to roll out! —Josh Rink, Taste Recipes Food Stylist
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Zucchini Pizza Bites

This simple snack is the perfect, low-carb way to satisfy your pizza cravings. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
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Flatbread Pizza

I have been making this recipe for years to make homemade calzones, pizza and grilled flatbread pizza. It always comes out perfectly and doubles and triples well. This batch will make one large pizza or two to three calzones. —Patricia Prescott, Manchester, New Hampshire

Leftover Pizza Sauce FAQ

How do I store leftover pizza sauce?

Store your leftover pizza sauce in the refrigerator or, for longer storage, in the freezer. To store in the freezer, place your pizza sauce in freezer-safe containers, leaving at least 1/2-inch of headspace. Freeze for 6 to 12 months. When ready to use, let the sauce thaw in the fridge first.

How long is leftover pizza sauce good for in the fridge?

If you store your leftover pizza sauce in an airtight container, it should keep up to four days in the fridge.

Can I use pizza sauce in recipes that call for spaghetti sauce?

You can certainly use your pizza sauce in place of spaghetti sauce in a pinch. Depending on how thick your pizza sauce is and how thick you want your pasta sauce to be, you might need to thicken or thin it. To thicken your pizza sauce for pasta, simmer it over a stovetop, stirring occasionally, until it reaches your desired consistency. Or, to thin your pizza sauce for pasta, cook it over low heat while slowly whisking in a splash or two of broth or water.

You can also add herbs and aromatics to your pizza sauce to make it pasta-ready. Try stirring in torn fresh basil, sauteed garlic and onions or Italian seasoning.