What to Do With Leftover Pizza Sauce? 9 Ideas

Assume you, like me, like pizza. Consider that you, like me, like to create your own pizza dough and sauce. You’ll notice that some pizza sauce is always left over at the conclusion of the preparation. So, what should you do with the remaining pizza sauce?

The simplest way to use leftover pizza sauce is to freeze it. You may, however, utilize your sauce to create new and wonderful recipes such as salsa, chili, baked potatoes or eggs, ratatouille, eggplant casserole, spaghetti Bolognese, tomato soup, or even a Bloody Mary.

There are probably a thousand different uses for leftover pizza sauce. You’ll undoubtedly find freezing it or making more pizza at the top of the list, but I believe we should be more creative with our meals. So, in this post, I’ll offer my top 9 go-to recipes for using up that delicious handmade leftover pizza sauce.

What to Do With Leftover Pizza Sauce?

When it comes to leftover food, the first thing that springs to mind is to freeze it so that we may reuse it later when we wish to cook that particular dish again. I believe in giving our leftovers a second chance, and that is what this post is about. Instead of storing your leftover pizza sauce, try some of the recipes below for an entirely different and delicious new supper.

Homemade Salsa

Homemade salsa is simple to prepare and even more flavorful when prepared with fresh ingredients.

So, if you have leftover pizza sauce, just combine it with your favorite veggies, season with sugar (if the sauce is too acidic for you), and voilà! There you have it: your incredibly simple, super tasty homemade salsa.

I add red onions, jalapenos, garlic, cilantro, diced tomatoes and peppers (for texture), green onions, a few chili flakes, lime juice, and, to make it really special, avocado. Nonetheless, you may use any vegetables and herbs you have on hand.

Finish with a drizzle of crème fraîche, then serve with tortilla chips and salsa.

Shakshuka (or Baked Eggs in Tomato Sauce)

Shakshuka is a nutritious breakfast food from North Africa and the Middle East. Simply add some bell peppers (I like yellow since they are sweeter), onions, mushrooms, paprika, and leftover pizza sauce to a skillet, leave to boil, and then break your eggs on top to poach on the tomato sauce.

This dish can be made in the oven or on the stovetop, takes less than 15 minutes to prepare (poaching time may vary depending on how you prefer your eggs done), and is a delightful go-to meal to start the day or on rainy evenings with bread and a glass of red wine.

To take your shakshuka to the next level, top it with green onions and feta cheese.

Tomato Soup

Tomato soup is one of the simplest soups to prepare, particularly if you have some tomato sauce on hand. Instead of adding water, I add some chicken broth (you may use veggie broth if you want to make your soup vegetarian). Once your soup has simmered, top it off with some flavored olive oil, a poached egg, croutons, fresh herbs, crispy bacon, toasted almonds, and crème fraiche. The possibilities are endless.

For a hearty savory supper, I serve my Tomato Soup with a grilled cheese sandwich.

Ratatouille

Ratatouille is a simple, fast, and tasty meal that may be served as a side dish to any meat or seafood entrée, but it can also be eaten on its own.

Begin by sautéing finely chopped onions, garlic, and bell peppers in heated olive oil. Then add some paprika and herbs (I use herbs de Provence and fresh thyme), your leftover pizza sauce, sugar, a splash of balsamic vinegar, fresh basil, and heavy cream (you can omit the heavy cream phase if you don’t want it dairy free).

Thinly slice some cucumber, tomatoes, and eggplants, then pour the majority of your prepared sauce on top and carefully compress your vegetable pieces so they cook evenly. Pour the leftover sauce over the veggies, then drizzle with olive oil and fresh thyme and top with grated parmesan cheese.

Bake in the oven at 375 F for 1 hour. Enjoy!

Bloody Mary

A Bloody Mary is definitely not on your list of things to make with leftover pizza sauce, but if you like Bloody Marys, this is the recipe for you.

Shake your pizza sauce with vodka (if you want a virgin bloody mary, omit the alcohol), lemon and lime juice, creamy horseradish, Worcestershire, sriracha (to make it extremely spicy), a tiny garlic clove, and pepper.To make the ideal cocktail, first combine and drain the leftover pizza sauce to make a smooth sauce for your cocktail.

Finish with some celery or lime, and have fun!

Eggplant Parm Casserole

You’ll need eggplant, breadcrumbs, shredded cheese (I use a combination of mozzarella, provolone, and pecorino Romano), and leftover pizza sauce to create an amazing Eggplant Parm Casserole.

Begin by dipping thin slices of peeled eggplant into a whisked egg mixture, then pressing them on breadcrumbs. Place the breaded eggplant slices on a sheet pan, brush with olive oil, and broil for 2-3 minutes on the top oven rack, or until golden brown. Repeat the technique on the opposite side of each slide.

Begin assembling your dish once your eggplant is ready:

1. Sauce (enough to coat the bottom of the pan), eggplant, sauce (enough to cover the eggplant), and cheese combination.
2. Repeat until all of your components are used, concluding with a liberal covering of cheese.
3. Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes in a 350°F oven. Remove the foil and continue baking for 10 minutes, or until brown and bubbling.

Spaghetti Bolognese

The most popular usage for leftover pizza sauce is undoubtedly spaghetti Bolognese. It’s simple and tasty, and you only need a few ingredients to prepare the ideal dinner.

Brown your meat in a skillet with olive oil. Add chopped onions and garlic, oregano (if using), salt, pepper, chili flakes (if you prefer your Bolognese hot), and red wine. When the wine has evaporated, add a spoon of flour (to thicken your sauce), whisk well, and then pour in your pizza sauce. Add sugar to taste, water if necessary, and serve over al dente pasta.

Baked Potatoes

Baked potatoes are most likely something you’ve never heard of before, but they’re amazing. Begin by preparing your potatoes. I like sweet ones, which I fork and season with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Rub them generously and bake for 40-45 minutes at 425°F.

When the potatoes are done, cut them in the center (but not all the way through, as you want to create a tiny pocket for your filling), fluff the interior with a fork, and liberally spoon the leftover pizza sauce inside. Toppings to taste (pepperoni, leftover shrimp scampi, pulled pork, Bolognese, etc.) and copious amounts of grated cheese (I use parmesan). Top with smaller pieces of pepperoni and return the potatoes to the oven at 375 degrees Celsius until the cheese is melted.

Chili

This Chili dish is identical to the Spaghetti Bolognese recipe I provided before. To create this delectable meal, follow the Bolognese instructions, but leave off the flour and sugar, and add some bell peppers and red beans after the leftover pizza sauce. Add water and simmer for 45 minutes on medium to low heat to achieve a rich, thick, heavenly-made chili.

Serve over white rice and garnish with crème fraiche and lime.

How Long Does Leftover Pizza Sauce Last?

Pizza sauce will keep in the refrigerator for 5-7 days and up to 3 months if frozen, in which case simply put it in the refrigerator overnight to thaw and be ready to use.