Pizza seasonings come in many different varieties, and they’re all designed to give your pizzas an extra kick.
While some people prefer to add their own personal touch to their pizzas, others have no interest in doing so.
But if you think you might want to try making your own pizza seasoning at home, then here’s everything you need to know about how to make one.
Read on below as we explore what makes up a pizza seasoning recipe and learn why it’s important to consider which one you choose before heading out shopping.
What Are The Ingredients In A Pizza Seasoning Recipe?
The main ingredient in most pizza sauces is either tomato paste or ketchup.
You may also see these items called “tomato sauce,” but this term is now outdated and should not be used when referring to tomato-based products.
These two ingredients work very well together because both of them contain lots of natural flavors and will give your pizzas that authentic Italian taste.
Other common ingredients include salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, sugar, and paprika.
You may find other spices like chili powder or cayenne pepper in certain recipes, but those are usually optional additions that don’t provide much flavor.
Instead, adding too many spices could actually weaken the overall flavor profile of your pizzas.
If you use only one spice for your pizza sauce, then it’s best to stick with just one or two.
For example, instead of using three peppers (red, green, and yellow) in your pizza seasoning, it would be better to pick one color from each family and call it a day.
When choosing between different types of tomatoes, always go for canned diced tomatoes over whole ones.
They tend to have less water and more concentrated flavors.
If you do decide to buy fresh tomatoes, then look for ripe specimens without blemishes or bruises.
For a homemade pizza seasoning recipe, you’ll typically want to combine three different types of dried herbs into one big batch.
This way, you’ll get the full spectrum of aroma and flavor from each herb, rather than having them blend together into a single flavor profile.
How Do You Make Pizza Seasoning?
The main thing to remember when making a homemade pizza seasoning is that there’s no such thing as “one size fits all”.
While most brands will contain similar ingredients, each brand has its own unique flavor profile.
For example, while both Old El Paso and Trader Joe’s pizza seasoning recipes use garlic powder, onion flakes, parsley flakes, salt, pepper, oregano, basil, red chili flakes, and other spices, these two brands also differ from each other with regard to the amount of each ingredient.
So, while some people may find the Old El Paso pizza seasoning too strong, others may enjoy the more subtle taste of Trader Joe’s pizza seasoning recipe.
Whatever you decide, be sure not to substitute one pizza seasoning recipe for another – instead, look into buying multiple bottles of pizza seasoning products and mixing them together yourself!
Trader Joe’s Pizza Seasoning Recipe
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup chopped onions
- ¼ teaspoons dried parsley flakes
- ⅛teaspoon salt
- ⅛teaspoons black pepper
- ⅛teaspoon paprika
- ⅛teaspoon oregano
- ⅛teaspoon crushed red chilies (optional)
If you don’t like spicy food but still want your pizza to have a little kick, this is the perfect option for you.
The mixture includes just enough heat without going overboard.
Old El Paso Pizza Seasoning Recipe
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
- ⅓ cup finely chopped yellow onion
- ⅔ teaspoon kosher or sea salt
- ⅛teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ⅛teaspoon smoked paprika
- ⅛teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ⅛teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
This pizza seasoning recipe uses a lot less spice than the previous one, but it still packs quite a punch!
However, due to the fact that the mixture contains only 2 tablespoons of garlic, you won’t get much of a smell coming off of it.
If you’d rather avoid smelling anything, opt for this one over the previous one.
What Is The Best Pizza Seasoning Recipe?
You may not realize this, but there are actually multiple types of pizza seasoning recipes available online.
For example, one popular brand offers both traditional and vegan versions of its product, with each offering slightly different ingredients.
However, while these options may sound appealing, most seasoned pizza recipes include similar ingredients and offer the same overall flavor profile.
So, when choosing between them, you should look into whether or not the ingredients will complement each other well.
For instance, if you’re looking for a simple pizza seasoning recipe that includes just garlic powder, salt, pepper, and sugar, then you could find something like this recipe from Serious Eats.
However, if you enjoy experimenting with flavors, you may instead be more interested in a recipe like this one from How Sweet It Is! If you opt for this option, you can customize the amount of chili flakes included according to your preferences.
In addition to using basic ingredients like salt, pepper, and sugar, you can also experiment with adding herbs, spices, and even dried fruits to your pizza seasoning.
One thing you shouldn’t forget to watch out for, though, is the inclusion of baking soda and vinegar in certain pizza seasoning recipes.
While these two ingredients often work well together, they can cause issues if combined incorrectly.
As such, always double-check the instructions provided by any particular pizza seasoning recipe before attempting to follow them.
You don’t want to end up creating a mess on your kitchen countertop after trying to bake a pizza without following proper directions.
How Do You Use Pizza Seasoning?
When it comes to adding pizza seasoning to your favorite dishes, there are two main ways you can go about this – either by using pre-made packets or recipes that contain dried herbs and spices.
The first option uses individual spice packets, while the second option involves mixing together a mixture of ingredients into a paste that can be applied directly onto whatever dish you want to flavor.
The following sections will explain both methods and help you decide which one works better for you.
Using pre-cooked pizza seasoning
This method allows you to mix together just enough seasoning to coat whatever food item you intend to flavor, without having to deal with messy blending tasks.
You don’t even have to buy a packet of pizza seasoning if you prefer not to.
You could instead opt to create your very own homemade version from scratch.
If you’d rather not bother with creating your own pizza seasoning, however, then you should check out these ready-to-use pre-cooked pizza sauces.
These include options for tomato, garlic, onion, pepperoni, and more, allowing you to pick whichever combination appeals most to your tastes.
It also doesn’t hurt that these products are easy to find online, meaning that you won’t have much trouble finding them wherever you shop.
Making your own pizza seasoning
Another way to get your hands on pizza seasoning is to make it yourself.
While this isn’t quite as easy as buying something off the shelf, you can still manage it relatively easily.
To start with, simply head over to Google and search for “how to make my own pizza seasoning”.
From there, you’ll see plenty of results showing you exactly how to create your own custom blend.
Once you’ve got your DIY pizza seasoning down pat, it’s time to apply it to your meals!
Here are three simple steps you can follow to ensure you end up with the perfect pizza seasoning concoction.
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl. If possible, work under cool running water until they become smooth and well combined.
- Transfer mixture to storage container. Keep in mind that you may need to adjust the amount of liquid required depending on how thick your final product turns out to be.
- Apply to desired area. Once the mixture has been transferred to its new location, it needs to be spread evenly across the surface to achieve maximum coverage.
(Note: If you’re planning to add any additional flavors such as cheese, onions, peppers, etc., you’ll need to add them after the initial coating process.)
What Does Pizza Seasoning Taste Like?
A good pizza seasoning will bring out the best flavors from whatever toppings you decide to put on top.
That means it should complement the ingredients you choose instead of overpowering them.
When looking through various recipes online or on paper, there are several things you’ll notice when searching for a pizza seasoning recipe.
The first thing you’ll see is that most often than not, pizza seasoning recipes contain salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, and other spices.
The second common ingredient you’ll find is cornstarch, which gives the dough a binding agent and helps keep it from falling apart during cooking.
If you look closely enough, you may also spot dried milk, soy sauce, sugar, eggs, tomato paste, and even MSG (monosodium glutamate) in some pizza seasoning recipes.
While these ingredients aren’t necessarily bad per se, they don’t always blend well with each other, resulting in something less-than-ideal.
Tips for choosing a pizza seasoning recipe
As mentioned above, pizza seasoning recipes usually include multiple spice types, but there are a few things you should take into consideration before trying to create your own version at home.
- Choose the right amount of each ingredient. As much as possible, avoid having too little of anything because this won’t allow the flavor of the topping to shine through properly.
- Don’t go overboard adding certain ingredients. If you’ve never made pizza before, you may feel tempted to overdo it by sprinkling tons of cheese onto your pie. However, while this could certainly enhance the overall flavor of the pizza, it could potentially ruin its texture.
- Avoid “flavor enhancers” such as MSG (or monosodium glutamate). These additives are typically found in premade foods and can cause adverse reactions among those who suffer from food allergies.
What Are The Benefits Of Using A Pizza Seasoning Recipe?
The most obvious benefit of using a homemade pizza seasoning recipe is that you get to control exactly what goes into it.
You won’t find additives or preservatives within a pre-made pizza seasoning product, meaning you can rest assured knowing that the ingredients will always be fresh and 100% natural.
Another great thing about using this kind of recipe is that you can customize it depending on the type of pizza you plan to make.
For example, if you’d rather use a sweet pepper topping instead of a spicy red pepper sauce, you can just swap them out with ease.
You also don’t have to worry about finding suitable containers for storing your seasoning mix.
All of these recipes include instructions on how much each individual ingredient should weigh, so you can easily store them away until needed.
When you decide to go ahead and make your own pizza seasoning, there are plenty of reasons to do so.
Here are three more benefits you may not have considered:
- It saves money: If you buy ready made pizza seasoning, you’ll end up spending quite a bit of cash over time. By creating your own, you’ll save yourself hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars every year.
- It eliminates waste: Pizza seasoning mixes tend to contain large amounts of salt and sugar. Unfortunately, both of those substances aren’t good for us when consumed too frequently. When you create your own pizza seasoning mix, however, you avoid having to throw out excess food because you only consume small quantities of the mixture.
- You’ve got peace of mind: The last reason to make your own pizza seasoning is something that has nothing to do with health. It comes down to convenience. If you purchase a premade pizza seasoning mix, you’re going to run the risk of losing track of what was and wasn’t included in the box. With a homemade pizza seasoning recipe, however, you never have to worry about forgetting anything again.
How Does A Pizza Seasoning Recipe Compare To Other Seasonings?
There are two main types of pizza seasoning recipes available online.
The first is a store-bought version, while the second is made from scratch by adding ingredients to water.
These options allow you to create a pizza seasoning with whatever flavor profile appeals to you most.
- Store-Bought Pizza Seasoning Recipes: If you like the convenience of having pre-made pizza seasoning already mixed together ahead of time, this option will suit you perfectly.
- Homemade Pizza Seasoning Recipe: Making your own pizza seasoning can take a little bit of effort, but once you get into the swing of things, it’ll become easier each time you do it.
Benefits of Using Store-Bought Pizza Seasoning Recipes
If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty when it comes to cooking, then there’s nothing wrong with choosing a store-bought pizza seasoning over homemade.
These products usually contain only three or four ingredients that are easy enough to find anywhere around your house – although you may need to check your local grocery store if you live outside of major cities.
For example, you could buy a bottle of Italian seasoning mix, a jar of garlic salt, and a tube of dried basil leaves.
You can also purchase these items individually whenever you see them in stores (although you may not always find them near where you stock up on groceries).
Once you open these bottles or jars, simply combine the contents and use it immediately.
No measuring is needed since the amount of each ingredient required varies depending on the recipe you follow.
Disadvantages of Using Store-Bought Pizza Seasoning Recipes
Although there are certain advantages to using store-bought pizza seasoning, such as being able to prepare the product quickly and easily, there are still plenty of reasons why you should opt for a homemade option instead.
To begin with, you won’t have to worry about storing large amounts of foodstuff that requires refrigeration.
While you probably won’t have to go through this hassle too often, it can save you money in the long run.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you’re more likely to receive quality results by creating your own pizza seasoning than purchasing one off the shelf.
There are fewer chances of something going wrong during mixing, meaning you’ll end up with a tasty pizza sauce every single time.
Finally, even though you can buy premixed pizza sauces, the taste isn’t quite the same.
For instance, if you decide to use a tomato paste base, you’ll notice that the flavors aren’t as strong as those found in homemade versions.
In contrast, you’ll enjoy much better results when you bake with homemade pizza sauce.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Using A Pizza Seasoning Recipe?
If you decide to use a pizza seasoning recipe in place of buying ready-made ones from the store, there are plenty of reasons why you should do so.
The first reason is because homemade versions tend to taste better than those that you find in stores.
Another advantage is that making your own pizza seasoning means you can control exactly what goes into it.
You also get to customize it according to your tastes, which is something you simply cannot do with pre-packaged products.
But while these advantages may sound great, there are still several disadvantages too.
- Not everyone has access to an oven or even knows how to operate one properly.
- You will need to invest time and money in purchasing the ingredients needed to create your own pizza seasoning.
- A pizza seasoning recipe doesn’t allow you to tweak its flavor according to your individual preferences.
- Some recipes call for specific types of oil or spices that aren’t readily available.
When it comes to cooking, most people prefer convenience over quality.
This explains why most people opt for packaged food when they don’t feel like spending much time preparing meals themselves.
However, this isn’t always true since the best tasting dishes usually take longer to cook.
In addition, not every dish needs to be made from scratch.
For example, a frozen meal from the supermarket could provide enough nutrients to keep you going throughout the day without having to spend hours in the kitchen.
So if you’d rather save yourself some time, but still enjoy delicious results, opting for a pizza seasoning recipe instead would probably work well for you.
Is A Pizza Seasoning Recipe Worth The Effort?
The short answer is yes!
Making your own pizza seasoning will save money by cutting down on grocery store expenses, which means more money left over for other things like groceries or bills.
That said, there’s nothing wrong with buying a premade pizza seasoning mix from the supermarket.
It just depends on whether you feel comfortable having control over every aspect of your food preparation.
If you don’t mind spending little time cooking, then you may not see much value in following a pizza seasoning recipe.
On the flip side, if you enjoy baking, then following a pizza seasoning recipe could end up saving you a lot of time and energy.
You can also decide to bake your pizza right after mixing the ingredients together instead of waiting until later when you actually get around to putting it into the oven.
There are only two reasons why someone would bother to make their own pizza seasoning at home – either because they want to save money, or because they enjoy experimenting with recipes.
If you fall into the first category, you probably won’t find much benefit in trying to follow a pizza seasoning recipe.
The second reason isn’t something everyone has to worry about though, since most people who like to experiment with recipes already do it with regular meals.
How does a pizza seasoning work?
When it comes to creating your own pizza seasoning, you basically just combine several dry ingredients (such as salt) with oil and water.
Next, you heat the mixture in a small saucepan on medium-high heat until it starts boiling.
Once this happens, remove it from the burner and let it cool down completely.
Then, pour the liquid off of the top of the pan and discard it.
Finally, stir in the dry ingredients and transfer them back onto the stovetop on low heat.
After stirring continuously for five minutes, turn off the stove and allow the mixture to cool for another couple of minutes before transferring it to an airtight container.
Why Should I Use A Pizza Seasoning Recipe?
Making your own pizza seasoning is easy enough, but there are plenty of reasons to do so beyond just wanting to save money or having a keen sense of culinary creativity.
You don’t like the taste of commercial pizza sauces.
You want to avoid preservatives in your food.
You want to customize the flavor profile of your pizzas.
You enjoy experimenting with new flavors.
You want to ensure that your homemade pizza sauce doesn’t end up tasting metallic when cooked.
Whatever your reason may be, there’s a good chance that you’ll find something useful here.
Equipment
- 1 Bowl
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup oregano dried
- 2 tbsp basil dried
- 1 tbsp onion flakes dried
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp thyme dried
- 1 tbsp fennel
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tbsp red pepper flakes crushed
- 1 tbsp lemon zest dried
Instructions
- To a large mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients.
- To combine, whisk the ingredients together.
- Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
Video
Nutrition
My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.