If you are not the biggest fan of the traditional red sauce that comes on pizza, here are some unique bases to choose from to create the preferred flavor you are looking for! 

By Lily McDonald

Pizza is a classic meal for college students, and sometimes, people want something different than a traditional tomato-based sauce. If you feel like you are missing out on more fun and unique flavors, many other sauce options can work instead to elevate your pizza night!

Alfredo  

If you are looking for creaminess in your pizza, alfredo sauce is perfect. This thick sauce is made with butter, garlic, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese. Many different toppings can also be included, such as broccoli, spinach, chicken, onions, bacon, and mushrooms. You can customize this versatile sauce however you wish and include add-ons that complement the rich flavor.   

Pesto 

This green, herbal, and garlicky sauce is guaranteed to excite your taste buds. Pesto is made from basil leaves, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, salt, and parmesan cheese. Some of the best garnishes to top a pesto pizza are sun-dried tomatoes, artichokes, mushrooms, cauliflower, sausage, and goat cheese. Opt for toppings that balance the flavors of the zingy pesto. 

Garlic and Olive Oil 

For a lighter taste, garlic and olive oil is the right choice for a pizza “sauce.” This simple combination will make your toppings the leading flavors of the dish. Making pizza with this base might be the easiest, as it only requires olive oil, garlic cloves, and parmesan cheese! With this simple sauce, you can add basil, pepperoni, tomatoes, parsley, olives, or broccoli! A garlic and olive oil pizza is the best option for a plain pie, so the topping options are endless.

Ranch 

Ranch is a classic dressing that almost everyone loves, so why not include it on pizza? This creamy and tangy dressing is made from buttermilk, mayonnaise, and fresh herbs. Ranch is commonly used as a dip for snacks, salad dressing, and now, as pizza sauce. The most popular toppings with this base are chicken and bacon, but you can also include onions, peppers, tomatoes, spinach, and olives.

BBQ 

If you are craving sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors for your pizza, then BBQ sauce is ideal. The basic ingredients in BBQ sauce are brown sugar, vinegar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and spices. The best toppings to complement the smoky taste are bacon, chicken, pulled pork, onions, and peppers. Throw it on the grill for an even deeper taste to enhance the BBQ flavor.

Buffalo  

In regards to chicken wings, buffalo sauce is the fan favorite — now imagine it on pizza. Buffalo sauce combines hot sauce, butter, vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. This is the ideal base if you love spice but do not want it to overpower your pizza. It still has a bold flavor, but its creaminess will not leave your mouth burning like traditional hot sauce. For a taste that emulates wings, include toppings such as chicken, onions, tomatoes, scallions, ranch, and blue cheese crumbles. No need to settle for the conventional pizza base when buffalo sauce is an option!

Hummus 

This base may seem unusual on pizza, but do not doubt how delicious it can be! Hummus has a nutty, earthy flavor, which is created from a combination of chickpeas, tahini, lemon, garlic, and olive oil. It is the most nutritious base with fewer calories than your typical pizza sauce. This dish tastes best with your favorite veggies, such as broccoli, olives, spinach, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, peppers, and feta cheese. This lighter version of traditional pizza is a savory way to satisfy your cravings without boring, greasy ingredients!Most college students often turn to pizza as a quick and easy meal, so the next time you find yourself making a pie or ordering a slice, do not be afraid to spice up your sauces! There are even more options than the ones we provided, so enjoy researching and experimenting with different options. The next time your friends suggest pizza for dinner, there is no need to groan — suggest one of these innovative sauces instead!