If you’ve ever wondered how some pizzas from specific pizza-based fast food restaurants make their tomato sauce so flavorful and spicy, it’s because they will use robust inspired tomato sauce, and while many people are unaware of what it is, and can’t exactly put their finger on what it tastes like, it’s an ingredient that you definitely need to be aware of.
Not only is the taste of this tomato sauce variant much more delicious than the real thing, but many people would argue that its texture and overall creaminess are also superior to its counterpart, which is why more and more people are beginning to use it as their go-to sauce when making a deliciously sweet recipe.
If you’re a little intrigued as to what exactly this sauce is, and how you can make it for yourself, here is everything you need to know about this underappreciated sauce which has only started becoming popular in the mainstream over the last few years.
Where Have I Tasted Robust Inspired Tomato Sauce Before?
The taste and aroma of robust inspired tomato sauce are very recognizable, and the truth is you’ve probably already tried it multiple times without realizing it because it is actually the sauce used by Domino’s for most of their pizzas.
The thick and creamy sauce is mixed with garlic and sprinkled over with a medley of different spices to ramp the heat up while allowing the flavor to jump out a lot more than usual.
Many people actually compare it to the Hearty Marinara sauce that you can choose to have on a pizza instead, and while both of them have very potent and strong tastes that are a sheer delight on the taste buds, the Hearty Marinara uses fewer spices and is therefore considered to be a lot less mild than robust inspired tomato sauce.
Additionally, heart marinara makes more use of crushed plum tomatoes which lend it a much sweeter flavor compared to robust inspired tomato sauce which relies a lot more on its spices and herbs to set it apart and make it much more of a fan-favorite among lovers of spicy pizzas.
Robust inspired tomato sauce also uses a good dose of citric acid to help each of its included ingredients stand out a little more while also balancing out the overall taste so that it never becomes too overpowering.
How Does Robust Inspired Tomato Sauce Taste?
Because of just how many different and contrasting ingredients are used to make this spin on tomato sauce, there are many ways you could describe it, but one thing that will jump out at you immediately after taking that first bite is how it balances being both zesty and extremely spicy.
However, because the sauce doesn’t use any peppers to elevate its heat, this means you won’t be getting that mouthwatering flaming-hot sensation that can turn many people away.
Instead, it’s the inclusion of cayenne and herbs which allow it to taste spicy, while still fairly mild when compared to jalapeno-based sauces for example.
It’s also hard to forget the texture of this sauce, being incredibly bold and thick while still being creamy enough so that it melts in the mouth and blends perfectly with the pizza dough, creating an explosion of flavor with each and every bite you take.
If you’re worried that this might mean that some of the sweetness is lost, fear not, as it still retains enough of a sweet flavor to make it recognizable thanks to the tomato puree, but expect it to be a lot more fiery when you take that first bite.
How To Make Homemade Robust Inspired Tomato Sauce
If this sauce sounds a little too good to be true, the best part is you don’t need to order a large pizza from Domino’s just to try it since it can be made at home fairly easily with just a handful of ingredients.
Here is what you’re going to need to get started:
Ingredients
Tomato Puree
Sugar
Salt
Cayenne Pepper
Herbs – Preferably dried basil, oregano, and marjoram
Citric Acid
Soybean oil
Vinegar
Garlic
Step 1: Heat Up The Soybean Oil In A Stock Pot
Soybean oil is the best option to use because it provides a slightly more bitter taste which compliments the sauce incredibly well and helps to keep the spiciness at an even level so that it’s never too overpowering.
Let this sizzle and warm up over medium heat in a stockpot until it begins to bubble.
Step 2: Add The Garlic
As soon as the sauce starts to boil, add in the chopped garlic and stir it around gently for one to two minutes. You want to avoid going any longer than this since it can end up burning the garlic, which is never good for the taste of the sauce.
Step 3: Mix In The Extra Ingredients
Now it’s time to add in all the other ingredients including the tomato puree which will help to make the mixture nice and thick while also giving it that slight element of sweetness that we all love tomato sauce for.
In terms of the herbs and spices, while you can throw them all in here to blend in with the flavor, if you want them to be as bold and noticeable as possible so that the sauce can be at its most flavorful, it can be a better option to add in half of them now, and then use the other half for seasoning.
Stir the ingredients around while still maintaining medium heat until the tomato sauce begins to bubble.
Step 4: Let The Sauce Simmer
As soon as the sauce begins bubbling, knock the heat down to low and let it simmer for 30 to 45 minutes, and make sure to stir the mixture every few minutes just to make sure it doesn’t become too thick and still has a smooth enough texture to layer over the food you’re hoping to mix it with.
Step 5: Add The Extra Seasoning
When the sauce is thick, warm, and ready to serve, sprinkle it over with any extra cayenne and other herbs and spices you have, and your homemade robust inspired tomato sauce will be ready to serve.
What Can You Use Robust Inspired Tomato Sauce For?
The options really are endless when it comes to using robust inspired tomato sauce, and while it is most commonly used as a delightful pizza topping, don’t be afraid to try it out as a dip accompanied by some breadsticks, or even as the core ingredient of a delicious lasagna dish.
Of course, you also don’t want to pass up on the opportunity to use it with some meat too, whether it’s chicken breast, pork, or even steak, because of how much more flavorful it is compared to regular tomato sauce, it will pack much more of a punch and will blend with any meat much better than its counterpart.
With that being said, it really can be used as a substitute for tomato sauce in every way, so feel free to use it instead and experiment with adding it to a few of your favorite recipes.
Summary
Not only is robust inspired tomato sauce easy to make, but it’s also incredibly delicious and perfect for anyone who loves a bit of spiciness added to their food, so if you’re intrigued by the taste of it and want to try it for yourself, or whip it up for a family member or friend, you can do so today with just a few basic ingredients.
Have you ever made something so delicious that you wished you could savor it forever?
Only to find that the recipe has now mysteriously vanished from your phone and the entirety of the internet. Yep, there’s not much more painful than that.
Hi, my name is Mark Williams and I have been infatuated with cooking since I was young. I would beg my mother to pull a chair up to the counter so I could watch what she was doing.
