Best of Flavor Insights: Sauce Makes the Pizza

Rather than default to the old adage, “the secret’s in the sauce,” it might be more appropriate—though hardly as snappy—to say the unique selling proposition is in the sauce. Few ingredients pack the concentrated flavor power of sauces. And when expertly applied, they can transform an ordinary dish into a one-of-a-kind offering that stands apart from the competition. In the pizza category, red and white and maybe green (pesto) sauces are usually the default, but creative opportunities abound in thinking beyond the tricolor standards. Pizza, after all, is the ultimate trend carrier.

A handful of menu concepts featured in Best of Flavor 2025 validated this strategy. The pizzas in question boast a number of intriguing components, with the sauce setting the stage for further flavor innovation. Read on for three “secret” sauces with unique selling propositions.

1Thousand Island

Right away, the Thousand Island sauce differentiates the Big Max Pizza from Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream from the usual pie. Tangy, pickled flavors aren’t new to pizza builds; longstanding toppings like banana peppers, pepperoncini and olives (and to a certain extent, sourdough crusts and more acidic marinara sauces) bring a contrasting kick to a savory dish. But by transforming Thousand Island dressing into a sauce that’s applied as a base and a finishing drizzle, the Big Max expands the tang, making it not an accent but rather a main player in the overall flavor experience.

The build is rounded out by American cheese, seasoned beef, onion, pickle slices and lettuce, leading the brand’s director of culinary and training Ashley Balluff to describe it as a burger on a pizza. “Using unique ingredients is part of our everyday process, so this was right in our wheelhouse,” she says.

2Ranch

Midwesterners have long appreciated the magic of dunking pizza into a side of ranch dressing—and the rest of the country is catching on. Ranch can cool both the temperature and spicier flavors, while also introducing a creamy mouthfeel. Nevertheless, ranch tends to stay on the sidelines as an optional accoutrement, like garlic sauce or marinara. At Toppers Pizza, the dressing-turned-sauce might not be the first element guests notice in The Pickle, but it’s just as crucial as the namesake ingredient. Ranch’s mild tang complements the pickles’ sour notes and its rich creaminess, along with mozzarella cheese, provides a counterweight to the overall pungency.

Bacon and a dill garnish introduce smoky, earthy notes and herbaceous freshness, respectively. “The combination of creamy ranch, smoky bacon and bright pickles creates a craveable contrast of textures and tastes,” says Brian Brindza, director of culinary and menu innovation. “It’s a pizza that delivers layers of bold, balanced flavors—savory, smoky, tangy and creamy—all in one bite.”

3Tikka Masala

Leave it to Mountain Mike’s to find menu inspiration at the highest altitudes. In a move somewhat reminiscent of the more familiar jerk chicken pizza, the brand leans into global heat, beginning with the tikka masala sauce in its Spicy Himalayan Pizza. That flavor profile is carried over to the protein, which features tikka masala-marinated chicken. It’s undoubtedly a bold build, but the sauce might be the most daring of all, with notes of garam masala, coriander, cumin and turmeric spread across the pie, infusing every bite with baking spice savoir.

The tikka masala sauce and chicken are joined by mozzarella, mushrooms, onions, jalapeños and cilantro to impart earthiness, freshness and an extra dose of heat. “The Spicy Himalayan finds this balance through the use of both rich and savory ingredients like the tikka masala sauce, combined with the fresh, vibrant flavor of cilantro,” says Bryan Oakes, culinary innovation manager.