When you are ordering pizza, which sauce do you choose?
Will it be a marinara sauce like what at Pizza Hut or crushed tomatoes?
So which one is better and can they be used interchangeably?
Let’s take a closer look at these two ingredients in this post below.
What is special about Pizza Hut marinara?

Pizza Hut is a famous restaurant chain founded by Dan and Frank Carney in 1958 in the United States.
The signature dish of this franchise is pizza, as the name implies, along with other fast-food items like burgers, pasta, or desserts.
Pizza Hut often uses the marinara sauce for their pizza to provide bright red color and a flavorful taste thanks to the use of various ingredients like garlic, onions, herbs, and olives besides tomatoes.
However, since it is a big supply that serves millions of customers, they are not likely to have time to make fresh marinara sauce.
Pizza Hut marinara is often bought processed with a secret recipe.
What is special about crushed tomatoes?

Crushed tomatoes are tomatoes that have been diced and then mixed with a tomato puree, either fresh or canned.
This means in crushed tomatoes, you will have both pieces of tomatoes and the sauce.
Crushed tomatoes are perfect for a variety of recipes, including soups, stews, pasta, or as a base for many baking recipes.
All you need is a blender, food processor, and/or a sharp knife with some fresh tomatoes to have freshly produced crushed tomatoes.
Otherwise, you can opt for processed crushed tomatoes that are canned or bottled and sold in any grocery store or supermarket across the country.
What are the differences between Pizza Hut marinara sauce and crushed tomatoes?
Marinara sauce and crushed tomatoes are both popular, but they have some key differences that are mentioned in the comparison table below:
Pizza Hut marinara sauce | Crushed tomatoes | |
Ingredients | Tomatoes, herbs, garlic, onions, capers, and/or a dash of wine | Diced tomatoes and tomato puree |
Flavor | Often more flavorful due to various ingredients used in the recipe | Milder, acidic |
Type | Often processed | Homemade recipes usually call for freshly made crushed tomatoes |
What are the similarities between Pizza Hut marinara sauce and crushed tomato?
In fact, there are more similarities between Pizza Hut marinara sauce and crushed tomatoes rather than differences.
Here are the main things in common between these two ingredients:
Pizza Hut marinara sauce and crushed tomatoes are two tomato-based ingredients with the same texture and color
It is obvious that both are made from tomatoes.
Tomatoes are the main ingredients to make either marinara sauce or crushed tomatoes, with or without other elements.
Both of them have the same bright red color of tomatoes and the texture of the sauce and small chunks of tomatoes.
Pizza Hut marinara sauce and crushed tomatoes are packed with vitamins and minerals
Since being mainly made from tomatoes, Pizza Hut marinara sauce and crushed tomatoes are both packed with plenty of vitamins and minerals.
Tomatoes are a rich source of vitamin A, C, K, E, as well as potassium, folate, and lycopene.
These properties are very beneficial to our heart health and general health too.
Pizza Hut marinara sauce and crushed tomatoes are widely used in different recipes and cuisines
Another thing in common between marinara sauce and crushed tomatoes is that they are widely used in a variety of recipes, such as stewing, baking, making pizza, and soups.
They are not only a staple ingredient in Italian cuisine but also in many other parts of the world.
Pizza Hut marinara sauce and crushed tomatoes can be fresh or canned
Last but not least, these two ingredients can be made from scratch with fresh ingredients only.
Otherwise, they are also available in the processed form.
You can find a can of marinara sauce or crushed tomatoes from any grocery store or supermarket without any fuss.
These store-bought items are often packed with more sodium and preservatives, so you better have a proper diet with pre-made marinara sauce or crushed tomatoes.
Which one is better?
Product Comparison | 365 by Whole Foods Market, Organic Marinara Pasta Sauce, 25 Ounce | 365 by Whole Foods Market, Tomatoes Crushed No Salt Added Organic, 15... |
Product Image | ![]() | ![]() |
Rating | (based on ) | (based on ) |
Latest Price | Check Current Price | Check Current Price |
The debate between marinara sauce and crushed tomatoes is one that has been around for a while.
Some people swear by the benefits of using crushed tomatoes, while others find that marinara sauce gives their pizza the perfect flavor profile.
The answer to the question of which one is better is actually subjective and depends on personal preference.
So just opt for Pizza Hut marinara sauce or crushed tomatoes as long as you find them perfect for your dish.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. When you purchase an item from Amazon through one of my links, I receive a small commission at no added cost. This helps support the site!