Traditional, tomato-based pizza sauce is delicious, but it's far from the only option. If you're ready to add more variety to your homemade pies, consider experimenting with one of these unique pizza sauce recipes. Below, you'll even find topping suggestions to pair with each sauce.

Homemade Pesto Sauce

If you've ever had pesto on pasta, you know how rich and delicious this basil-based sauce can be. To make a homemade pesto that's suitable for pizza, you'll need:

• ¼ cup olive oil
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves, packed loosely
• 1 tablespoon pine nuts
• 1 ounce parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 clove of garlic

Combine the ingredients in a food processor, and process until smooth. If the pesto appears too thick to easily spread over a pizza crust, add an additional tablespoon or two of olive oil.

Some delicious pizza toppings to accentuate your pesto sauce include:

• Mozzarella cheese, pre-cooked chicken, and sautéed onions
• Cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, bacon, and mushrooms
• Provolone cheese and pre-cooked, thinly sliced steak

Roasted Red Pepper and Zucchini Sauce

Brimming with the flavor of roasted red peppers, this sauce is also a very healthy choice as it contains plenty of veggies. It has to simmer down for an hour, so make sure you plan ahead. You'll need:

• 1 large, fresh red peppers
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium zucchini, grated
• 1 small onion, minced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ¼ cup chicken stock
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon salt
• A pinch of white sugar

Slice the peppers in half, and remove the seeds. Brush them with the olive oil, place them on a baking sheet, and roast them in a 400 degree F oven for about 20 minutes or until the skins begin to blister. When the peppers are cool to the touch, cut them into thin slices and place them in a saucepan with the remaining ingredients.

Bring the mixture to a simmer, and let it simmer on low heat for about an hour. Use an immersion blender to puree the sauce until it reaches your desired consistency. Then, use it as desired to top your pizza.

Some great toppings to combine with this sauce include:

• Fresh mozzarella cheese, capers, and prosciutto
• Pepper jack cheese and bacon
• Pre-cooked chicken, spinach, and feta cheese

Pizza sauce does not have to be red to be delicious. Perhaps one of these sauces will become your new family favorite.

For delicious local pizza, visit a restaurant like Greg's Pizza.