Seasonings for Pizza, Garlic Bread, and Bread Dipping
Garlic, oregano, basil and a little red pepper turn plain bread, pizza and pasta into something that tastes like your favorite Italian restaurant. The same pantry blends can season the sauce, the crust, the cheese, the dipping oil and the finished slice. This guide covers Savu Birra's three bread and pizza blends, where and how much to use them, and recipes for restaurant-style dipping oil, crispy garlic bread, homemade pizza sauce, and more.
Shop bread and pizza seasonings
Bread Dipping Seasoning Mix makes an instant appetizer: just add olive oil and warm bread. Garlic Bread Seasoning and Italian Pizza Seasoning round out an Italian night at home.
The three blends compared
| Blend | What's in it | Salt | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bread Dipping Mix | Garlic, onion, black pepper, crushed red pepper, oregano, basil, parsley, thyme, rosemary | Contains sea salt | Olive oil dip, pasta, pizza, roasted vegetables |
| Garlic Bread Seasoning | Garlic, oregano, basil, marjoram, parsley | Contains sea salt | Garlic bread, garlic knots, buttered pasta, vegetables |
| Italian Pizza Seasoning | Premium paprika, oregano, minced onion, red pepper flakes, basil, fennel seed, thyme, parsley | No salt listed | Pizza sauce, tomato sauce, meatballs, sausage, flatbreads |
All three have no added sugar. Because Italian Pizza Seasoning has no salt in its ingredient list, you control the salt in your sauce.
Where to add seasoning
Layering gives the fullest flavor without overdoing it:
- In the sauce: a little pizza seasoning simmered into tomato sauce.
- On the crust: brush the edge with olive oil mixed with Garlic Bread Seasoning.
- To finish: a light sprinkle of Bread Dipping Mix or pizza seasoning after baking.
Avoid a full dose in the sauce, on the cheese and on the crust all at once, especially with salty cheese and toppings.
Recipe: restaurant-style bread dipping oil
Serves: 2 to 4.
- Spoon 1 to 2 teaspoons Bread Dipping Seasoning Mix onto a small plate.
- Pour 1/4 cup good extra-virgin olive oil over it. Let it stand 5 minutes so the herbs and garlic hydrate.
- Optional: add a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and a little grated Parmesan.
- Serve with warm crusty bread, and stir before each dip because the herbs settle.
Make dipping oil fresh for each meal. Refrigerate leftovers promptly and use within 4 days, or freeze. Dried garlic and herbs don't make oil shelf-stable; see Oregon State Extension's guidance.
Recipe: crispy garlic bread
- Heat the oven to 400°F. Mix 4 tablespoons softened unsalted butter with 2 teaspoons Garlic Bread Seasoning. Let it sit 10 minutes so the garlic hydrates.
- Split a baguette or Italian loaf lengthwise and spread the butter evenly to the edges.
- Bake cut side up 8 to 10 minutes until golden at the edges. For cheesy garlic bread, add 1 cup shredded mozzarella for the last 5 minutes.
Watch closely under a broiler; garlic and herbs can scorch in seconds.
Recipe: easy homemade pizza sauce
Makes: enough for two 12-inch pizzas.
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 to 2 teaspoons Italian Pizza Seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Simmer everything for 10 minutes, or stir together and let stand 30 minutes for a fresher, uncooked sauce. Taste and adjust salt, remembering the cheese and toppings add more.
Recipe: 15-minute flatbread pizzas
Heat the oven to 425°F. Spread 1/4 cup sauce on each of 2 flatbreads or naan, top with 1/2 cup mozzarella each and your favorite toppings, and sprinkle each with 1 teaspoon Italian Pizza Seasoning. Bake about 10 minutes until crisp and melted.
Recipe: garlic knots
- Cut 1 pound pizza dough into 12 pieces, roll each into a 7-inch rope and tie in a knot.
- Bake on a lined sheet at 400°F for 15 to 18 minutes until golden.
- Meanwhile, melt 3 tablespoons butter with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 1/2 teaspoons Garlic Bread Seasoning. Toss the hot knots in the butter and top with Parmesan.
Beyond bread and pizza
- Pasta: toss hot spaghetti with olive oil, Bread Dipping Mix and Parmesan for a 10-minute dinner.
- Meatballs and sausage: add 2 teaspoons Italian Pizza Seasoning per pound of ground meat, plus salt.
- Roasted vegetables: toss zucchini, tomatoes or potatoes with oil and Garlic Bread Seasoning.
- Popcorn: melted butter, Garlic Bread Seasoning and Parmesan.
- Vinaigrette: whisk 1 teaspoon Bread Dipping Mix with 3 tablespoons oil and 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar.
- White beans: warm cannellini with olive oil and Bread Dipping Mix for an easy side.
A gift idea
A bottle of Bread Dipping Seasoning Mix with a bottle of good olive oil and a fresh loaf makes an easy hostess or holiday gift. See our Spice Gift Guide for more.
Frequently asked questions
How much bread dipping seasoning per cup of oil?
About 1 to 2 teaspoons per 1/4 cup oil, or 1 to 2 tablespoons per cup. Taste and adjust.
Can I use Garlic Bread Seasoning on pizza?
Yes. It's great brushed on the crust with olive oil, or sprinkled over a white pizza.
Is Italian Pizza Seasoning spicy?
It has a little warmth from red pepper flakes, but it's mild overall.
Why does my garlic bread taste bitter?
The garlic or herbs burned. Bake at a moderate temperature and keep a close eye under the broiler.
Find your next cooking idea
Explore more Recipes & Cooking Guides, organized by food, flavor, and pantry choice.
Explore more from Savu Birra
Browse the complete bread and pizza seasonings collection. Related reading: What Is Granulated Garlic? and Top 20 Spices, Flavor Profiles, and Uses.
