Marco’s Pizza is a popular pizza chain in the United States that offers a variety of pizza toppings and crust flavors. One of their signature toppings is Roma seasoning, which consists of a blend of Italian herbs and spices. Customers can order it as a topping on any Marco’s pizza.
Roma seasoning adds a robust, zesty flavor to Marco’s pizzas. It contains a mixture of oregano, basil, garlic, fennel, rosemary, and other herbs and spices. The blend provides a tangy, savory taste that enhances the flavor of cheese, sauce, and other toppings. Roma seasoning is slightly spicy but also has some sweetness from the basil and fennel.
What is Roma Seasoning Made Of?
The exact recipe for Roma seasoning used at Marco’s Pizza is proprietary information. However, based on the flavor profile, we can infer some of the main ingredients that likely go into this zesty blend:
– Oregano – A pungent, aromatic herb that gives Roma seasoning its distinctly Italian taste. Oregano has a slight bitterness and peppery quality.
– Basil – Provides sweetness and a freshly aromatic scent. Basil complements the other herbs.
– Garlic – Adds an earthy, pungent background note. Garlic’s sulfury compounds give the blend depth.
– Fennel – Has a licorice-like aroma that accentuates the sweetness. The anise nuances balance against the other herbs.
– Rosemary – Supplies woodsy, pine-like undertones. Rosemary adds texture and richness.
– Thyme – Brings grassy, minty notes. Thyme contributes to the seasoning’s overall savory appeal.
– Salt – Draws out the flavors of the dried herbs and spices.
– Black pepper – Provides a touch of heat and spike of piquancy.
– Onion powder – Rounds out the flavor with onion/chive-like tones.
– Marjoram – Has a delicate, lemony-mint taste that brightens up the blend.
The proportions of each ingredient may vary, but oregano, basil, garlic, and fennel seem to be the core components that make Roma seasoning instantly recognizable. Overall, the mix of herbs creates an authentic Italian flavor profile.
Roma Seasoning’s Use in Other Marco’s Menu Items
In addition to being a pizza topping, Roma seasoning at Marco’s can be added to a variety of other menu items:
– Baked Subs – Roma seasoning can be added to any of Marco’s signature baked subs for extra flavor. The seasoning pairs especially well with meatball, Italian, ham & cheese, or chicken parm subs.
– Cheesy Bread – Marco’s cheesy bread sticks are topped with a blend of Italian herbs, likely including Roma seasoning. The blend adds zest to complement the melted cheese.
– Chicken Wings – Customers can order chicken wings with Roma seasoning sprinkled on top. The zesty blend adds robust flavor to the crispy fried wings.
– Salads – Roma dressing is available as a salad dressing choice. The tangy Italian spices liven up garden salads.
– Desserts – For an extra punch of flavor, customers can request Roma seasoning added to cinnamon sticks or other dessert items.
So beyond just being a pizza topping, Marco’s utilizes Roma seasoning in creative ways across appetizers, main dishes, and desserts to keep the menu exciting. The versatile Italian spice blend adds instant flavor to anything it touches.
How Popular is Roma Seasoning?
Roma seasoning appears to be one of the most popular specialty toppings ordered at Marco’s Pizza based on customer reviews and menu recommendations:
– Online reviews frequently mention Roma seasoning as a stand-out topping choice. Customers call out its zesty, addicting flavor.
– Multiple online food blogs and review sites list Roma seasoning as a “can’t miss” Marco’s topping option to try.
– On Marco’s Pizza menu boards, Roma seasoning is typically featured prominently as a highlighted signature topping. This positioning implies its popularity amongst customers.
– Employees at various Marco’s locations report that Roma seasoning is requested as an add-on topping “all day long”. They consider it a staple.
– Marco’s offers the “Spice it Up” deal which allows customers to add Roma seasoning to any pizza for free, suggesting they want to promote and upsell it.
– Photos shared on social media of customized Marco’s pizza creations often include Roma seasoning as an added topping.
While Marco’s does not share exact sales figures on toppings, Roma seasoning appears to have a cult following based on customer feedback. The zesty blend of Italian herbs and spices provides a bold, addictive flavor that keeps Marco’s fans coming back for more.
How Marco’s Sources and Prepares Roma Seasoning
To maintain consistent flavor and quality across hundreds of locations, Marco’s Pizza takes care in how they source and handle Roma seasoning:
– Sourced from select suppliers – Marco’s likely partners with herb and spice vendors to purchase proprietary ingredient blends. The suppliers follow Marco’s formula.
– Dried herbs – For optimal flavor, herbs like oregano and basil are dried fully before blending. This concentrates their essential oils.
– Batch mixing – Marco’s produces large batches of the Roma seasoning blend at a time for distribution efficiency.
– Quality control – Samples from batches are tested to ensure correct formulation and prevent inconsistencies.
– Packaged in stores – Workers at Marco’s locations portion Roma seasoning into shakers or cups for use on pizzas.
– Stored properly – To preserve freshness, Roma seasoning is likely stored in cool, dry areas and checked for expiration dates.
– Applied just before baking – Employees sprinkle on Roma seasoning right before the pizza goes in the oven so it doesn’t burn during baking.
– Consistent training – Marco’s thoroughly trains employees on using the right amount of seasoning per pizza for optimal coverage and taste.
Through careful supplier selection, controlled prep methods, and employee training, Marco’s achieves the signature taste customers expect from Roma seasoning across all restaurants.
Nutrition Facts of Roma Seasoning
Roma seasoning is a low-calorie way to add big flavor to your food. Here is the nutrition breakdown for a 1 teaspoon (0.7g) serving of Roma seasoning:
| Calories | 2 |
| Total Fat | 0 g |
| Sodium | 74 mg |
| Total Carbs | 0.5 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
As shown in the table, Roma seasoning is very low in calories, fat, carbs, and protein. The only moderate nutritional element is the sodium content. Since the blend contains salt and garlic powder, that accounts for the 74mg of sodium per serving.
Overall, this makes Roma seasoning an ideal way to add lots of aromatic Italian flavor to pizzas and other dishes with minimal impact on nutritional values. Just a dash of the zesty herb blend packs a palate-pleasing punch.
Health Benefits
Beyond just providing bold flavor, some of the herbs in Roma seasoning offer potential health benefits:
– Oregano – Contains antioxidants that may help fight bacteria and inflammation. Oregano has been used traditionally to aid digestion.
– Basil – Provides antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. Basil may help protect body cells from damage.
– Garlic – Has antioxidant, antiviral, and antimicrobial effects. Garlic can help boost immunity and heart health.
– Rosemary – Has an antioxidant called carnosic acid shown to help protect the brain and improve cognition.
So sprinkling on some Roma seasoning not only makes your pizza taste amazing, but it may offer nutritional benefits from its blend of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory herbs. More research is still needed to confirm some of these effects.
Roma Seasoning Alternatives and Substitutes
While Roma seasoning has a unique flavor profile, you can approximate it with a mix of common dried Italian herbs if needed:
| Substitute | Ratio |
|---|---|
| Dried oregano | 2 parts |
| Dried basil | 2 parts |
| Dried thyme | 1 part |
| Dried rosemary | 1 part |
| Garlic powder | 1 part |
| Dried parsley | 1 part |
| Fennel seed | 1/2 part |
| Crushed red pepper | 1/4 part |
Mix together the dried herbs in the listed proportions to closely mimic the taste of Roma seasoning. You can adjust the amounts of each ingredient to suit your tastes.
Other Italian herb blends like an Italian seasoning mix can also substitute for Roma seasoning in a pinch, though the flavor won’t be an exact match. Or try sprinkling on a combination of garlic powder, dried oregano, dried basil, and crushed red pepper.
How to Make Homemade Roma Seasoning
To recreate the Roma seasoning taste at home, combine the following ingredients:
– 1⁄4 cup dried oregano
– 3 tablespoons dried basil
– 2 tablespoons garlic powder
– 1 tablespoon fennel seed
– 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
– 1 teaspoon dried thyme
– 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
– 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
– 1⁄2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
Blend together all the dried herbs, spices, and seasonings until well-incorporated. For best flavor, use dried herbs rather than fresh. Store the homemade blend in an airtight container away from moisture, heat, and light.
Sprinkle the homemade seasoning on pizzas, pastas, salads, meats, and vegetables. Start with 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 teaspoon per serving and adjust amounts to taste. Make sure to use within a few months before the dried herbs and spices lose potency.
With this easy homemade recipe, you can create a close match to Marco’s famous Roma seasoning to sprinkle on all your favorite foods for authentic, zesty Italian flavor.
Tips for Best Results
– Use dried herbs rather than fresh for a stronger, concentrated flavor
– Let the mixture sit overnight before using to allow flavors to develop
– Rub or crush the herbs between your fingers before blending to release essential oils
– Add a pinch of citric acid powder to brighten up the citrus notes
– Store in the freezer to preserve the oils and prevent fading
– Double or triple the recipe and make a big batch so it’s always on hand
Where to Buy Roma Seasoning
If you don’t have time to create a homemade version, you can purchase Roma seasoning at some grocery stores or online:
Grocery Stores
– Walmart – Carries Badia brand Roma seasoning in the spice aisle.
– Kroger – Many locations sell Kroger brand Italian seasoning blend.
– Albertson’s – Look for Albertson’s own Italian herb blend near other spices.
– Meijer – Carries Sigma brand Italian seasoning that mimics Roma flavor.
– Winn Dixie – Sells Roma seasoning blend from elite/gourmet food brand Epicure.
Online Sites
– Amazon.com – Carries Badia, Epicurean, and Spicely brand Roma seasoning blends.
– Walmart.com – Offers Great Value brand Italian seasoning available for delivery.
– WebstaurantStore.com – Sells Roma seasoning shakers from brands like Casino and Taylor.
– Target.com – Look for Simply Organic and McCormick brand Italian herb mixes.
Check the ingredient labels and descriptions to find a store-bought blend closest to Marco’s Roma seasoning. The Badia brand seasoning seems to come the closest based on reviews. Or make your own blend using the recipe above!
Conclusion
Roma seasoning is the secret weapon that makes Marco’s pizza so craveable. This zesty, Italian herb and spice blend adds instant flavor to pies as well as salads, wings, subs, and more on the Marco’s menu. Fans rave about Roma seasoning’s unique mix of oregano, basil, garlic, fennel, and other herbs. While the exact recipe is proprietary, the combination of dried Italian herbs creates a hearty, robust seasoning blend you can approximate at home. Just a sprinkling of this flavor powerhouse can make any dish pop with authentic Italian taste. Roma seasoning’s popularity proves that Marco’s fans just can’t get enough of this irresistible topping.