Pizza night feels good when the crust is warm and the cheese melts just right, but the sauce makes everything come together.
A good pizza sauce recipe is important for a great homemade pizza. Many people think plain tomato paste with a little salt and pepper is enough for sauce. It might work for a quick fix, but the taste does not match a pizza shop flavor. A good sauce is not always easy to find, and it can change the whole pizza.
The round table pizza sauce recipe has a bold taste, a warm spice mix, and a smooth texture. People enjoy this sauce because it has a rich tomato base with a bit of heat that stays on the tongue.
Some pizza sauces lean sweet or mild, but this one leans toward a zesty style. It brings flavor without covering the taste of the crust and toppings.
Taking time to prepare this sauce brings a strong payoff. Pizza fans who enjoy trying new pizzas often look for different sauces, but there is no need to search for more when this version of Round Table Pizza Sauce gives depth and warmth in every spoonful.
The sauce tastes great on a fresh pizza slice, and it also works well for dipping. When a slice touches this sauce, the heat and spice stay in the mouth for a while.
This copycat Round Table Pizza Sauce helps anyone create the same flavor at home.
How Much Pizza Sauce to Use
Getting the right amount of sauce on your pizza matters a lot. Too much sauce makes your dough soggy. Too little sauce makes the pizza dry. Here’s what works best:
- Small Pizza (8-10 inches): Use about 3 tablespoons or 1/4 cup of sauce
- Medium Pizza (12-14 inches): Use about 1/3 cup or 5 tablespoons of sauce
- Large Pizza (16-18 inches): Use about 1/2 cup or 8 tablespoons of sauce
- Extra Large Pizza (20 inches): Use about 2/3 cup or 10 tablespoons of sauce
The way you spread sauce is just as important as how much you use. Get yourself any spoon. A spoon with a flat base works best. When you put sauce on your pizza, don’t use too much.
Place the sauce right in the center of your pizza. Now here’s the important part. Hold the spoon correctly. Place the end part between your thumb and your index finger. Lay it down in the center. This lets you steer the spoon with your other fingers.
Gently move the spoon in a circle. Steer it as you go around. Don’t touch the outer rim of the dough. Leave about an inch around the edge with no sauce. This gives you a nice crust. The sauce should spread evenly across the middle part.
How to Select the Tomatoes for Your Pizza Sauce
Picking the right tomato product is the base of your sauce. For this round table pizza sauce recipe, you need tomato paste, not fresh tomatoes or canned whole tomatoes.
Tomato paste is thick and concentrated. It gives you deep tomato flavor without adding too much liquid to your sauce.
When you shop for tomato paste, look in the canned goods section. Most stores carry several brands. Hunt’s tomato paste is my top choice. It has a smooth, thick texture that mixes well with spices. The flavor is rich and slightly sweet.
Contadina tomato paste also works great. Some people notice it has a bit more texture. Both brands come in 6-ounce cans, which is exactly what you need for this recipe.
Avoid tomato paste in tubes. The texture is different and it costs more. Stay away from tomato sauce or tomato puree. These are too watery for pizza sauce.
Round Table Pizza Sauce Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- Tomato Paste (6 oz): The thick, concentrated base of the sauce, giving rich tomato flavor. Avoid tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes; they are too watery.
- Water (4 oz / 1/2 cup): Thins the tomato paste to the perfect sauce consistency. Helps spices mix evenly. Exact measurement is key – too much makes it watery, too little makes it hard to spread.
Flavor & Seasoning Ingredients
- Onion Powder (1/2 tsp): Adds sweet, savory onion flavor. Dissolves completely in the sauce, leaving no chunks. Granulated onion works too, but fresh onion isn’t recommended, as it changes texture and flavor.
- Garlic Powder (1/2 tsp): Gives the classic pizza flavor. Smoothly blends into the sauce. Granulated garlic works the same. Avoid garlic salt to prevent making the sauce too salty.
- Salt (1/2 tsp): Enhances the tomato flavor and balances sweetness. Regular table salt is preferred over kosher salt, which measures differently and can make the sauce overly salty.
- Sugar (3/4 tsp total): Balances tomato acidity and adds slight sweetness. Makes the sauce more flavorful and rounded. White granulated sugar is best; you can reduce slightly, but don’t skip entirely.
- Paprika (1/2 tsp): Adds color and a mild, sweet pepper flavor. Makes the sauce visually appealing and richer in taste. Regular paprika is recommended; smoked paprika alters the intended flavor.
- Cayenne Pepper (1/4 tsp): Adds a subtle heat that lingers on the tongue. Start with 1/4 teaspoon, adjusting later to taste. Crushed red pepper can work, but cayenne gives better results.
- Dried Basil (1 tsp): Classic pizza herb with a sweet, slightly minty flavor. Use dried leaves only; fresh basil doesn’t provide the same taste or blend properly in this sauce.
- Dried Oregano (1 tsp): Adds earthy, slightly bitter flavor that balances sweetness. Use dried oregano leaves; avoid Italian seasoning, which contains multiple herbs and can change the sauce flavor.
- Celery Seed (1/2 tsp): Secret ingredient that adds earthy, slightly bitter notes for depth and complexity. Enhances overall flavor. Found in spice aisles; do not skip, as it makes the sauce unique.
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
- Medium mixing bowl – For combining all ingredients
- Measuring spoons – Must measure spices exactly right
- Liquid measuring cup – A 1-cup Pyrex works great
- Can opener – To open tomato paste can
- Mortar and pestle – To grind the herbs fine
- Spoon or whisk – For mixing everything smooth
- Storage container – Airtight jar or bowl with lid
How to Make Round Table Pizza Sauce
Step 1 | Combine the Base
Open the can of tomato paste and scoop it into a medium mixing bowl. Measure exactly 4 ounces (½ cup) of water and pour it in. Use a spoon or whisk to stir until the paste and water blend into a smooth sauce. Keep mixing until the color looks lighter and even.

Step 2 | Grind the Herbs
Add 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, and ½ teaspoon celery seed to your mortar. Use the pestle to gently grind the herbs for about 30 seconds. You’re not making powder, just slightly breaking them down to release more flavor.

Step 3 | Add the Dry Spices
To the tomato mixture, add ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ¾ teaspoon sugar, ½ teaspoon paprika, and ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper. Be careful with the cayenne since it’s strong.

Step 4 | Mix Everything Together
Pour the ground herbs into the bowl. Stir everything well for at least 2 minutes. Make sure the spices are fully blended and the sauce looks smooth and evenly colored.

Step 5 | Let the Sauce Rest
Cover the sauce and place it in the fridge to rest overnight. This helps the flavors blend and deepen. If you’re short on time, let it sit for at least 1–2 hours, but overnight gives the best taste.

Step 6 | Store and Use
Use the sauce on your pizza as needed. One batch covers about two medium pizzas or one large pizza. Store leftovers in the fridge for later use.

Tips for Getting the Real Round Table Taste
- Patience is Key: Do not skip the resting time. Letting the sauce sit for many hours or overnight makes a huge difference in the flavor.
- Adjust the Heat to Your Liking: The cayenne amount gives a mild kick, but everyone’s taste is different. After the sauce rests, taste it and add a tiny pinch more if you want extra heat. Go slow so it doesn’t become too spicy.
- Keep Your Spices Fresh: Fresh spices make a huge difference. If your herbs smell weak or dusty, they won’t give strong flavor. Try to replace dried spices every six months for the best taste.
- Don’t Add Extra Liquid: Stick to the exact 4 ounces of water. Adding more will make the sauce too thin and cause it to slide off the pizza instead of staying rich and thick.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
You can keep this sauce in a closed container in the refrigerator. It will stay good for up to one week. This sauce is not made for freezing. The texture can become watery when it thaws. It is best to make it fresh and use it within a few days.
You do not need to reheat the sauce before using it. You can spread it cold right onto your pizza dough before baking.
Serving Suggestions and Pizza Pairing Ideas
This Round Table pizza sauce works with any pizza. It’s perfect on classic pepperoni, as the spicy sauce complements the meat. It also works on a simple cheese pizza or veggie pizza with mushrooms, bell peppers, and onions.
For a supreme pizza, the sauce’s flavor still stands out even with lots of toppings.
You can also use it on pizza variations like flatbread or naan for a quick meal, or as a dipping sauce for breadsticks and mozzarella sticks.
Some even thin it with a little water to toss with pasta – it’s not traditional, but it tastes great. It works well on pizza rolls and hot pockets too.
Round Table Pizza Sauce Recipe FAQs
1. Can the sweetness level be adjusted?
Yes. Sugar can be reduced or increased slightly based on taste preference while keeping the core flavor intact.
2. Do I have to use a mortar and pestle for the herbs?
You don’t have to use a mortar and pestle, but it helps. Grinding herbs releases their oils, giving your sauce stronger flavor and aroma. If you don’t have one, you can add herbs straight to the sauce – it will still taste good, just a bit milder.
Another option is to crumble them between your fingers, which also helps release some of their flavor.
3. Can I double or triple this recipe?
Yes, you can easily double or triple this recipe. Just multiply all ingredients – tomato paste, water, and spices – by two or three. One batch makes enough for two medium pizzas, a double batch for four, and a triple batch for six.
Extra sauce freezes well, making meal prep easy. Prepare a big batch, freeze in portions, and you’ll always have ready-to-use pizza sauce whenever you want.
4. My sauce seems too thick. What should I do?
If your sauce is too thick to spread easily, you can fix it. Just add one more tablespoon of water and stir it in. Keep adding water one tablespoon at a time until it is the consistency you like.
Round Table Pizza Sauce Recipe
Make bold and zesty Round Table Pizza Sauce in 10 mins prep. Smooth tomato base with warm spice, perfect for homemade pizzas.
Ingredients
- Tomato Paste – 6 oz (1 can)
- Water – 4 oz (½ cup)
- Onion Powder – ½ tsp
- Garlic Powder – ½ tsp
- Salt – ½ tsp
- Sugar – ¾ tsp
- Paprika – ½ tsp
- Cayenne Pepper – ¼ tsp
- Dried Basil – 1 tsp
- Dried Oregano – 1 tsp
- Celery Seed – ½ tsp
Instructions
- Open the can of tomato paste and scoop it into a medium mixing bowl. Measure exactly 4 ounces (½ cup) of water and pour it in. Use a spoon or whisk to stir until the paste and water blend into a smooth sauce. Keep mixing until the color looks lighter and even.
- Add 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, and ½ teaspoon celery seed to your mortar. Use the pestle to gently grind the herbs for about 30 seconds. You’re not making powder, just slightly breaking them down to release more flavor.
- To the tomato mixture, add ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ¾ teaspoon sugar, ½ teaspoon paprika, and ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper. Be careful with the cayenne since it’s strong.
- Pour the ground herbs into the bowl. Stir everything well for at least 2 minutes. Make sure the spices are fully blended and the sauce looks smooth and evenly colored.
- Cover the sauce and place it in the fridge to rest overnight. This helps the flavors blend and deepen. If you’re short on time, let it sit for at least 1–2 hours, but overnight gives the best taste.
- Use the sauce on your pizza as needed. One batch covers about two medium pizzas or one large pizza. Store leftovers in the fridge for later use.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size: (per 2 tbsp serving)Amount Per Serving: Calories: 25Total Fat: .2gSodium: 120mgCarbohydrates: 5gSugar: 3gProtein: 1g
This round table pizza sauce recipe brings strong flavor, warm spice, and a smooth tomato base that works well on many pizza styles.
It offers a steady way to enjoy a bold sauce at home without trouble or searching for other versions.