Thick Pizza Sauce (Made with Tomato Paste)
This thick, no-cook pizza sauce is made with tomato paste for a smooth, spreadable texture that works perfectly on homemade pizzas. With simple pantry ingredients and just a few minutes to mix, it’s an easy way to add rich, balanced flavor without any extra effort.
I originally started making this sauce to go along with the soft mini pizzas I was making for my toddler. I wanted something simple, thick, and easy to spread that would give that same smooth, slightly sweet flavor without a lot of extra work.
After a bit of trial and error, this version ended up being exactly what I was looking for—and now I use it for all kinds of homemade pizzas, not just the mini ones.
I hope you enjoy this recipe! ❤️ If you give it a try, please let me know how it turned out for you in the comments section at the bottom of the page or share a pic of your om noms on Instagram and tag @dishesanddustbunnies! ❤️
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This thick pizza sauce comes together in minutes with no cooking required. It has a smooth, spreadable texture and balanced flavor that works especially well for simple homemade pizzas. Made with basic pantry ingredients, it’s an easy go-to you can mix up anytime.
What Is This Thick Pizza Sauce Like?
This sauce is thick and smooth with a spreadable consistency rather than thin or runny. It has a balanced flavor with a slight sweetness and a mellow tomato taste.
Because it’s thicker, it sits nicely on the dough without soaking in, making it especially good for soft-style pizzas.
Be sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of the post for full ingredients & instructions!
How to make Thick Pizza Sauce – Overview
You can find the full recipe details, including ingredient amounts and the full instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post, but first, here's a quick overview of how to make thick pizza sauce!
This sauce comes together by simply mixing everything in a bowl—no cooking required. Start with tomato paste, then stir in olive oil, seasoning, and a bit of sugar to balance the flavor.
A small amount of baking soda helps smooth out the acidity and gives the sauce a milder taste. Keep it thick and spreadable, adding just a little water if needed, and adjust the seasoning to your taste before using.
Recipe Variations & Substitutions
This sauce is very flexible and easy to adjust based on your taste. You can add a little more sugar if you prefer a slightly sweeter sauce, or adjust the salt and seasoning to suit your preference.
If you like a looser consistency, you can add a small amount of water, but keeping it thick works best for most homemade pizzas—especially when you want to avoid sogginess.
You can also tweak the seasoning by adding garlic powder or onion powder if you want a bit more flavor, but the simple version keeps it smooth and mild, which works especially well for basic cheese pizzas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why add baking soda to pizza sauce?
Baking soda helps reduce the acidity of the tomato paste, creating a smoother, more balanced flavor.
Do I need to cook this pizza sauce?
No, this is a no-cook sauce. Just mix everything together and it’s ready to use.
How thick should this sauce be?
It should be thick and spreadable rather than pourable. This helps it stay in place on the dough and prevents sogginess.
Storage, Reheating & Freezing
Store the sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Give it a quick stir before using, as it may thicken slightly.
For longer storage, you can freeze it in small portions for up to 2–3 months. Thaw in the fridge when needed and stir before using.
What Can I Serve This With?
This sauce works especially well on soft mini pizzas, giving them that smooth, slightly sweet flavor and thick texture that spreads easily without making the dough soggy.
It’s also great for homemade pizzas of any kind, whether you’re making a quick lunch, flatbread-style pizzas, or using it as a base for simple weeknight meals.
Other Recipes You'll Enjoy
This kind of sauce fits right in with a lot of the simple, everyday recipes on the site—especially other sauces, easy dinners, and low-effort meals where you want something homemade without adding extra steps.
Thick Pizza Sauce (Made with Tomato Paste)
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: ~½–¾ cup
Description
A thick, smooth pizza sauce made with tomato paste and simple pantry ingredients. No cooking needed—just mix and use.
Ingredients
- 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1–2 tbsp water (optional, as needed)
- 1–2 tsp sugar (to taste)
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½–1 tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Add the tomato paste and olive oil to a bowl and stir until combined.
- Add sugar, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Mix well.
- Stir in the baking soda. The sauce will lighten slightly in color as it reacts.
- If needed, add a small amount of water (about 1 tablespoon at a time) to loosen slightly, but keep the sauce thick and spreadable.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Use right away or store in the fridge until ready to use.
Notes
This is a thick, concentrated sauce—closer to spreadable than pourable
Use little to no water for best results, especially for soft mini pizzas
Baking soda helps reduce acidity and smooth out the flavor
Slightly sweeter than traditional pizza sauce, which works well for simple cheese pizzas
Mix and adjust to taste—this is an easy, flexible recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Sauce, Condiment
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
