Round Table Pizza Sauce Recipe

You know, there are some flavors that just stick in your memory. For me, the Round Table Pizza Sauce is one of them. It’s not just any sauce – it’s rich, slightly spicy, herby, and brings that signature pizza flavor to life.

Round Table Pizza is best known for their delicious pizzas, and a big part of what makes them so unforgettable is the sauce. And here’s the thing: it’s not just a dipping sauce.

They actually use this sauce as a base on the pizza itself, right before baking. It’s spread right onto the dough, topped with cheese and all the good stuff, then baked together so all those flavors melt into each other perfectly. That’s what gives it that unique taste.

The problem is, the nearest Round Table Pizza is far from my house. So even when I’m in the mood to taste their food, I can’t always go there.

That’s why I learned to make their famous sauce at home. I didn’t have to struggle much, because I found the recipe on YouTube and it was easy to follow.

Today, I’m sharing one of my all-time favorite copycat Round Table Pizza Sauce Recipe with you. It’s simple, tasty, and brings back that real pizza flavor right into your kitchen.

How Much Pizza Sauce To Use

Getting the sauce amount perfect makes a huge difference. Too much, and your pizza gets soggy. Too little, and it’s just… blah. Here’s what I learned works best:

1. For small personal pizzas (8-inch) – use about 3 tablespoons of sauce. That gives you a light coating without sogging the crust.
2. For medium pizzas (10-12 inch) – go with 4 to 6 tablespoons. Spread it evenly to the edge but leave about half an inch space for the crust.
3. For large pizzas (14-inch or more) – use around 7 to 8 tablespoons, depending on how saucy you like it.

Always spread the sauce with the back of a spoon in a circle from the middle out. This helps keep the layer smooth and even.

Round Table Pizza Sauce Ingredients

Here’s everything I use to make this sauce taste just like Round Table’s.

• Tomato Paste: 1 can (6 ounces): This is the thick, rich base. It gives the sauce its deep tomato flavor and that perfect thickness. I usually grab Hunts or Contadina – both work great. Don’t use tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes; paste is essential for that concentrated taste and texture.
• Water: 4 ounces (½ cup): This thins the paste out just enough to make it spreadable like pizza sauce. Measure it – it makes a difference! Too much water makes it thin and weak. Too little makes it gloppy.
• Onion Powder: ½ teaspoon: This adds a sweet, savory background flavor without the texture or sharp bite of fresh onions. It blends right in.
• Garlic Powder: ½ teaspoon: This gives that classic, warm garlic punch that pizza sauce needs. It’s stronger than fresh garlic here, in a good way!
• Salt: ½ teaspoon: Regular table salt is perfect. It wakes up all the other flavors and makes them pop. Taste is key, so you might adjust this slightly later.
• Sugar: ¾ teaspoon: Don’t skip this! It’s not for sweetness you taste directly. It balances the natural tangy acidity of the tomato paste perfectly, making the sauce smooth and round.
• Paprika: ½ teaspoon: This gives a warm, slightly smoky depth. It’s subtle but really important for that signature Round Table flavor.
• Cayenne Pepper: ¼ teaspoon: This is just a tiny pinch of heat. It doesn’t make the sauce spicy at all; it just adds a little warmth in the background. If you’re super sensitive, you can use just a pinch or skip it, but I think it helps.
• Celery Seed: ½ teaspoon: This is the secret weapon! It adds a unique, slightly earthy, almost savory note that makes this sauce taste different (and better!) than others. Grinding it helps release its flavor.
• Dried Basil: 1 teaspoon: This brings that classic Italian pizza sauce herb flavor. Sweet and a little peppery.
• Dried Oregano: 1 teaspoon: Oregano is the other essential pizza herb. It’s more pungent and earthy than basil. Together, basil and oregano are the heart of the sauce.

Helpful Swaps

Don’t have everything on hand? No problem! Here are some easy substitutions I’ve tried when I’m missing stuff:

1. Tomato paste: If you only have tomato sauce, use it, but cut back on the water since it’s already thinner.
2. Onion powder: Fresh onion works if you chop it super tiny. It might make the sauce less smooth, though.
3. Garlic powder: Fresh garlic is okay too. Use a small clove since it’s stronger than the powder.
4. Celery seed: You can leave this out if you don’t have it. It won’t ruin the sauce, but it adds a little magic.
5. Dried basil or oregano: Fresh herbs are great! Just use three times more (like 3 tsp) because they’re not as strong as dried.

Kitchen Appliances

1. Small bowl or saucepan: To mix everything.
2. Measuring cups and spoons: For accurate amounts.
3. Mortar and pestle (optional): To grind herbs for fresher flavor.
4. Whisk or spoon: To stir the sauce smooth.
5. Pyrex measuring cup: Handy for measuring water.

How To Make the Round Table Pizza Sauce

Step 1 | Mix the base

Open your 6 oz can of tomato paste and scoop it into a small bowl. Add 4 oz of water (I use a Pyrex measuring cup to get it exact). Stir until it’s smooth and looks like a thick sauce.

Step 2 | Add the spices

Measure out ½ tsp onion powder, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp salt, ¾ tsp sugar, ½ tsp paprika, and ¼ tsp cayenne pepper. Toss them into the bowl.

Step 3 | Grind the herbs

In a mortar and pestle, grind 1 tsp dried basil, 1 tsp dried oregano, and ½ tsp celery seed until they’re fine. This makes the flavors pop! Add them to the sauce.

Step 4 | Stir it up

Mix everything well with a whisk or spoon. Make sure there are no lumps.

Step 5 | Let it rest

For the best flavor, cover the sauce and let it sit in the fridge overnight. If you’re in a hurry, you can use it after an hour or two.

Step 6 | Taste and tweak

Before using, give it a taste. Add a pinch more salt or sugar if you like.

Chef Notes + Tips

Here are some extra tips I’ve learned making this Round Table Pizza Sauce Recipe:

• Make a double batch – this sauce keeps well in the fridge for up to 5 days. I always make extra because I use it on everything.
• The sauce tastes even better after a few days. The flavors keep developing as it sits in the fridge.
• If your sauce seems too thick after sitting overnight, add a tablespoon of water and stir. Sometimes it thickens up in the fridge.
• Don’t cook this sauce before putting it on pizza. It’s designed to cook with the pizza in the oven.
• Save empty tomato paste cans to measure your water. One 6 oz can holds about 4 oz of water when you fill it up.
• If you grow your own herbs, you can use fresh ones. Use about 3 times as much fresh as dried, but add them after the pizza comes out of the oven.
• This sauce works great for breadsticks, calzones, and even as a dipping sauce for mozzarella sticks.

Making Ahead and Scaling Up

This sauce is great for making ahead. You can make a big batch and keep it in the fridge for up to 5 days. If you want to store it longer, pour it into a freezer-safe container and freeze it for up to 2 months. Just thaw it overnight in the fridge and stir before using.

If you’re making pizza for more people, you can easily double or triple the recipe. Just remember to adjust the spices in the same ratio. It’s better to make a big batch than run out of sauce in the middle of cooking!

Round Table Pizza Sauce Recipe FAQs

1. Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of tomato paste?

You can use fresh tomatoes, but you’ll need to cook them down until they’re thick like paste. The flavor might be lighter, and you may need to add more salt and sugar to balance the taste. Tomato paste gives the sauce that strong, rich flavor just like Round Table Pizza.

2. Do I need to cook the sauce?

No, you don’t need to cook this sauce. Just mix it well and let it rest in the fridge. The flavors will blend together as it sits.

3. Can I skip the sugar?

You can, but it helps balance the acidity of the tomato paste. If you don’t like sugar, try a little honey or just use a smaller amount.

4. How long should I let the sauce rest before using?

If you have time, let it rest overnight in the fridge. But if you’re short on time, at least let it sit for an hour or two before using. The longer it rests, the better the flavor.

This Round Table Pizza Sauce Recipe has become one of my go-to sauces at home. It’s simple to make, full of flavor, and always makes my pizzas taste just right. Once you try it, you’ll see how easy and tasty it is too.

Did you make this recipe? Please leave a ⭐ rating and review!