This marks pizza sweet sauce recipe will be your new favorite if you want pizza with a strong, sweet, and tasty sauce! This sauce consistently produces pizza-quality results thanks to its ideal combination of natural sweetness from honey and brown sugar, rich tomato flavor, and a touch of tart balsamic vinegar.
It’s wonderful for homemade pizza, dipping, or pasta because it’s rich, silky, and nicely seasoned. What’s the best part? Using basic cupboard ingredients, it’s quite simple to prepare!
Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Will Make You Loveable
✔ Ideally Sweet & Tangy : The honey and brown sugar enhance the tomatoes’ sweetness.
✔ Thick & Rich: This sauce has a silky, smooth consistency rather than being runny.
✔ Packed with Flavor : Layers of garlic, oregano, basil, and a touch of balsamic create a deep, well-rounded taste.
✔ Versatile : Ideal for pasta sauce, pizza, calzones, and dipping breadsticks!
✔ Made-Ahead Friendliness : Perfect for quick pizza evenings stores nicely in the refrigerator or freezer!
If you love homemade pizza, make sure to pair this sauce with the perfect pizza dough for the ultimate combination.
Ingredients
Key Components:
- The foundation for a thick and creamy sauce is a 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes.
- Tomato Paste: Provides thickness and depth.
- The key to that very sweet taste is honey and brown sugar.
- Olive oil: Contributes to the sauce’s richness.
Flavors and Seasonings: Flavor Boosters
- Black pepper and salt are necessary for equilibrium.
- Classic Italian herbs for real taste are dried oregano and basil.
- Onion and garlic powders provide depth without being overbearing.
- Red Pepper Flakes (Optional) If you like some heat, a slight kick will come from these.
- A little sour richness to accentuate the sweetness is balsamic vinegar.
👉 The complete ingredient list with measurements is in the recipe card below!
For a thicker sauce with bold tomato flavors, you can check out Panera’s Tomato Soup Recipe, which uses similar ingredients.
Making Mark’s Pizza Sweet Sauce: Techniques
Start with Sautéing the Tomato Paste
- In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, warm olive oil.
- Add the tomato paste and swirl for one to two minutes until it deepens in color; caramelizing adds richness.
Second: Create the Sauce
- Add the smashed tomatoes and mix well.
- Add all the ingredients: honey, brown sugar, and balsamic vinegar, and stir.
Third Step: Simmer for Ideal Flavor
- Lower heat to low and, stirring now, let the sauce simmer for 25 to 30 minutes.
- Taste and change seasoning or sweetening as necessary.
Fourth Step: Cool and Store
- Take off from the heat and let it cool just slightly before using.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to one week or freeze them for extended storage.

Once your sauce is done, use it for homemade pizzas, dipping breadsticks, or as a base for pasta dishes like this Marry Me Pasta.
Expert Advice for the Perfect Sweet Pizza Sauce
✔ Let It Simmer: The taste gets richer the longer it simmers!
✔ Change the Sweetness: Like it sweeter? Add somewhat extra brown sugar or honey. Would you like it tangier? Slightly increase the balsamic vinegar.
✔ For a velvety, restaurant-style texture, mix your Smoother Sauce with an immersion blender.
✔ Make It Spicy: Add more red pepper flakes for a little heat to counter the sweetness.
✔ Use Quality Tomatoes: This sauce will be transformed by a good-quality San Marzano or organic crushed tomato.
How Would One Use This Pizza Sauce?
This thick and sweet pizza sauce goes especially nicely with:
🍕 Classic Cheese Pizza expertly balances the flavorful mozzarella.
Sausage pizza or pepperoni breaks through the spice and saltiness in terms of sweetness.
🍕 BBQ Chicken Pizza deepens the barbecue taste.
This is a dipping sauce for breadsticks, perfect for garlic knots or cheesy bread.
Toss this with spaghetti to create a sweet, garlicky red sauce.
Bonus Tip: For an extra kick of taste, brush the crust with a bit more sauce before baking!
Make Ahead and Organization and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Reference: Fridge – Stow in an airtight container for up to one week.
Freeze little amounts for up to three months.
Repetition
Warm slowly over low heat on the hob, stirring now and then.
Freeze; defrost overnight in the fridge, then reheat.

Frequencies of Ask Questions
Could I reduce the sweetness of this sauce?
Definitely yes. Cut the honey and brown sugar slightly or toss in more balsamic vinegar for a more balanced taste.
Could I substitute fresh tomatoes with canned ones?
Sure! Combine four to five fresh tomatoes and cook longer to cut more moisture.
How might one thicken the sauce?
Stir in another spoonful of tomato paste or let it boil longer to thicken naturally.
Can I have pasta with this sauce?
Definitely! Pasta, meatballs, and even lasagna are great. Just change the sugar level to suit you.
Conclusion
For those who enjoy a little bit more taste in every bite, our Mark’s Pizza Sweet Sauce is robust, rich, and exactly sweet. This sauce brings the enchantment of pizzeria-style sweetness right into your kitchen, whether your recipe calls for a basic cheese pizza, dipping breadsticks, or even tossing it with pasta.
You never will settle for store-bought sauce once you try it! 🍕🔥
Enjoy, and be glad you are preparing pizza! 😊

Copycat Mark’s Pizza Sweet Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 6 oz can tomato paste
- 3 tbsp brown sugar adjust to taste
- 1 tsp honey for extra sweetness
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes optional, for a mild kick
- 1/2 cup water to adjust consistency
Instructions
Step 1: Sauté Garlic
- Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
Step 2: Mix the Sauce
- Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, brown sugar, honey, onion powder, oregano, basil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Add water and stir until well combined.
Step 3: Simmer for Flavor
- Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Taste and adjust sweetness or seasoning as needed.
Step 4: Cool & Use
- Let cool slightly before spreading on pizza dough.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Notes
Prefer a tangy kick? Stir in 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar.
For a smooth sauce, blend after cooking.