3 Best Sweet Pizza Sauces to Try at Home Without a Mess

Truthfully, spicy and tangy sauces activate our taste buds with a jolt, without a question. However, sweet pizza sauces introduce a gentle, palatable melody of flavors to your pie. Scientifically, our brains are wired to prefer sweet tastes from birth; it’s associated with energy-rich foods. 

So whenever you feel “That” pang of fatigue from the same old tangy and spicy pizza sauces, why not tweak your preferences and experiment with your pies using some of the best sweet pizza sauce recipes? I mean, I’ve been there, where drowning my pizza in those zesty marinara or fiery Arrabbiata sauces was a routine. 

Now, place yourself in my position and imagine a pizza slice layered with caramelized onion and tomato sauce, balancing sweet notes and pizza goodness! It’s definitely a delightful twist for your taste buds. So, with that said, I am sharing my top 3 homemade sweet pizza sauce recipes to rejuvenate your pizza experience 

Top 3 Best Sweet Pizza Sauces to Try at Home Without a Mess!

There are tons of options to customize a regular pizza sauce into a sweet one and top chefs have also released their famous sauces for users who want to go outside regular spicy and tangier sauces. However, I am pushing these 3 sauces due to their easy formation at home;

• Sweet Basil Tomato Sauce
• Caramelized Onions and Tomato Sauce
• Roasted Red Peppers and Tomato Sauce

1. Classic Sweet Basil Tomato Sauce

Ingredients: 

• Tomatoes: 500 grams or around 4 medium-sized tomatoes – These are the core ingredients for our pizza sauces. Choose high-quality tomatoes like San Marzano for the required body and richness.
• Fresh Basil: 10 grams or about 10-12 leaves – For a fresh aroma and lightness in the sauce.
• Honey or Maple Syrup: 30 grams or 2 tbsp – A natural sweetener that balances the acidity of the tomatoes. You can also use other artificial sweeteners if you’re aiming for a low-carb sauce.
• Garlic: 8 grams or 2 cloves, minced – Adds depth and gives the sauce the flexibility to complement the sweetness.
• Olive Oil: 5 grams or 1 tbsp – Helps in sautéing and brings a smooth, velvety texture to the sauce.

Nutritional Values (Approx. Per 50g): 

• Kcal: 30
• Fats: 1.5g
• Sugar: 3g
• Protein: 0.5g
• Carbs: 4g
• Sodium: 5mg

How Do You Make It: 

Start by Heating the Oil: I always prefer olive oil over regular cooking oil as it’s a better medium for cooking ingredients, imparting a subtle fruitiness that forms the base note of our sauce. Begin by heating olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat; this ensures that subsequent ingredients like garlic release their essential oils and flavors more effectively into the sauce. 

Sauté the Garlic: Warm olive oil is an excellent medium for capturing and carrying the aromatic compounds from the garlic throughout the sauce, ensuring a uniform flavor. Heat the garlic until it’s just golden (not browned) to mellow its pungency. 

Add the Tomatoes: Your sweet pizza sauce depends on this step. Introduce the tomatoes right after sautéing the garlic; this ensures they meld with the garlic-infused oil. As they simmer, they transform from raw fruit to a rich, cohesive sweet pizza sauce. 

Balance the Acidity with Honey/Maple Syrup: The simmering process can introduce a tangy note, which is the natural acidity of the tomatoes coming through. To turn a classic tangy tomato sauce into a sweeter one, incorporate honey or maple syrup. If you want to maintain keto-friendly properties, use artificial sweeteners with low carb content. 

Add Basil as the Finishing Touch: Towards the end, add basil as our finishing ingredient to give a herby touch to the sauce. 

Key Takeaways from This Recipe: 

• Be mindful of not overheating the garlic.
• Nothing fancy with the ingredients; just patience is required.
• Quick and easy to prepare, making homemade pizza night a breeze.

Who This Is Best For: Those who prefer a change from the traditional tangy tomato sauce, those who enjoy a hint of sweetness in their dishes, sandwich and pasta lovers, beginners. 

Who Should Avoid It: Individuals with diabetes who are conscious about sugar intake, those who prefer spicy or tangy sauces 

Best Sweet Pizza Sauce Brands

• Rao’s Homemade Tomato Basil Sauce: Not in a mood to try this at home, this ready-to-use sauce if my first choice. It combines sweet, slow-simmered tomatoes with the fresh flavors of basil without the honey or maple sweetness. Instead it has a natural sweetness from the tomatoes themselves.
• Bertolli Vineyard Premium Collections Marinara with Burgundy Wine: It’s unique as a surprise due to the addition of burgundy wine that gives it a subtle sweet note. In a case you don’t know what Wine does, it’s much like our honey/maple addition, balances out the acidity of tomatoes.
• Classico Sweet Basil Marinara: it comes with basil for sweet herbaceous notes. Actually it isn’t exactly with the honey/maple touch, it leans more on the sweeter side of the marinara spectrum, making it a great alternative.

2. Caramelized Onion & Tomato Sauce

Ingredients:

• Onions: 250 grams or around 2 medium-sized onions, thinly sliced – A core ingredient. Caramelization will turn them into a deep, sweet flavor, which forms the sauce’s backbone.
• Brown Sugar/Balsamic Vinegar: 2 tsp or around 10 grams – Both agents expedite the caramelization process and make the sweet pizza sauce sweeter. Brown sugar brings out a sweeter profile, while balsamic vinegar adds a subtle tangy sweetness.
• Tomatoes: 400 grams or around 4 medium-sized tomatoes (chopped) – Tomatoes and sweet onions make a deadly combo. Tomatoes balance the onion’s sweetness with their acidity notes, forming superb sauce body and texture.
• Garlic: 2 cloves or around 6-8 grams (minced) – Garlic adds depth to the flavor.
• Butter: 2 tsp or around 10 grams – Want to give your homemade sweet pizza sauce a chef-style silky finish? Butter does it.

Nutritional Values (Approximate per 50g): 

• Kcal: 35
• Fats: 1.5g
• Sugar: 4g
• Protein: 0.5g
• Carbs: 5g
• Sodium: 5mg

How Do You Make It: 

Start with Onions: Thinly sliced onions are essentially layers of sugars and other compounds. When exposed to slow heat, the sugar content weakens and starts breaking down into fine caramelization. Slow cooking ensures even caramelization without burning the onions. The darker the onions turn, the deeper their flavor profile becomes, but don’t let them burn; aim for a golden-brown hue. 

Treat with Brown Sugar/Balsamic Vinegar: These sweeteners serve two purposes in the making of the sweet pizza sauce recipe. Firstly, they take caramelization to the next level, intensifying the sweetness. Secondly, they introduce a new layer of flavor. 

The addition of brown sugar and balsamic vinegar gives the sauce a sweet-tangy touch. You can choose one to pick only one flavor profile. For example, brown sugar furnishes a molasses-like undertone which I really like, while balsamic vinegar, being acidic, adds a tangy kick. So, sweet or tangy or both; you get the logic here. 

Let’s Get Further with Tomatoes: As tomatoes are inherently acidic, they heavenly contrast with the deep sweetness from the onions. Simmering will help tomatoes release their juices that’ll mingle with the caramelized onions. The moisture content of tomatoes will not only create a beautiful blend of flavors but also introduce the needed moisture to transform the mix into a sauce-like consistency. 

Garlic and Butter Finish the Work: While garlic gives that background savoriness depth of flavor and makes the sauce more aromatic, butter makes the whole mixture seamless and harmonious with its incredible ability to tie up the flavors. In case you wonder how professional chefs give a silky touch to their sauce, it’s the butter – the hero of the story. 

Key Takeaways from this Recipe: 

• Deep and complex flavor profile.
• Great versatility in choosing between sweet or tanginess.
• Simple ingredients but feels like a restaurant-quality dish. 

Best For: Users who like a gourmet twist on their dishes, anyone wanting to try a different sauce base, lovers of sweet-savory combos. 

Who Should Avoid: Diet-conscious people, especially those hesitant about sugar, classic sauce lovers. 

Best Sweet Pizza Sauces Brand

• Classico Caramelized Onions & Roasted Garlic Pasta Sauce: It’s primarily for pasta. However, its depth and richness could also be great on pizza, making it a versatile sweet pizza sauce choice. I really like the deep flavors of caramelized onions combined with the aromatic punch of roasted garlic.
• Dave’s Gourmet Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce: It’s a little mystery when I see it as butternut squash, but also incorporates tomatoes, onions, and garlic. The sweetness of the squash paired with onions can replicate that caramelized onion depth you’re seeking in a ready-to-go sweet pizza sauce.
• Rao’s Homemade Sensitive Marinara Sauce: While not onion-centric, but still you can enjoy its rich, layered flavors. The Sensitive version excludes garlic and onions for those with sensitivities, but you might find other Rao’s varieties that lean into the sweet, caramelized onion profile.

3. Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato Sauce

Ingredients: 

• Roasted Red Peppers: 150 grams or 3/4 cup – Roasted peppers have intensified natural sweetness and a peppery flavor, adding depth to the sauce.
• Tomatoes: 300 grams or about 2 medium-sized tomatoes, diced – Tomatoes are the base for our sauce due to their natural acidity and moisture, which help balance the sweetness of the roasted peppers.
• Sugar or Honey: 10 grams or 2 teaspoons – Used as a sweetener to neutralize the acidity of the tomatoes and boost the sweetness of the peppers, creating a balanced flavor profile.
• Garlic: 5 grams or 1 large clove, minced – Used as a medium to add depth and a slight kick to the sauce so it doesn’t become overly sweet.
• Smoked Paprika: 2 grams or 1/2 teaspoon – For smoke lovers, it enhances the roasted flavor and brings out a rustic aroma.

Nutritional Values (per 50 grams): 

• Kcal: 28
• Fats: 0.2g
• Sugar: 4g
• Protein: 1g
• Carbs: 7g
• Sodium: 4mg

How Do You Prepare It: 

Roasting the Red Peppers: This step is significant for making a sweet pizza sauce with a smoky flavor. Start by exposing the red peppers directly to a flame or high heat until the outer skin becomes charred. 

Roasting the red peppers allows the natural sugars in the peppers to caramelize, creating intense sweetness. This also softens the flesh, making it easier to blend with the tomatoes. Additionally, charring the peppers brings a smoky depth to the sauce, perfect for smoke lovers. 

Sautéing the Garlic: Cook the garlic until it’s aromatic but not browned. This is a crucial step. Sauté it over medium heat until it turns golden in hue. 

Combining Tomatoes and Peppers: Simmer the diced tomatoes and add the roasted peppers to the simmering mixture. Both tomatoes and peppers are fruits from the nightshade family, which means they share certain chemical compounds that work harmoniously when combined. The natural acidity of tomatoes superbly contrasts the sweetness of the roasted peppers, resulting in a well-rounded flavor profile. 

Seasoning with Sugar/Honey and Smoked Paprika: Add sugar or honey to the sauce to neutralize the acidity and enhance the overall palatability. Smoked paprika is used to elevate the smoky undertones from the roasted red peppers. This step gives the sauce a rounded, aromatic, and flavorful profile. 

Key Takeaways from This Recipe: 

• Roasting the peppers is crucial.
• Don’t forget to balance the sweetness with honey or sugar.
• Smoked paprika sets the sauce apart.

Best For: Those who enjoy a sweet and smoky flavor profile, perfect for BBQ-themed pizzas, rustic toppings lovers. 

Who Should Avoid It: Those who prefer a traditional tangy tomato base without sweetness, and individuals who are sensitive or allergic to bell peppers. 

Sweet Pizza Sauce Brands:

• Barilla’s Sweet Peppers Pasta Sauce: I like a delightful blend of red peppers and sun-ripened tomatoes of this sauce. Surely, when you are not in the mood of preparing the sauce at home, it’s a great quick fix for pizza nights, offering a taste quite similar to homemade.
• Classico’s Fire Roasted Tomato and Garlic Sauce: While it leans more on the tomato side, the fire-roasting method used imbues the sauce with a smoky depth. Individuals like me who look for that charred note in their pizza sauce, you certainly get in this sweet pizza sauce.
• Bertolli’s Rustic Cut Roasted Garlic Marinara with Garden Vegetables: Though primarily a marinara, the roasted garlic provides a smoky undertone, and the mix of garden vegetables, including red bell peppers, offers a sweetness to the palate. It’s a more textured sauce, perfect for those who love chunkier toppings.

The Bottom Line:

If you were to ask me which sweet pizza sauce I prefer the most, I would choose the Roasted Red Peppers and tomato sauce due to its smoky flavor and great texture. However, for those who want more room for customization, the classic sweet tomato sauce is the perfect choice