Tomato Sauce with Sugar and Olive Oil

Introduction

You ladle smooth tomato sauce over rolled dough, cover it with a handful of sugar until the surface looks white, and finish with a light drizzle of olive oil if you want a richer bake. It takes 5 minutes and gives you a sweeter pizza sauce that works well when your tomato sauce tastes sharp or acidic.

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 can smooth tomato spaghetti sauce or pasta sauce
• 1 handful sugar
• Extra-virgin olive oil (optional)

Instructions

1. After rolling out dough, ladle on sauce as directed by the pizza recipe.
2. Grab a handful of sugar, and sprinkle it over the sauce until the surface of the sauce becomes white but you can see the crystals dissolving.
3. Drizzle with olive oil if desired.

Variations

• Reduce the 1 handful sugar to half a handful if you want a brighter, less sweet tomato flavor.
• Replace the smooth tomato spaghetti sauce or pasta sauce with smooth plain tomato sauce for a cleaner tomato taste and less built-in seasoning.
• Skip the Extra-virgin olive oil if you want the sauce layer to bake a little drier and let the cheese brown faster.
• Change the sprinkling step by stirring the sugar into the sauce before ladling it onto the dough; that gives you a more even sweetness across the whole pizza.

Tips for Success

• Use a thin, even layer when you ladle on sauce so the crust does not turn soggy in the center.
• Stop adding sugar when the surface looks white and the crystals start dissolving; more than that can flatten the tomato flavor.
• Stick with a smooth sauce so it spreads evenly over the rolled dough without tearing it.
• If you use olive oil, drizzle lightly so it coats the surface without pooling.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months, leaving a little space at the top for expansion.

Stir before using again. You can warm it in a small saucepan over low heat for 3 to 5 minutes, or microwave it in short bursts until loosened; it also works straight from the fridge if you are spreading it on pizza dough.

FAQ

How much of this sauce should you use on one pizza?

Use enough to make a thin, even layer that leaves a small border around the edge. Too much sauce makes the center heavy and slows browning.

Can you use plain tomato sauce instead of spaghetti sauce?

Yes. Plain tomato sauce gives you a simpler base and usually tastes less seasoned than pasta sauce.

Do you need the olive oil?

No. The oil mainly softens the flavor a bit and adds a slightly richer finish after baking.

Can you make this ahead?

Yes. Mix or assemble the sauce up to 4 days ahead and keep it refrigerated in an airtight container until you need it.