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The Ultimate Little Caesars Crazy Sauce Recipe

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You know that moment. You bite into Little Caesars Crazy Bread. Then you dip it in that thick, garlicky red sauce. Pure magic.

Little Caesars Crazy Sauce isn’t like other pizza sauces. It’s thicker. More garlicky. Has this unique flavor that keeps you coming back for more.

The third largest pizza chain in America behind Domino’s and Pizza Hut knows what they’re doing. This sauce has been perfecting tastebuds since 1959.

But here’s the secret. You can make it at home. Better than the original. Fresher ingredients. No preservatives. Just pure crazy good flavor.

What Makes Little Caesars Crazy Sauce Special

Real Little Caesars Crazy Sauce is different from regular marinara. Way different.

It’s thick enough to coat a spoon. Not watery like most pizza sauces. It clings to bread. Doesn’t run off your food.

The garlic hits you first. Not subtle. Bold. In your face garlic flavor. Then comes the herbs. Oregano. Basil. Thyme.

There’s a slight sweetness too. Just enough to balance the tomatoes. Makes it taste rounder. More complete.

The texture is key. Most pizza sauces are thin. Runny. This sauce has body. Weight. It feels substantial in your mouth.

Little Caesars makes theirs fresh in store. No preservatives needed. Just pure ingredients mixed together. That’s why it tastes so clean.

The secret? They use crushed tomatoes and a special spice blend. Plus way more garlic than anyone else dares to use.

What You Need for Homemade Little Caesars Crazy Sauce

Here’s your shopping list. Simple ingredients. Big flavor.

For the sauce:

  • 1 can (30 oz) tomato sauce
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 3 tablespoons fresh minced garlic
  • 2 tablespoons fresh oregano (or 1 tablespoon dried)
  • 1½ tablespoons fresh basil (or 1 tablespoon dried)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or ½ teaspoon dried)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon sugar

Equipment you’ll need:

  • Large mixing bowl (for no-cook method)
  • Whisk
  • Fine knife for mincing
  • Storage containers

The tomato sauce is your base. Get the smooth kind. Former employees remember using crushed tomatoes. But tomato sauce works better at home.

Fresh garlic makes all the difference. The jarred stuff works. But fresh garlic gives you that bold flavor punch.

Tomato paste thickens everything up. Makes it coating consistency. Don’t skip it.

Pro tip from a former employee: They never cooked it. Just mixed everything cold. Let the fridge thicken it up.

How to Make Little Caesars Crazy Sauce

Here’s the insider secret. Former Little Caesars employees say they never cooked the sauce. They mixed it cold. Let the fridge do the work.

The No-Cook Method (Most Authentic)

Step One: Prep your fresh herbs. Wash and mince them fine. You want them to blend into the sauce.

Step Two: In a large bowl, mix tomato sauce and tomato paste. Whisk until completely smooth. No lumps.

Step Three: Add your minced garlic. All of it. Don’t be shy. This sauce is supposed to be garlicky.

Step Four: Whisk in oregano, basil, thyme, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and sugar. Mix until completely combined.

Step Five: Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Better overnight. The herbs hydrate. Flavors meld together.

Step Six: Stir again before serving. The sauce will have thickened in the fridge. That’s exactly how Little Caesars does it.

The Cooked Method (If You Prefer)

Step One: Follow steps 1-4 above, but use a saucepan instead of a bowl.

Step Two: Heat on medium-low for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally. Let flavors develop.

Step Three: Remove from heat. Cool completely. Refrigerate before serving.

Both methods work. The no-cook method is more authentic. Former employees say that’s how they really made it.

Getting the Little Caesars Crazy Sauce Flavor Right

This is where most copycat recipes fail. They don’t use enough garlic.

Little Caesars goes heavy on the garlic. Really heavy. That’s what makes their sauce unique. Don’t hold back.

The sugar is crucial. It balances the acid from the tomatoes. Doesn’t make it sweet. Just rounds out the flavor.

Fresh herbs matter. Dried herbs work fine. But fresh herbs give you more vibrant flavor. Closer to the original.

Salt brings everything together. Taste before and after adding salt. You’ll see what a difference it makes.

The tomato paste is your thickener. Add more if you want it thicker. Less if you want it thinner.

What to Use Little Caesars Crazy Sauce On

Crazy Bread is obvious. That’s what it was made for. Thick bread sticks dipped in thick sauce.

But don’t stop there. This sauce works on lots of things.

  • Pizza dipping is amazing. Little Caesars sells it as a pizza dip for £3.99 with Crazy Bread. Use it at home too.
  • Breadsticks love this sauce. Any breadsticks. Homemade or store-bought. It makes them special.
  • Mozzarella sticks get a whole new life. This sauce is perfect for dipping cheese.
  • Garlic bread becomes incredible. Brush it on before baking. Or serve it on the side.
  • Even pasta works. This sauce is thick enough to coat noodles. Makes a quick dinner.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Keeping It Fresh

This sauce keeps well in the fridge. About 1 week in a covered container. No preservatives means shorter shelf life.

The sauce thickens in the fridge. That’s normal. Don’t thin it out. That’s how it’s supposed to be.

Batch Cooking Benefits

Make a big batch. This sauce freezes great. Pour it into freezer bags. Lay them flat to save space.

Single serving portions work well. Freeze in ice cube trays. Pop out cubes when you need them.

The sauce tastes better the next day. The flavors have time to blend together. Plan ahead.

Serving Temperature

Serve it cold or room temperature. Never hot. That’s not how Little Caesars does it. Cold sauce is the authentic way.

Pro Tips for Crazy Sauce Perfection

Garlic Game

  • Use fresh minced garlic for best flavor
  • Don’t burn the garlic – keep heat medium-low
  • More garlic is better – this sauce should be bold

Texture Tricks

  • Tomato paste is key for thickness
  • Don’t over-thin with water
  • Let it cool completely for proper consistency

Flavor Building

Fresh herbs make a huge difference. Toast dried herbs lightly before adding. Taste and adjust throughout cooking.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Ingredient Issues

  • Don’t use marinara sauce – it’s too thin and has wrong flavor
  • Don’t skip the tomato paste – you need that thickness
  • Don’t use too little garlic – this sauce should be garlicky

Cooking Problems

  • Don’t cook on high heat – you’ll burn the garlic
  • Don’t serve it hot – it changes the flavor profile
  • Don’t rush the simmering – flavors need time to develop

Storage Slip-ups

Don’t leave it out at room temperature. Don’t expect it to last as long as store sauce. Don’t serve it hot.

Making It Your Own

This recipe gets you the classic flavor. But you can customize it.

Heat Adjustments

Want some spice? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Or some cayenne pepper. Little Caesars keeps it mild. You don’t have to.

Flavor Variations

Some people add a splash of red wine. It adds depth. Makes it more complex.

Others add fresh parsley at the end. Gives it color. Fresh flavor.

A pinch of Italian seasoning works too. Rounds out the herb blend.

Texture Changes

Like it smoother? Blend it after cooling. Makes it restaurant-smooth.

Want it chunkier? Use crushed tomatoes instead of sauce. More authentic to the original recipe.

The Little Caesars Legacy

Little Caesars has been perfecting this sauce since 1959. Started as a small family business. Now they’re the third biggest pizza chain in America and expanding worldwide too.

Making it at home connects you to that legacy. You’re not just following a recipe. You’re recreating a piece of pizza history.

The techniques matter. The ingredients matter. When you do it right, you’re making something special.

That’s the beauty of great sauce. It’s not just flavor. It’s memory. Tradition. Connection.

This Little Caesars Crazy Sauce brings all of that to your kitchen. One garlicky, perfect spoonful at a time.

Yield: 3 Cups

Little Caesars Crazy Sauce Recipe

Little Caesars Crazy Sauce Recipe

Little Caesars Crazy Sauce is a thick, garlicky pizza sauce that's perfect for dipping bread or pizza. This copycat recipe recreates the iconic Little Caesars flavor with fresh ingredients and no preservatives.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Additional Time 32 minutes
Total Time 42 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 can (30 oz) tomato sauce
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 3 tablespoons fresh minced garlic
  • 2 tablespoons fresh oregano, minced (or 1 tablespoon dried)
  • 1½ tablespoons fresh basil, minced (or 1 tablespoon dried)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or ½ teaspoon dried)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon sugar

Instructions

  1. Prep herbs. If using fresh herbs, wash and finely mince them.
  2. Start the base. Pour tomato sauce into medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Let it warm up.
  3. Mix everything cold. Add oregano, basil, thyme, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and sugar. Whisk until completely combined.
  4. Refrigerate overnight. Cover and chill for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. The herbs will hydrate and flavors will meld.
  5. Stir before serving. Give it a good mix. The sauce will have thickened in the fridge - exactly like the original.

Notes

  • Serve cold: Little Caesars serves this sauce cold or room temperature, never hot.
  • Garlic is key: Don't reduce the garlic - that's what makes this sauce special.
  • Thickness matters: Should coat the back of a spoon when done.
  • Storage: Keeps 1 week refrigerated. Freezes well in portions.
  • Perfect for: Crazy bread, pizza dipping, breadsticks, mozzarella sticks, or garlic bread.
  • Fresh vs dried: Fresh herbs give better flavor, but dried works if that's what you have.

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