Description
Ina Garten’s Roasted Tomato Sauce is a classic Italian-inspired sauce made by roasting fresh tomatoes with garlic, onions, and herbs until they become sweet and caramelized. After roasting, the tomatoes are blended into a smooth, rich sauce that’s perfect for a variety of dishes. The roasting process intensifies the natural sweetness of the tomatoes, making this sauce a flavorful alternative to traditional stovetop marinara.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 pounds of ripe tomatoes (such as Roma or plum tomatoes), halved
- 1 large onion, quartered
- 4 cloves of garlic, peeled
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon of sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
- Fresh basil, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare the Vegetables: Place the halved tomatoes, quartered onion, and garlic cloves on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper, dried oregano, dried thyme, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Toss everything together to ensure the vegetables are evenly coated.
- Roast the Vegetables: Roast in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the tomatoes are soft and caramelized and the onions and garlic are tender. The edges of the tomatoes should be slightly charred for added flavor.
- Blend the Sauce: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the vegetables to cool slightly. Transfer the roasted tomatoes, onions, and garlic to a blender or use an immersion blender directly on the baking sheet. Blend until the sauce is smooth and well combined.
- Simmer the Sauce: Pour the blended tomato mixture into a large saucepan. Add the sugar (if using) and bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat. Let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Serve: Once the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency, remove it from the heat. If using, stir in chopped fresh basil just before serving. The sauce can be served immediately over pasta, used as a pizza base, or stored for later use.