Homemade Roasted Tomato Sauce Recipe (easy & quick)

 This EASY and delicious roasted tomato sauce recipe is a flavorful homemade tomato sauce made with fresh tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, onions, parsley and fresh basil. It’s Vegan and gluten-free.

Roasted Tomato Sauce Recipe

There’s nothing better than a homemade tomato sauce (a.k.a. gravy) made from red ripe tomatoes from your garden. Your kitchen will invoke the aroma of roasted garlic and tomatoes and invite your family to the awareness that they’re getting a special dinner tonight!

Putting a flavorful, fresh tomato sauce on top of your al dente pasta served with freshly grated parmesan cheese and a glass of high-quality red wine is a delicacy in and of itself that Italians, and Italian cuisine enthusiasts, can truly appreciate.

As a matter of fact, I’d go as far as to say that I’m known for my homemade sauces because that’s what does the best on this website, time and time again.

This recipe is very similar to my popular Creamy Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce recipe made from red, ripe cherry tomatoes which is also very easy.

However, both of the recipes contain tomato seeds and skin which is one of the reasons they’re so easy to make- You don’t have to take the time to remove the seeds and skin. Plus, you don’t have to cook them on the stove for hours.

Therefore, this is a flavorful sauce you can make in just 45 minutes! It’ makes about one liter of delicious sauce which means you’ll have enough to use the next day or freeze for another time.

What’s more is that you can choose the thickness of your sauce.  If you prefer a chunky sauce such as a homemade marinara sauce, blend it for fewer seconds than if you want a smooth sauce. 

If you don’t like (or can’t tolerate) the tomato skin and seeds in your tomato sauce then, you’re better off making my tomato sauce made from fresh tomatoes recipe. It’s one of the top three recipes since inception for good reason!

When I visit Italy, especially in the summer, one of the things that is impossible not to notice is the freshness of the food. Whether it’s the meat or the produce, it’s ripened fresh, cooked to perfection and lightly seasoned. It’s not over salted or overly sweet. 

When you use quality, fresh ingredients, you don’t need to complicate dishes with extraneous ingredients to make a delicious dish.

When you see just how easy it is to make this delicious tomato sauce recipe, you’ll not only be amazed, you just may make it on the spot to use up your garden tomatoes.

Making your own roasted tomato sauce gives you the ability to control the sodium, sugar content, quality of ingredients and omit the preservatives. It’s healthier than store-bought pasta sauce and taste much better too. 

Homemade roasted tomato sauce tastes so FRESH! It starts with vine ripe plum tomatoes or San Marzano tomatoes. When your garden is bountiful with a lot of tomatoes, it’s the perfect time to make this recipe! 

Fresh summer tomatoes are spectacular in this recipe but, don’t sweat it if you don’t have a garden or farmer’s market nearby. Store bought plum tomatoes will work too, especially if they’re in season.

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What kind of tomatoes should I use?

It’s best to use Roma tomatoes (also known as plum tomatoes) to make tomato sauce because they hold less moisture than round tomatoes, which are best  eaten raw for salads and sandwiches. 

For this recipe, I used San Marzano tomatoes that I grew in my garden. San Marzano tomatoes are thinner and more pointed than Roma tomatoes, while Roma tomatoes are oblong-shaped.

Because San Marzano tomatoes have a stronger, sweeter, and less acidic taste than Roma tomatoes, they’re perfect for canning and making tomato sauce.

San Marzano tomatoes are named after the town of San Marzano sul Sarno in the Campania region of southern Italy. Campania is the region is which my parents were born. My mother (R.I.P.) was a fabulous home cook and that’s where I get my cooking talents and some of my traditional Italian recipes. 

Ingredients

*Get the full printable recipe in the recipe card below.

• Roma tomatoes (plum tomatoes)
• onion (use yellow, white or Vidalia for added sweetness)
• garlic
• parsley
• basil
• salt 
• black pepper

Instruction Summary

*Get the full printable recipe in the recipe card below.

In a large roasting pan, add washed ripe tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, onion, garlic cloves, fresh parsley, salt and pepper. You can add more salt and pepper at the end too.

Then roast in the oven at 425F for 35 minutes. 

Then, transfer them (juices too) to a large bowl (or blender) where you’ll puree them.

I like using my immersion blender (handheld blender) because it’s easier clean up than using my stand up blender for recipes like this. However, you can also use it to make something as common as mashed potatoes.

Additionally, using a food processor can make a mess when you remove the bowl. The liquid ends up running over the hole in the bowl onto your counter, cabinets and floor.

As I’ve mentioned above, if you prefer a chunky sauce, such as a homemade marinara sauce, blend it for fewer seconds than for a smooth sauce. 

Then, add some chopped fresh basil, more salt and pepper if you think it needs it. 

That’s it! How easy is that? This recipe is ready in 45 minutes with 10 minutes of prep and 35 minutes of cooking time. 

 

While the sauce is delicious as is, cooking it down a bit enhances the flavors even more. Pour the blended tomato mixture into a large saucepan and place it over medium heat.

Let the sauce simmer for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. As the sauce simmers, it will thicken slightly, and the flavors will meld together beautifully.

If you like your sauce on the spicier side, sprinkle in some red pepper flakes while the sauce simmers. You can roast other vegetables along with the tomatoes to add more depth to the sauce. Bell peppers, mushrooms, and diced carrots work well in this easy roasted tomato sauce.

Storage and Freezing

One of the best things about making tomato sauce is that tomato sauce freezes well. Therefore, you can enjoy the flavors of summer in the dead of winter.

If you have leftovers, let the sauce cool completely and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

For longer storage, you can freeze the sauce. Pour the sauce into freezer-safe containers with tight fitting lids to keep out frost, and freeze for several months. When you’re ready to use it, simply thaw the sauce in the refrigerator overnight and reheat it on the stove.

Fresh tomato sauce isn’t just for pasta, use it as a dipping sauce for cheesy garlic bread or put it on a meatball sub or Italian Sausage Sandwiches. This roasted tomato pasta sauce would be incredible on homemade pasta or homemade gnocchi or homemade ravioli!

Making your own amazing roasted tomato sauce with ripe summer tomatoes for the first time is quite a culinary experience. You’ll wonder why you hadn’t done it sooner!

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Creamy Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce

Italian Tomato Sauce with Fresh Tomatoes (no skin and seeds)

Authentic Italian Sunday Gravy Recipe (Tomato Sauce) + VIDEO

Easy Creamy Roasted Cherry Tomato Soup + VIDEO

How to Make Tomato Pasta Sauce Less Acidic with Simple Ways

See more ITALIAN recipes.

I took this recipe to Weekend Potluck.