Imagine transforming ordinary vegetables into a mouthwatering sauce that will make your taste buds dance with delight! This Roasted Tomato and Pepper Sauce is not just another pasta topping – it's a culinary adventure that elevates your home cooking from mundane to magnificent. With just a few simple ingredients and some oven magic, you'll create a sauce so rich, so flavorful, that your family and friends will be begging you to reveal your secret recipe.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 60 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 6 ripe tomatoes, halved
- 2 red bell peppers, sliced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This temperature will help to caramelize the vegetables, enhancing their natural sweetness.
- While the oven is heating, prepare your vegetables. Halve the ripe tomatoes and place them cut-side up on a large baking sheet. Slice the red bell peppers into strips and add them to the baking sheet as well.
- Chop the onion into small pieces and scatter them over the tomatoes and peppers on the baking sheet. This will add depth of flavor to the sauce.
- Peel and mince the garlic cloves. You can either sprinkle the minced garlic over the vegetables on the baking sheet or add it later in the cooking process to prevent it from burning.
- Drizzle the olive oil over the vegetables, ensuring they are well-coated. This will help them roast evenly and add richness to the sauce.
- Season the vegetables with salt and black pepper to taste. This is your opportunity to enhance the flavors, so feel free to adjust according to your preference.
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast the vegetables for about 30-35 minutes, or until they are tender and slightly caramelized. Stir the vegetables halfway through the cooking time to ensure even roasting.
- Once the vegetables are roasted, remove the baking sheet from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. This will make them easier to handle.
- Transfer the roasted vegetables to a blender or food processor. If you prefer a chunkier sauce, pulse the mixture a few times. For a smoother sauce, blend until you reach your desired consistency.
- Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a little water or vegetable broth to achieve your preferred consistency.
- In a large pot, cook your choice of pasta according to the package instructions. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Once the pasta is cooked and drained, return it to the pot and add the roasted tomato and pepper sauce. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce coats the pasta nicely.
- Serve the pasta in bowls, garnished with fresh basil leaves for a burst of flavor and color. Enjoy your delicious Roasted Tomato and Pepper Sauce with pasta!
Tips
- Choose ripe, high-quality tomatoes for the most intense flavor. The riper the tomatoes, the sweeter and more robust your sauce will be.
- Don't rush the roasting process. The key to this sauce is allowing the vegetables to caramelize slowly, which concentrates their natural sugars and creates depth of flavor.
- For a smoother sauce, use a high-powered blender. For a more rustic texture, use a food processor and pulse briefly.
- Reserve some pasta cooking water – it's liquid gold! The starchy water helps the sauce cling to the pasta perfectly.
- Fresh basil is not optional – it's the magical finishing touch that brings the entire dish to life.
- If you want to add extra complexity, try roasting a few whole garlic cloves alongside the vegetables.
- This sauce freezes beautifully. Make a double batch and store portions for quick, gourmet meals later.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 80kcal
Carbohydrates: 10g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg