Imagine transforming ordinary tomatoes into a rich, deeply flavored sauce that will make your taste buds dance with delight! This Roasted Tomato Basil Sauce is not just a recipe—it's a culinary adventure that elevates your cooking from mundane to magnificent. With just a few simple ingredients and some oven magic, you'll create a sauce so vibrant and intense, your family and friends will swear you've been secretly training in an Italian grandmother's kitchen.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 55 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 cups
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ripe tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This temperature is ideal for roasting the tomatoes and enhancing their natural sweetness.
- Prepare a large baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or lightly greasing it with olive oil. This will prevent the tomatoes from sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Wash the ripe tomatoes thoroughly under cold water. Remove the stems and cut the tomatoes in half. If the tomatoes are particularly large, you can quarter them to ensure even roasting.
- Place the halved tomatoes cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet. Arrange them in a single layer to ensure they roast evenly.
- Drizzle the 1/4 cup of olive oil over the tomatoes, ensuring they are well coated. Use a brush or your hands to spread the oil evenly if necessary.
- Sprinkle the minced garlic evenly over the tomatoes. This will infuse the sauce with a rich garlic flavor as the tomatoes roast.
- Season the tomatoes generously with salt and pepper to taste. This will enhance the flavors of the tomatoes and the overall sauce.
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast the tomatoes for about 30-35 minutes, or until they are soft, slightly caramelized, and their skins are starting to blister.
- Once the tomatoes are done roasting, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool for a few minutes. This will make them easier to handle.
- Transfer the roasted tomatoes, along with all the juices from the baking sheet, into a large mixing bowl or a food processor.
- Add the chopped fresh basil to the bowl. The heat from the roasted tomatoes will help release the basil's aromatic oils, enhancing the flavor of the sauce.
- Using an immersion blender or a standard blender, puree the mixture until you reach your desired consistency. For a smoother sauce, blend longer; for a chunkier texture, blend for a shorter time.
- Once blended, taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a splash of water or olive oil to reach your desired consistency.
- Transfer the roasted tomato basil sauce to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week or frozen for longer storage.
- This sauce is perfect for pasta, pizza, or as a base for soups. Enjoy your delicious homemade roasted tomato basil sauce!
Tips
- Choose ripe, in-season tomatoes for the most intense flavor. The riper the tomato, the sweeter and more robust your sauce will be.
- Don't rush the roasting process. The slow caramelization is where the magic happens, concentrating the tomatoes' natural sugars and creating depth of flavor.
- For a smoother sauce, pass the blended mixture through a fine-mesh strainer to remove seeds and skin.
- Experiment with adding a pinch of red pepper flakes during roasting for a subtle heat.
- Fresh basil is key—add it at the end to preserve its bright, aromatic qualities.
- If storing, leave some space at the top of your container when freezing to allow for expansion.
- This versatile sauce can be a base for countless dishes, so make extra and get creative!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 120kcal
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
