Easy Roasted Garlic Tomato Sauce Made With Fresh Tomatoes
There’s something special about making your own tomato sauce from scratch, especially when you start with ripe, juicy tomatoes and a full head of roasted garlic. It’s the kind of simple, feel-good recipe that fills your kitchen with the coziest aroma and transforms simple ingredients into something extraordinary.
This Roasted Garlic Tomato Sauce is my go-to base for cozy pasta nights, homemade pizza, and baked pasta dishes. The slow-roasted tomatoes caramelize beautifully, while the garlic turns buttery and mellow, adding that perfect flavor you can’t get from store-bought sauce.
It’s rustic, flavorful, and pure comfort in a jar.
Tips & Serving Ideas
- Toss it with spaghetti and freshly grated Parmesan for a simple dinner.
- Layer it into lasagna or baked ziti.
- Use it as a base for homemade pizza or flatbreads.
- Spoon it over eggs, or meatballs for easy weeknight meals.
- Stir in a splash of half & half or mascarpone before serving for a creamy sauce.
- Keep refrigerated up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months in airtight containers or jars.
Shop My Favorite Tools & Ingredients
Here are the tools and ingredients I use every time I make this recipe:
- High-Quality Olive Oil – A rich olive oil makes all the difference. Check out my post on How To Buy Olive Oil here.
- Stainless Steel Baking Sheet – I love this heavy-duty rimmed sheet for roasting tomatoes evenly.
- Mini Cocotte – Makes roasting garlic super easy with no mess.
- High-Speed Blender – For that smooth, restaurant-quality texture.
- Glass Jars for Storing Sauce – I always keep a few of these reusable jars on hand.
Don’t Buy It, Make It!
This Roasted Garlic Tomato Sauce is the kind of recipe that reminds you how magical simple, slow-cooked food can be. With just a few fresh ingredients and a little time, you get a sauce that’s rich, comforting, and full of flavor…exactly what cozy cooking is all about.
Keep up with all my recipes and more fun on Instagram @most.hearted!
Gina
Homemade Roasted Garlic Tomato Sauce
Ingredients
- 4 lbs ripe fresh tomatoes Roma, plum, or heirloom mix, halved or quartered
- 1 head garlic
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil plus more for finishing
- 1 tsp sea salt plus more to taste
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp sugar to balance acidity
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Fresh thyme sprigs
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes optional, for gentle heat
- 1 small yellow onion roughly chopped (optional, adds sweetness)
- Handful of fresh basil leaves optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Slice the top off the head of garlic to expose the cloves. Drizzle with olive oil, wrap in foil, and place on the baking sheet.
- Arrange the tomatoes (cut side up), onion (if using), and thyme on the sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper, oregano, and sugar.
- Roast for 45–50 minutes, until tomatoes are soft, caramelized, and slightly blistered.
- Squeeze out the garlic: Once cooled slightly, unwrap the garlic and squeeze the roasted cloves into a blender or food processor.
- Blend: Add the roasted tomatoes and onions (discard thyme stems) and blend until smooth.
- Simmer: Pour the sauce into a saucepan, add red pepper flakes and fresh basil, and simmer for 15–20 minutes over low heat to thicken and deepen the flavor.
- Finish: Taste and adjust salt or sugar as needed. Drizzle with more olive oil before serving.
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