Homemade Roasted Garlic Tomato Sauce
This Homemade Roasted Garlic Tomato Sauce is slow-roasted perfection, made with fresh tomatoes, caramelized garlic, and high quality olive oil. It’s endlessly versatile, perfect for pasta and pizza,
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.