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Easy Homemade Roasted Tomato Sauce for Sunday Dinner

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This roasted tomato sauce is a happy accident turned ritual—deep, sweet, and smoky with minimal effort. It comes together in under 45 minutes, most of which is hands-off oven time, and tastes like it simmered all afternoon.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 28 oz (800 g) canned whole peeled tomatoes (preferably San Marzano)
  • 4–5 garlic cloves, smashed
  • 3 tbsp (45 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • ½ tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
  • 4–5 fresh basil leaves, for finishing

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place a rack in the middle position.
  2. Open the can of whole peeled tomatoes and pour them into a 9×13-inch baking dish, including the juices. Break each tomato into rough chunks with your hands or a spoon.
  3. Scatter the smashed garlic cloves over the tomatoes. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, then sprinkle the oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if using), and ½ teaspoon of salt. Stir gently to coat.
  4. Roast for 30-35 minutes, until the tomatoes are softened and starting to caramelize around the edges. Halfway through, give the dish a quick stir.
  5. Remove the dish from the oven. Stir in the balsamic vinegar and the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Let cool for about 5 minutes.
  6. Use an immersion blender directly in the dish to puree the sauce until smooth (or pulse for a chunkier texture). Taste and adjust salt if needed.
  7. Tear the fresh basil leaves and stir them into the sauce.
  8. Serve immediately over pasta, or let cool completely before storing.

Notes

Don’t skip smashing the garlic—minced garlic can burn in the oven. Watch the roasting time; start checking at 25 minutes. Use a rimmed pan to contain juices. Let the sauce rest before blending to avoid splatters. Season gradually; salt content varies by tomato brand. The balsamic vinegar is a secret ingredient that rounds out acidity—don’t skip it.

Nutrition

Keywords: roasted tomato sauce, easy homemade sauce, Sunday dinner, quick marinara, small batch sauce, vegan pasta sauce

Find it online: https://oracooks.com/easy-homemade-roasted-tomato-sauce-for-sunday-dinner/