Description
Roasted Cherry Tomato Sauce is a simple, vibrant, and flavorful sauce that intensifies the natural sweetness of cherry tomatoes with roasting. This versatile sauce is perfect for pasta, dipping, or as a base for various dishes. Made with fresh ingredients and roasted garlic, it delivers a smoky, tangy, and fresh herbal taste with minimal preparation time.
Ingredients
Core Ingredients
- Cherry tomatoes (about 2 cups)
- Garlic cloves (3-4)
- Extra virgin olive oil (2 tablespoons)
- Fresh basil leaves (a handful)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Apple cider vinegar (1 teaspoon)
- Optional crushed red pepper flakes (to taste)
Optional Variations
- Roasted bell peppers (for sweeter, smoky flavor)
- Caramelized onions (for soft sweetness and gentle crunch)
- Fresh oregano or thyme (as an alternative to fresh basil)
- Smoked turkey bacon bits (for smoky, savory element)
- Shredded mozzarella cheese (vegetal) (for creamy, melty twist)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven and prepare the tomatoes: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C). Rinse the cherry tomatoes and pat them dry. Toss the tomatoes and whole garlic cloves with the olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl until evenly coated.
- Roast the tomatoes and garlic: Spread the tomatoes and garlic out on a baking sheet in a single layer. Roast them for about 20-25 minutes or until the skins start to wrinkle and the garlic is soft and golden.
- Blend the sauce: Once roasted, let the tomatoes and garlic cool slightly. Transfer everything to a blender or food processor. Add fresh basil leaves and apple cider vinegar, then pulse until smooth but still a little chunky for texture.
- Adjust seasoning and serve: Taste the sauce and add more salt, pepper, or crushed red pepper flakes as desired. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of water or olive oil to reach your preferred consistency.
Notes
- Choose ripe but firm tomatoes for better roasting and texture.
- Do not skip roasting the garlic as it becomes sweet and mellow.
- Add fresh herbs last to preserve their bright flavor and color.
- Spread tomatoes evenly on the baking sheet to avoid steaming.
- Adjust thickness by adding olive oil or warm water as needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 40
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 3.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: roasted cherry tomato sauce, easy tomato sauce, roasted tomato sauce, fresh basil sauce, tomato garlic sauce, healthy tomato sauce, vegan tomato sauce