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Best Easy Roasted Cherry Tomato Sauce for Freezing

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This roasted cherry tomato sauce is a household staple that freezes beautifully. Made with simple ingredients like cherry tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil, it’s incredibly easy to prepare and perfect for meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds (900g) cherry tomatoes
  • 6–8 cloves garlic, peeled
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, loosely packed
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 3–4 sprigs fresh thyme

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) with the rack positioned in the middle. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
  2. Wash and dry your cherry tomatoes thoroughly. Remove any stems or leaves.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, garlic cloves, olive oil, salt, and red pepper flakes if using. Toss everything together gently until every tomato is coated.
  4. Spread the tomatoes in a single layer on your prepared baking sheet. Nestle the thyme sprigs in between the tomatoes.
  5. Roast for 35-45 minutes, giving the pan a gentle shake halfway through. The tomatoes should be wrinkled, blistered, and starting to caramelize around the edges. The garlic should be soft and golden.
  6. Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Discard the thyme sprigs.
  7. Transfer the roasted tomatoes, garlic, and all the pan juices to your blender. Add the fresh basil and balsamic vinegar.
  8. Blend until smooth, starting on low speed and gradually increasing to high. For a chunkier sauce, pulse a few times. For a smoother sauce, blend for 30-45 seconds. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
  9. If you want a thicker sauce, transfer it to a saucepan and simmer over medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes.
  10. Let the sauce cool completely before freezing. Let it sit on the counter for about an hour, then transfer to the refrigerator for another hour before portioning.

Notes

Don’t skip the balsamic vinegar; it brightens the tomatoes and adds depth. Roast at 400°F for best results. Use a light-colored baking sheet to prevent burning. Let the sauce cool before blending to avoid the lid popping off. Freeze in portion sizes that make sense for your meals.

Nutrition

Keywords: roasted cherry tomato sauce, easy tomato sauce, freezer-friendly sauce, homemade tomato sauce, cherry tomato recipe

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