Slow Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce Recipe Easy Homemade with Fresh Basil
A velvety, concentrated slow roasted cherry tomato sauce with fresh basil that delivers rich, sweet, and smoky flavors perfect for pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds (900 g) fresh cherry tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- A small handful fresh basil leaves, torn
- Red pepper flakes (optional, a pinch)
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C).
- Rinse 2 pounds (900 g) of cherry tomatoes and pat dry. Place them in a large mixing bowl.
- Toss the tomatoes with 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon sea salt, and ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if desired. Mix gently to coat evenly without crushing.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the tomatoes out in a single layer, skin-side up if possible.
- Roast the tomatoes slowly for 2 hours until tender, sweet, and caramelized. For a thicker sauce, roast an additional 15-20 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Cool slightly and gently mash the roasted tomatoes in the pan with a wooden spoon or spatula. For a smoother sauce, pulse in a food processor or use an immersion blender, being careful not to over-blend.
- Stir in torn fresh basil leaves and 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar if using.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or olive oil as needed.
- Serve warm tossed with your favorite pasta or cool and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Notes
Use uniform size cherry tomatoes for even roasting. Avoid overcrowding the baking sheet to ensure caramelization. Roasting at low temperature prevents drying out. Garlic can be added whole if worried about burning. Sauce thickens as it cools; add olive oil or water when reheating if needed. Sauce freezes well for later use.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1/4 of
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 7
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 2
Keywords: slow roasted cherry tomato sauce, homemade pasta sauce, fresh basil pasta sauce, easy tomato sauce, vegan pasta sauce, gluten-free pasta sauce