Oh, the thrilling journey a page-turner takes you on, am I right? As much as I love devouring books like I devour cake at midnight, I recently faced the impossible challenge of diving into a sea of endless recommendations from my Insta tribe. My current reading list now feels longer than the time winter clutches New York in its frostbitten embrace (and seriously, folks, isn’t that akin to eternity?).
But hey! Let’s switch gears from riveting novels to saucy stories. You know that gnawing desire for a mouthwatering tomato sauce that doesn’t come from a bland supermarket jar? Fear not, fellow flavor fanatics—I’ve got the antidote to your sauce woes. Pause that binge-reading binge for a hot minute (rest assured, books won’t be offended) and gather ’round for what’s quite possibly the pièce de résistance of the culinary world.
Drumroll, please: Fabulously Roasted Tomatoes for Sauce. This wonderfully sassy recipe is about to rejuvenate your jaded sauce repertoire, and the cherry on top? You’re the sauce boss, crafting the ultimate seasoned symphony—it’s like a choose-your-own-adventure book, but for your taste buds! Once you’ve aced this nifty trick, you’ll be dreaming up zesty batches of sauce faster than Speedy Gonzales can say, “Arriba!”
By the end of this tantalizing blog post, you’ll be ladling out steaming pasta smothered in your inventive homemade sauce, leaving your taste-testers in awe, questioning how on earth you find time to conquer book mountains while still wearing a culinary wizard’s hat. So come on, let’s saunter into the land of roasted tomatoes and unmask the secret formula to dinnertime delight.
Ingredients
- Vines cherry tomatoes – Plump, juicy, and add sweetness and texture to the dish. Versatile enough to be used in pasta, pizza, salads, and sandwiches.
- Coarse ground pepper – A staple ingredient that adds heat and aroma to the tomatoes, with the added bonus of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.
- Coarse salt – Enhances the flavors of other ingredients and gives a nice crunch to the tomatoes. A natural source of iodine, essential for maintaining a healthy thyroid.
- Granulated garlic – Adds depth of flavor to the tomatoes, a convenient alternative to fresh garlic with a consistent flavor.
- Olive oil – A healthy oil with a great taste, perfect for cooking due to its stability at high temperatures. Adds moisture, richness, and flavor to the tomatoes.
Instructions
- First things first, grab a cast iron skillet. These bad boys work best for this recipe, but if you don’t have one, a regular skillet will do just fine.
- Cut the tomatoes in half, and drizzle with olive oil. Make sure the tomatoes are evenly coated.
- Sprinkle your tomatoes with salt, pepper, and granulated garlic. Season them one at a time to make sure they’re evenly distributed.
- Now, heat the skillet over medium-low heat, and add the tomatoes once it’s hot.
- Cover the skillet and let the tomatoes roast for 10 minutes. Leave them be, don’t flip or move them around.
- After 10 minutes are up, your tomatoes should be blistered and roasted to perfection.
- Serve them as is or use them in a roasted tomato sauce.
Notes:
- You can add some raw garlic cloves to the skillet while the tomatoes are roasting for extra flavor. If you’re feeling fancy, add a few fresh herbs too!
- Some tomatoes will burst while roasting. This is normal, just try to avoid moving them around too much to keep the bursting to a minimum.
- And if you don’t want to leave the tomatoes on the vine, that’s fine too. Just don’t stir them while they’re roasting.
Serving Suggestions for Best Roasted Tomatoes for Sauce
These perfectly roasted cherry tomatoes are a sauce sensation! Here are some creative ways to use and enjoy them:
- Serve them up as a side dish. Simply sprinkle with a little extra salt and pepper and watch them disappear.
- Make a tomato bruschetta. Toast a baguette, spread with a little garlic butter, and top with the roasted tomatoes.
- Add them to your favorite pasta dish for a burst of flavor. The juicy, slightly sweet tomatoes pair perfectly with any pasta.
- Use them as a pizza topping. Imagine a classic Margherita pizza with these delicious roasted cherry tomatoes!
- Make a roasted tomato soup. Puree the roasted tomatoes and add to your favorite soup recipe. It’s like a warm hug in a bowl!
- Add some extra flavor to your eggs. Scramble some eggs and top with the roasted tomatoes for a quick and tasty breakfast.
- Make a killer sandwich. Slice some crusty bread, add some cheese, lettuce, and the roasted tomatoes for a delicious lunch.
- Mix them into your favorite salsa recipe. The roasted cherry tomatoes will give your salsa a sweet and smoky flavor that can’t be beat.
- Serve them as a sauce for grilled meats. These roasted tomatoes are perfect for topping grilled chicken or steak.
- Freeze them for later. Roasted cherry tomatoes freeze perfectly and are a great way to enjoy the taste of summer all year long!
FAQ’s
What kind of skillet is best to use for this recipe?
A cast iron skillet is the best option for this recipe. It holds heat well and will give the tomatoes a nice sear.
Can I use a different kind of tomatoes for this recipe?
I highly recommend using cherry tomatoes, you can certainly try using other types of tomatoes. Just keep in mind that the cooking time may vary depending on the size and moisture content of the tomatoes you use.
Can I add other seasonings to this recipe?
Absolutely! If you want to change up the flavor profile, feel free to experiment with different herbs and spices. Some ideas could be thyme, oregano, cumin, smoked paprika.
How long do I cook the tomatoes for?
Cook the tomatoes for 10 minutes. Keep in mind that oven temperatures can vary, so you may need to adjust the cooking time a bit. The tomatoes should be nicely blistered and roasted.
Can I use fresh garlic instead of granulated garlic?
Yes, you can certainly use fresh garlic instead. Just add a couple of cloves when you add the tomatoes to the skillet. The flavor will be much stronger and more intense than with granulated garlic.
What should I do if my tomatoes burst while roasting?
This is totally normal! Some tomatoes will burst while roasting, and that’s okay. To minimize bursting, make sure not to move the tomatoes around while they’re roasting. And use the burst tomatoes for making the sauce, it will give an awesome texture and flavorful sauce.
Roasted Cherry Tomato Sauce with a Twist
Equipment
- 1 large cast-iron skillet
- Cutting board
- Knife
Ingredients
- 3 vine-ripe cherry tomatoes
- Coarse sea salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 cloves of fresh garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C).
- On a cutting board, cut cherry tomatoes in halves or quarters and place them in a large bowl.
- Add minced garlic, extra virgin olive oil, dried basil, dried oregano, coarse sea salt, freshly cracked black pepper, red pepper flakes, and sugar to the bowl.
- Mix everything together with your hands until the tomatoes are evenly coated with the seasoning.
- Heat the cast iron skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes.
- Once heated, place the seasoned cherry tomatoes in the skillet, making sure they are spread evenly.
- Place the skillet in the preheated oven and roast for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, take the skillet out of the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Serve the roasted cherry tomatoes over your favorite pasta dish or as a topping for crostinis. Enjoy!
Notes
You can also add some fresh basil leaves on top of the sauce for a pop of fresh flavor.
To make this sauce even more flavorful, you can add some roasted red bell pepper, sun-dried tomatoes, or even some olives to the mix.
Nutrition
