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Best Slow Roasted Cherry Tomato Sauce with Garlic – Easy & Perfect

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This slow roasted cherry tomato sauce is deep, complex, sweet without being sugary, and savory without being heavy. It’s a hands-off recipe that transforms simple ingredients into an unbelievably flavorful sauce perfect for pasta, pizza, eggs, or toast.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds (900g) cherry or grape tomatoes
  • 6 to 8 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
  • ¼ cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 2 sprigs fresh basil or thyme (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (optional)
  • Red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Fresh basil leaves, torn, for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Rinse cherry tomatoes and pat dry. Halve each tomato lengthwise; small ones can stay whole.
  2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange tomato halves cut-side up in a single layer, leaving space between each. Scatter smashed garlic cloves and herb sprigs around the pan.
  3. Drizzle olive oil evenly over tomatoes and garlic. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss gently with hands to coat, then rearrange tomatoes cut-side up.
  4. Roast on center rack for 60 minutes, then rotate pan. Continue roasting for another 60 to 90 minutes until tomatoes are shrunken, wrinkled, and caramelized, and garlic is soft enough to smash with a fork.
  5. Remove from oven and let cool 5 minutes. Pick out herb sprigs. Transfer roasted tomatoes, garlic, and all pan juices to a large skillet.
  6. Place skillet over medium heat. Use a potato masher or wooden spoon to break up tomatoes to desired consistency. Stir in balsamic vinegar and red pepper flakes if using. Simmer for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens slightly. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
  7. Tear fresh basil leaves over sauce just before serving. Drizzle with extra olive oil if desired. Serve over pasta, on bread, or as a pizza base.

Notes

Don’t rush the temperature—300°F is key for deep, jammy sweetness without burning. Use a dark, rimmed baking sheet for better caramelization. Smash garlic cloves to expose more surface area. The sauce tastes even better the next day. For a creamier version, stir in ¼ cup cashew cream or coconut cream at the end. Freezes well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow roasted cherry tomato sauce, roasted tomato sauce, cherry tomato sauce, garlic tomato sauce, easy tomato sauce, homemade tomato sauce, vegan tomato sauce, gluten-free tomato sauce

Find it online: https://hungermind.com/best-slow-roasted-cherry-tomato-sauce-with-garlic-easy-and-perfect/