Sweet Balsamic Roasted Cherry Tomato Sauce Recipe
This Roasted Cherry Tomato Sauce is a vibrant and flavorful condiment made by roasting sweet cherry tomatoes with garlic, onion, and bell pepper, then blending them with balsamic vinegar and a touch of sugar for balance. Perfect for pasta, pizza, or as a dipping sauce, this easy recipe highlights the natural sweetness and depth of roasted vegetables enhanced with simple pantry staples.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 3 cups of sauce 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 6 cups cherry tomatoes
- ½ onion, roughly chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into segments
- 4–6 cloves of garlic
Seasonings and Oils
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- Olive oil (about 2-3 tablespoons for roasting and blending)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Rinse the cherry tomatoes and dry them thoroughly. Roughly chop the onion and cut the red bell pepper into bite-sized segments. Peel the garlic cloves but leave them whole.
- Roast the Vegetables: Arrange the cherry tomatoes, chopped onion, bell pepper segments, and whole garlic cloves on a baking sheet. Drizzle generously with olive oil, then sprinkle with salt and black pepper to taste. Toss everything lightly to coat evenly. Roast in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes or until the tomatoes burst and the vegetables are tender and caramelized.
- Blend the Sauce: Remove the roasted vegetables from the oven and let them cool slightly. Transfer them to a blender or food processor. Add the sugar and balsamic vinegar. Blend until you reach your desired consistency—smooth or slightly chunky. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or sugar if needed.
- Simmer the Sauce (Optional): For a deeper flavor, pour the blended sauce into a saucepan and simmer on low heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. This helps meld the flavors and thicken the sauce slightly. If you prefer a fresher, lighter sauce, you can skip this step.
- Serve and Store: Use the sauce immediately tossed with your favorite pasta, spread over pizza dough, or as a dipping sauce. Allow any leftovers to cool completely before storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze for longer storage.
Notes
- Roasting the vegetables concentrates their natural sweetness and adds depth to the sauce flavor.
- You can adjust the amount of garlic based on your preference for more or less pungency.
- Balsamic vinegar adds a pleasant tang and sweetness; substitute with red wine vinegar if unavailable.
- If you prefer a thinner sauce, add a splash of water or olive oil when blending.
- This sauce is naturally gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan.
Keywords: cherry tomato sauce, roasted tomato sauce, tomato pasta sauce, homemade tomato sauce, easy tomato sauce, Italian sauce, roasted vegetables sauce