Roasted Tomato Sauce
For busy parents who want a fresh, homemade sauce with minimal effort!
Skip the jar and make this vibrant roasted tomato sauce using just a handful of wholesome ingredients. Roasting brings out the natural sweetness of tomatoes and makes everything feel more gourmet—even on a weeknight.
Why This Recipe
- Quick & Easy – Just roast, blend, and you’re done! Minimal prep and clean-up make this a weeknight winner.
- Made from Real Ingredients – No hidden nasties, preservatives, or added sugars—just wholesome, everyday pantry staples.
- Versatile – Use it on pasta, pizza, as a dip, or even in lasagna—one sauce, endless meal ideas.
- All Ages Approved – From toddlers learning to self-feed to teens (and grown-ups!) who love a good pasta night, this sauce works for everyone.
Ingredients You Will Need
Ingredient Notes, Substitutes, & Allergy Swaps
- Tomatoes: Any fresh tomatoes are perfect, I often have a mixture of varieties. Cheery tomatoes are sweeter, while larger Roma style tomatoes have lower water content which can give a thicker sauce.
- Garlic cloves: As this sauce is roasted choose whole cloves, minced or crushed garlic may burn during the roasting process.
- Oregano: This can be substituted for Italian Seasoning, or simply use herbs your family enjoys and you have on hand—basil, thyme, or rosemary all work well here. You can substitute with fresh herbs if you prefer (triple the amount if using fresh herbs).
- Balsamic vinegar: Adds natural sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Olive oil: Use extra virgin olive oil for the best flavour, but obviously substitute for any oil you have on hand if EVO isn't for you.
Step-by-step instructions
Below are illustrated step-by-step instructions to make my Roasted Tomato Sauce recipe, if you prefer just the written instructions then head straight to the printable recipe card below.
Step one: Preheat & Prep – Set oven to 220°C (425°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Roast – Toss tomatoes and garlic with olive oil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Spread on the baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, until the tomatoes are soft and slightly caramelised.
Step two: Blend – Let the tomatoes cool slightly, then blend in a food processor or blender with the balsamic vinegar until smooth (or leave it a little chunky for texture)
Step three: Taste & Adjust – Add fresh basil if using, and adjust seasoning as needed.
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Top Tips
Here is how you can make this Roasted Tomato Sauce perfectly every time!
- Want a creamy version? Add a splash of cream or a spoonful of mascarpone while blending.
- For an extra veggie boost, toss in some roasted red peppers or zucchini before blending.
- If your tomatoes are very juicy, drain off a little liquid before blending to thicken the sauce.
- Freeze in portions for easy batch cooking and meal prep
How to Make This Recipe Suitable For Baby Led Weaning
This roasted tomato sauce can easily be adapted for babies, especially if you're following a baby-led weaning approach:
- Skip the salt: Simply leave out the salt when preparing the sauce for babies. Babies under 12 months should have less than 1g of salt per day (that’s only 0.4g sodium).
- Blend until smooth: For younger babies or those new to solids, blend the sauce until completely smooth to avoid any choking hazards.
- Serve with baby-friendly pasta: Stir the sauce through soft, easy-to-grasp pasta shapes like large spirals (fusilli), penne, or rigatoni. These shapes are ideal for little hands learning to self-feed. If you are using long noodles such as fettuccini or spaghetti be sure to cut them into short segments to reduce chocking risk.
- Freeze in small portions: Try freezing baby-sized portions in an ice cube tray or silicone mold for quick, easy meals later on.
This sauce is a great way to introduce your baby to bold, natural flavors while still keeping things safe and nutritious.
Roasted Tomato Sauce
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Ingredients
- 1 kilogram tomatoes 2 lb (cherry or larger tomatoes halved or quartered)
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano (or Italian seasoning)
- ½ teaspoon salt (skip if making this recipe for baby led weaning)
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Optional
- ¼ teaspoon chilli /red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
- 1 handful basil leaves finely sliced
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep – Set oven to 220°C (425°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Roast – Toss tomatoes and garlic with olive oil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Spread on the baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, until the tomatoes are soft and slightly caramelized.
- Blend – Let the tomatoes cool slightly, then blend in a food processor or blender with the balsamic vinegar until smooth (or leave it a little chunky for texture)
- Taste & Adjust – Add fresh basil if using, and adjust seasoning as needed.
Notes
- Want a creamy version? Add a splash of cream or a spoonful of mascarpone while blending.
- For an extra veggie boost, toss in some roasted red peppers or zucchini before blending.
- If your tomatoes are very juicy, drain off a little liquid before blending to thicken the sauce.
- Freeze in portions for easy batch cooking and meal prep
- Tomatoes: Any fresh tomatoes are perfect, I often have a mixture of varieties. Cheery tomatoes are sweeter, while larger Roma style tomatoes have lower water content which can give a thicker sauce.
- Garlic cloves: As this sauce is roasted choose whole cloves, minced or crushed garlic may burn during the roasting process.
- Oregano: This can be substituted for Italian Seasoning, or simply use herbs your family enjoys and you have on hand—basil, thyme, or rosemary all work well here. You can substitute with fresh herbs if you prefer (triple the amount if using fresh herbs).
- Balsamic vinegar: Adds natural sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Olive oil: Use extra virgin olive oil for the best flavour, but obviously substitute for any oil you have on hand if EVO isn't for you.
Quick Start Guide To BLW
Baby led weaning doesn’t need to be complicated, grab my quick start guide to begin your little ones food journey.