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    Home » Blog Post

    Hearty Vegan Roasted Tomato Sauce

    Modified: Feb 28, 2023 by Susan Pridmore · This post may contain affiliate links · 18 Comments

    Thick tomato sauce that combines heirlooms and balsamic roasted tomatoes for a meaty flavor.

    how to make homemade roasted tomato sauce

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    One of things I think about when all the heirlooms show up at the market is making homemade tomato sauce. I don't eat beef much more than once or twice a year, but I grew up loving a tomato chunky, meaty sauce for pasta. I've had to experiment a bit to get a tomato sauce that can match it.

    I won't kid you that this is exactly the same as a meaty tomato sauce, but it's a kick-butt serious tomato sauce all the same. I use fresh juicy heirlooms and my Roasted Balsamic Tomatoes. The roasted tomatoes with the balsamic gives off the thick texture I like, and a deep savory flavor that approaches meat. I just coarsely chop them so that they end up being the chunks in the sauce.

    Roasted balsamic tomatoes

    I keep the sauce pretty simple so that I can do different things with it, but feel free to add some garlic, onions, or some herbs to your liking. I'm going to experiment canning some this year so that I can have this sauce all winter long, so I'll let you know how that goes. Canning tomatoes can be a little tricky as there needs to be enough acid for it to be safe. Most canning recipes for tomatoes add some lemon juice. I have balsamic vinegar in mine, so I'm thinking it will be fine, but until I try it myself, I can't recommend it.

    how to make homemade roasted tomato sauce

    But I can recommend eating this sauce today. Totally. Most recently, I used it on the BBQ Chicken Pizza I posted earlier in the week. Another great way to use it is in this spaghetti and chickpeas pasta dish.

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    how to make homemade roasted tomato sauce
    5 from 1 vote

    Meaty Roasted Tomato Sauce

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    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time30 minutes mins
    Total Time40 minutes mins
    Course: Condiment
    Servings: 1 cup
    Author: Susan Pridmore
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    Ingredients

    • 3 large heirloom tomatoes
    • 8 halves of Balsamic Roasted Tomatoes
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • Salt and Pepper to taste

    Instructions

    • Peel the heirlooms with a sharp knife. It doesn't have to be perfect - this is intended to be a rustic tomato sauce. Core the tomatoes and chop them into 2 inch chunks. Place in a small pot over medium heat.
    • Add the Balsamic Roasted Tomato halves. (I keep this staple in my refrigerator all the time. It's amazing the number of uses I find for them.)
    • Add the olive oil, and a pinch each of salt and pepper and stir.
    • Simmer until the sauce reaches the thickness you prefer. I typically simmer mine for about 30 minutes, but this at least partly depends on how juicy the heirlooms are that I'm using. Correct for seasoning.
    • I've refrigerated mine for up to two weeks without any problem.
    « Roasted Poblano Peppers Stuffed with Warm Corn Salad
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    About Susan Pridmore

    Susan Pridmore is an award-winning cookbook author and the owner of The Wimpy Vegetarian. She has been featured in Huffington Post, Healthline, BuzzFeed, and has written for and developed recipes for The Food Network and Parade Magazine. She is professionally trained and focuses on easy vegetarian recipes for busy lives, bread-baking, and tips for new vegetarians. Susan lives in the mountains in Lake Tahoe with her husband and mini-labradoodle.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. apuginthekitchen

      August 17, 2013 at 5:37 am

      This is just lovely, I love tomato season and the heirlooms are my favorite, so sweet naturally and I love the many varieties. I also love to make a balsamic tomato roast or reduction and keep it in my fridge it's delicious. Your sauce looks meaty without the meat, thick and rich. Love it!

      Reply
      • The Wimpy Vegetarian

        August 17, 2013 at 10:05 am

        Thanks Suzanne! I'm hoping to be able to can it so I can add this to my regular "pantry" of things to make meals easy.

        Reply
    2. lizthechef

      August 17, 2013 at 7:54 am

      The perfect summer tomato sauce, Susan - I use a lot of Meyer lemon juice in mine.

      Reply
      • The Wimpy Vegetarian

        August 17, 2013 at 10:07 am

        Meyer lemon juice is perfect! Especially with your wonderful Meyer lemon tree 🙂

        Reply
    3. TasteFood

      August 17, 2013 at 8:21 am

      I love roasted tomatoes and use them in everything I can think of. That photo is gorgeous.

      Reply
      • The Wimpy Vegetarian

        August 17, 2013 at 10:09 am

        Thanks so much Lynda! Me too - roasted tomatoes is such a versatile ingredient. And I've found it to be a great substitute for meat in some dishes 🙂

        Reply
    4. Deb

      August 17, 2013 at 9:43 am

      What a robust vegetarian recipe! Seasonal and scrumptious, a perfect dinner idea!

      Reply
      • The Wimpy Vegetarian

        August 17, 2013 at 10:08 am

        Thanks so much Deb!! Totally vegetarian and vegan!!!

        Reply
    5. apuginthekitchen

      August 17, 2013 at 10:07 am

      Yes canning is a great idea, it will bring a taste of delicious summer produce as winter approaches.

      Reply
      • The Wimpy Vegetarian

        August 17, 2013 at 10:11 am

        Exactly! I just need to figure out the acidity levels, and do some testing. I think I'll add lemon juice to one of the jars and label it so I can see which ones turn out the best.

        Reply
    6. Choc Chip Uru

      August 17, 2013 at 2:30 pm

      What s hit of flavour this sauce would give my friend it takes tomato sauce to a whole new level 🙂

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

      Reply
    7. Terra

      August 17, 2013 at 7:09 pm

      Simple is totally okay with me!!! I love a flavorful homemade tomato sauce:-) Your recipe sounds delicious, Hugs, Terra

      Reply
    8. Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl

      August 18, 2013 at 3:53 pm

      Roasted tomato sauce is one of my most favorite ways to use garden tomatoes, yum! I can't get enough of it. beautiful pictures.

      Reply
    9. mjskit

      August 20, 2013 at 9:55 pm

      WOW! Does this look good or what?!?! What a beautiful sauce!

      Reply
    10. Amy Tong

      August 23, 2013 at 12:05 am

      Oh my...Your Roasted Tomato Sauce looks incredible and I bet the flavor is wonderful too. I can't wait to try this with my homegrown tomatoes. 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing. Have a happy Friday and a great weekend ahead.

      Reply
    11. Cynthia

      August 24, 2013 at 5:58 am

      I grew up loving a chunky tomato sauce, too, Susan. And a pizza sounds like just the thing for a Saturday night supper!

      Reply
    12. Marika Bezuidenhout

      January 17, 2021 at 3:57 am

      I cannot wait to make this sause, I can taste it in my mouth(almost drooling)
      What was the outcome fo the test, is the balsamic enough to bottle it?

      Reply
      • The Wimpy Vegetarian

        January 17, 2021 at 1:16 pm

        I haven't bottled it yet, so I'm still not sure. Sorry to not be able to answer that question. But the sauce is one I make regularly!!

        Reply
    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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    about the author:

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