MSG Free Roasted Tomato Sauce
There is something deeply satisfying about a tomato sauce built entirely from scratch, and roasting is the move that takes it from good to genuinely great. The plum tomatoes caramelize and collapse in a hot oven alongside onion wedges and whole garlic cloves, developing a rich, jammy depth that no jarred sauce can replicate. That natural sweetness and char is exactly what makes this recipe so rewarding — no shortcuts, no additives, just real ingredients doing their thing. For anyone avoiding flavor enhancers and processed seasonings, this is the kind of sauce that proves you never needed them in the first place. Fresh basil, dried oregano, a pinch of turmeric, and good extra virgin olive oil round everything out into something that tastes layered and complex without a single questionable ingredient. Blend it smooth or leave it a little rustic — either way, it's the kind of sauce you'll want to keep in your back pocket for pasta nights, pizza, or anything else that deserves a proper homemade base.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 2 lbs plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise
- 1 medium yellow onion, cut into 8 wedges
- 6 cloves garlic, unpeeled
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 1 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
- ½ tsp turmeric
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Arrange the tomato halves cut-side up on a large rimmed baking sheet. Scatter the onion wedges and unpeeled garlic cloves around the tomatoes. Drizzle with 3 tbsp of the olive oil and sprinkle with the salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- 2
Roast on the center rack for 40–45 minutes, until the tomatoes are deeply caramelized at the edges, collapsed, and beginning to char in spots, and the onion wedges are softened and golden at the tips.
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