Roasted Tomato Marinara with Garlic and Basil
A deeply flavorful marinara sauce made from oven-roasted tomatoes, caramelized garlic, and fresh basil, excellent for pasta or as a pizza base. This italian-inspired quick meals ready in about 50 minutes pairs halved roma tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, large, thinly sliced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 90 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs, halved roma tomatoes
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 5 large, thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 425°F. On a baking sheet, toss 2 lbs halved roma tomatoes with 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tsp sea salt, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes.
- Step 2: Spread the tomatoes cut side up and scatter 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves evenly over them. Roast for 30 minutes until tomatoes are caramelized and soft.
- Step 3: Transfer the roasted tomatoes and garlic to a blender, add 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and pulse until you achieve a chunky sauce texture.
- Step 4: Pour the sauce into a saucepan and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil. Simmer over low heat for 10 minutes to blend flavors before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Roasted Tomato Marinara with Garlic and Basil take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (10 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Roasted Tomato Marinara with Garlic and Basil?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep halved roma tomatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Roasted Tomato Marinara with Garlic and Basil?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Roasted Tomato Marinara with Garlic and Basil for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Roasted Tomato Marinara with Garlic and Basil?
Italian quick meals like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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