A super simple and easy roast tomato pasta sauce where all the ingredients are roasted before blending for a wonderful depth of flavour. Tomatoes, onions, garlic and anchovies (which I really do forbid you to skip, you don't taste them I promise) all roasted together then blended with some fresh basil - delicious!

Hello! I am updating this recipe with new photos and some extra tips and tricks. I actually just really felt like making it again! One of the things that is hard for a food blogger is we are constantly working on new recipes and that means we often don't get a chance to remake things.
This is such an incredible staple pasta sauce you need to have in your repertoire. I love that you can just throw all the ingredients on a tray and let the oven do all the hard work. Roasting everything brings flavour you just can't get any other way, it caramelises and adds a smokey note from the charred edges on the ingredients.

The anchovy factor!
I know anchovies are a love/hate ingredient but you really don't taste them in this, they add a salty, wonderful depth of flavour. Promise me you'll give them a try! Once everything is roasted and blended, fresh basil is added for the perfect finishing touch. If you already love anchovies my easy anchovy butter pasta is waiting for you!
Why roasting the tomato sauce ingredients is best
Roasting deepens the flavour profiles of the ingredients. Most foods have natural sugars inside them and roasting takes advantage of them making everything sweeter and more concentrated. I find it is also so much easier to just whack everything together in one tray and forget about it for 45 mins. Can't beat the smell too!

Ingredients:
Tomatoes - I use whatever looks good at the supermarket. This time I used a mix of vine and cherry tomatoes. Use whatever you like. You could also use tinned tomatoes if they aren't in season.
Onion - Roasted onion is so delicious! The charred edges add so much flavour and when blended it makes it slightly creamy.
Anchovies - I know that most people aren't huge fans of anchovies. I PROMISE you that you don't taste them but they add a depth of flavour like nothing else. Just use a few the first time. Please trust me on this! Obviously leave them out if you are vegetarian. I really like Ortiz anchovies.
Garlic - I put the whole cloves in unpeeled then pop them out before blending. Use as much garlic as you like.
Honey - I think any kind of tomato sauce benefits from a tiny bit of sweetness. It's just one teaspoon but balances everything out.
Chilli flakes - These are totally optional but adds a nice little hum to the sauce. A little goes a long way so just start with ¼ teaspoon the first time you make it to see what you like.
Basil - Fresh basil added at the end adds a lovely burst of freshness.
Butter - This is optional but a couple of tablespoons of butter is the pefect finishing touch.


Steps to making this easy roast tomato pasta sauce
It's super easy, I promise!
- Firstly prep all the ingredients. I cut the tomatoes in half, cut the onion into 6 pieces and scatter everything else.
- Nestle the ingredients into a baking tray and then drizzle with olive oil.
- Roast until ingredients are just starting to char.
- Put into a saucepan and blend with a stick blender (or use a food processor)
- Place the fresh basil in and then place on a really low heat while you cook your pasta.
- Add the cooked pasta and butter straight into the sauce.



What pasta shape is best?
I think the beauty of a sauce like this is that it will literally go with any shape. I had a craving for rigatoni, which is one of my favourite dried shapes.
If you feel like making some pasta from scratch then use my easy homemade pasta dough. It will never fail you! You could use it to make some homemade pappardelle which would be beautiful with this sauce.
If you know me at all, you know I am passionate about hand rolled shapes. I love them as you need little to no equipment (you don't need a pasta roller!). Check out my semolina pasta dough, which you could then make hand rolled gnocchi sardi pasta or orecchiette.

Tips for success
- Roast for long enough to just start getting a charred edge on the onions. The onions are always what I look at through the oven door!
- Again, don't skip the anchovies. Broken record, I know.
- There is no tricky pasta timing here you can pop your pasta on once you have blended the ingredients.
- In saying that, for maximum flavour make this the day before!
- Have it gently simmering in a fry pan or pot that will fit all your pasta. I like to let the pasta gently bubble in the sauce for a couple of mins. You can undercook your pasta by a minute for this reason.
- Heat your plates! This seems like a weird tip but pasta gets cold so quick. I always have plates warming in my oven while I am cooking the pasta.


Recipe FAQs
Anything! I often do a mix of vine tomatoes and cherry tomatoes. If tomatoes aren't in season use a couple of cans of tomatoes instead.
Absolutely! wait for it to cool completely then freeze in a container for up to three months. Skip adding the basil, add that in when you come to cook it.
Weighing out pasta portions is the only way! It means you have the ultimate sauce to pasta ratio. 100g dried per person or 150g fresh.
For the best results use an extra virgin olive oil. I love to drizzle some around the edge of the finished dish too.
Absolutely! I find it hard giving a yield for this sauce as it depends how saucy you like it!

Want some other sauces to try?
I have so many delicious recipes to try! If you loved this easy roast tomato pasta sauce then PLEASE try my balsamic cherry tomato pasta, it's divine. If you would like a creamier sauce then check out my creamy tomato pasta sauce, it's a classic.
For some other vegetarian options (this is vege if you omit the anchovies) then try my new red pepper pesto pasta. Cacio e pepe style sauces are my favourites and if they are yours too please make my cacio e pepe with basil and olives. Dream combo!




Made this pasta sauce and loved it?
I would love it so much if you could leave me a review below! Also, if you take a photo make sure you tag me on instagram so I can see it!
PrintRecipe

Easy roast tomato pasta sauce
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 3 - 4 people
Description
A super simple and super easy roasted tomato pasta sauce where all the ingredients are roasted for a wonderful depth of flavour.
Ingredients
- 600g tomatoes, cut into halves or quarters depending on size
- 1 onion, cut into wedges
- 6 anchovies
- 6 garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon runny honey
- ¼ teaspoon chilli flakes
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- ½ cup packed fresh basil, torn
- 30g unsalted butter
- Fresh parmesan to serve
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 160 fan or 180 convection (350f).
- Arrange the tomatoes and onions in a small roasting tray so they will sit quite snug together.
- Layer the anchovies and garlic over top then sprinkle the chilli flakes and drizzle the honey and oil over top.
- Roast in the oven for 45 mins - 1 hour or until the edges of the onions are starting to char.
- Transfer to a saucepan and blend thoroughly with a stick blender, or alternatively in a food processor.
- Add the torn basil then place on the stove top on a low heat while you cook your pasta.
- Add your cooked pasta straight into the sauce with a splash of pasta water and then finally the butter.
- Let the pasta bubble gently in the sauce for a minute then divide between plates and top with lots of freshly grated parmesan, extra basil and a drizzle of olive oil.
Notes
- ¼ teaspoon of chilli flakes is enough to add a nice hum. Leave them out if you don't like spice or feel free to use more.
- I normally do 100g dried pasta or 300g fresh pasta per person
- It is enough sauce for 2 - 4 people, it just depends how saucy you like it. If in doubt then double it and you can freeze the leftover sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
Erin Clarkson says
This looks SO GOOD and I can't wait to make it. Welcome to the internet, friend! xx
★★★★★
theburntbuttertable says
Thank you!!! xoxo
Jess Court says
Hugely flavoursome tomato sauce, absolutely delicious.
★★★★★
Emilie Pullar says
Yay thank you! 🙂
Jona says
Phenomenal recipe! Made it vegetarian (used Shitake mushrooms instead of sardines) and I made the gnocchi sardi. So good!!!
★★★★★
Emilie Pullar says
So so glad you enjoyed!! Thank you!!
alexandra says
did x1.5 for the fam (4 of us) and there was plenty extra sauce. also, do trust the recipe for the anchovies. i don’t like em but they added such depth to the sauce!
and according to the parents, it was the best tomato sauce they’ve ever had at home;)
★★★★★
Emilie Pullar says
So happy you added the anchovies! They are the secret weapon of this sauce!
Jessie says
Absolutely incredible! This is now ranked as one of my top 3 favorite pasta sauces ever. So simply with such a depth of flavor. Was perfect with the gnocchi sardi. Can’t wait to try out your other recipes!
★★★★★
Emilie Pullar says
Hi Jessie, that makes me so happy!! So so glad you enjoyed it and thank you so much for the awesome comment!
Sophie says
This sauce is incredible!! The perfect way to use up a glut of tomatoes if you grow your own. I now have several batches in the freezer and use it for all sorts. Obviously, it works brilliantly with the gnocchi sardi but I've also used it to make aubergine parm, as a pizza sauce etc. Always delicious!! Such a depth of flavour. Love Emilie's recipes - easy to follow and always a triumph!
Emilie Pullar says
Thanks for such a lovely comment Sophie!! So glad you enjoy the sauce so much, such a great staple 🙂
Bianca Harrison says
Absolutely divine, the tastiest tomato sauce I’ve ever made or tasted
★★★★★
Emilie Pullar says
Hi Bianca! Such high praise, so glad you loved it!
Vicki says
So easy to make as the oven does all the heavy lifting. Sooooo tasty and don’t be afraid of the anchovies.
★★★★★
Emilie Pullar says
Thanks so much for making it Vicki! Love an easy oven sauce! 🙂
Evie says
I adore this sauce, the anchovies add so much to it (but it doesn't taste fishy so don't be scared!) - just a perfectly balanced tomato sauce that goes with everything.
★★★★★
Liz says
I truly never thought anyone could talk me into eating anchovies, but Em has done just that. Even my husband was hesitant, but we both loved it! This recipe is so simple and so delicious. And I can fully admit that I now keep a can of anchovies on hand at all times so I can pull this together for a quick and easy dinner any time!
★★★★★
Naomi says
A gorgeous tomato sauce recipe - don’t be afraid of the anchovies, they absolutely make it. Quick and easy too - the perfect sauce!
Emilie Pullar says
One of my faves! I haven't made it in ages I need to asap. Thanks so much for making 🙂
Jen says
Have been loving all your recipes, you opened my eyes to Njuda!
Emilie Pullar says
Hi Jen! Yay! So glad you have the magic of nduja in your life now!