A super simple and super easy roasted tomato pasta sauce where all the ingredients are roasted 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 they just add such an amazing flavour and saltiness!) all roasted together then blended with some fresh basil - delicious! This sauce will work with any shape but I recommend my gnocchi sardi.
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!
Making the gnocchi sardi
My recipe for hand rolled gnocchi sardi is one you have to try. It is one of the easiest pasta shapes to make and is relatively quick too. It is made from a durum wheat which gives a fantastic chew which I love!
Notes on ingredients
Tomatoes - use anything you like! Vine, cherry tomatoes, canned - anything will work.
Onions - I use brown but red will work too if you prefer, it will be sweeter.
Anchovies - As I said earlier, please don't skip these (unless you want to make it vegetarian) they give such an amazing depth of flavour to the sauce. I prefer Ortiz anchovies, they are widely available.
Honey - I find just a tsp honey helps to bring out the sweetness of the ingredients while roasting but this is optional.
Chilli flakes - just enough to give a gentle hum, not so much a spice but feel free to add more or leave them out altogether.
Butter - would it be a recipe of mine without butter?! I find it finishes a sauce really well, giving a bit of gloss and extra flavour. I prefer unsalted as I like to have control over the seasoning myself.
Basil - this is the perfect fresh and sweet note to finish the sauce, it ties everything together beautifully. Make sure when you are using basil to only use the leaves as the stems can be bitter.
Gnocchi sardi in a delicious roast tomato sauce
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 2 - 3 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 (use three if you really are that scared of them!)
- 6 garlic cloves (I leave the skin on then pop them out before blending)
- 1 tsp runny honey (optional)
- ¼ - ½ tsp 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 40 - 45 mins 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 sit in the sauce for a minute then divide between plates and top with lots of freshly grated parmesan and extra basil.
Notes
- You can use any pasta shape you like with this sauce but definitely have a go at the hand rolled gnochhi sardi, it's so easy!
- I normally do 80 - 100g of pasta per person
- This will be enough for 2 - 3 people, 4 at a stretch it just depends how saucy you like it! It is an easy one to scale up.
- 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!
★★★★★