This is a simple, creamy Roma tomato sauce recipe that doesn’t call for peeling or blanching the tomatoes. It’s great for garden tomatoes and can be used right away on pasta or later by canning or freezing it.
You know what that means: every day our tomato plants give us pounds of tomatoes to pick! On the weekends, I usually pick all the tomatoes for the week and spend hours cooking sauces (sweet and spicy and slow cooker), diced tomatoes, and stewed tomatoes. And of course Fresh Tomato Salsa – what would be a August be without salsa?.
Cherry Tomato Sauce is my favorite homemade tomato sauce, but this year we only had Roma tomatoes, so I wanted to make a recipe that was 1) easy, 2) tasty, and 3) let the Roma tomato taste shine! Enjoy Homemade Roma Tomato Sauce!
With their meaty texture, mild sweetness, and low moisture content, Roma tomatoes are a versatile ingredient perfect for all kinds of savory dishes Compared to juicy beefsteak or heirloom varieties, these oblong plum tomatoes hold their shape better when cooked, making them an ideal choice for sautéing, roasting, and stewing
Roma tomatoes are often called “paste tomatoes” since they are frequently canned or processed into tomato paste and sauce. But don’t limit these little red gems only to cooked applications. Their dense flesh also makes Roma tomatoes perfect for slicing raw into salads, salsas, bruschetta toppings, and more.
Here are 10 delicious ways to enjoy Roma tomatoes:
1. Oven-Roasted
Roasting concentrates the sweetness of Roma tomatoes while caramelizing their surfaces. Toss halved or quartered tomatoes with olive oil, garlic, and herbs. Roast at 400°F until wrinkled and browned but still juicy. Serve over pasta, on sandwiches, with eggs, or just eat them as-is.
2. Grilled
Like roasting, grilling heightens the flavor of Roma tomatoes Toss them in olive oil and spices and grill over direct medium heat, turning frequently until charred in spots but not mushy Chop and add to tacos, bruschetta, gazpacho, pizza, pasta dishes, and more.
3. Sautéed
Diced or sliced Roma tomatoes retain their shape nicely when sautéed on the stovetop Cook them briefly in olive oil and garlic, adding fresh basil at the end Toss with hot pasta or heap on garlic bread for an easy meal.
4. In Sauces and Stews
The meaty texture and fewer seeds of Roma tomatoes make them perfect for simmering into rich pasta sauces like marinara. They also add sweetness and body to stews and chilis.
5. On Pizzas
Roma tomatoes are ideal for homemade and store-bought pizza. Their firmness allows neat, thin slicing instead of messy chopping. Arrange sliced Romas on dough before adding other toppings. The tomatoes will release juices without making the crust soggy.
6. Added to Salads
Thinly slice Romas and add them raw to leafy, grain, pasta, or vegetable salads. Their dense texture holds up well alongside other ingredients without leaking excess liquid. For a pretty presentation, cut Romas into wedges rather than round slices.
7. In Bruschetta Toppings
Chopped Roma tomatoes are commonly mixed with garlic, olive oil, basil, and balsamic vinegar to top freshly grilled or toasted bread. The tomatoes retain enough juice to moisten the bread without completely saturating it.
8. As Salsa
Roma tomatoes are the perfect base for tomato salsa. Their firm texture allows the salsa to maintain chunky consistency without getting waterlogged from expelled juices. Toss diced Romas with onions, peppers, cilantro, lime, and chili pepper.
9. In Sandwiches
Layer sliced Roma tomatoes between bread with mozzarella, basil, and balsamic for an easy Caprese sandwich. For heartier options, add sliced Romas to your favorite burger or club sandwich recipe.
10. Oven-Dried
Want to stock up on Romas to use year-round without canning? Oven-dry them. Slice Romas in half lengthwise and scoop out seeds. Place them cut-side up on a baking sheet and bake at 200°F, flipping once, until shriveled and semi-dry but not brittle. Store in oil.
Roma tomatoes are available year-round, though their peak season is mid-summer into early fall. Choose tomatoes that feel heavy for their size with smooth, shiny skins free of blemishes or bruises. Store whole Romas at room temperature out of direct sunlight for up to a week. Once cut, refrigerate in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
While Roma tomatoes are suitable for many dishes that call for canned tomatoes, their relatively low moisture content and firm flesh creates slightly different results in certain recipes. But experimentation leads to discovery! The versatility and wide availability of Romas makes them a pantry staple worth keeping on hand.
What type of tomatoes should I use for tomato sauce?
Quick answer to a commonly asked question. Do I need to use roma tomatoes? No, you can use any type of tomato you want. Any kind of tomato will work; it just might take longer to boil them if they have a lot of water in them.
How to Make Tomato Sauce Video
Let’s talk about easy this homemade sauce is. I have amazing news for you. Are you ready?
First, you use fresh tomatoes.
Second… are you really ready for this?
You don’t need to blanch or peel your tomatoes for this tomato sauce! Seriously! High 5!
I really wanted to make a easy sauce. I don want to spend too much time stirring sauces on a hot stove this summer. Instead, I want to play with my child and chase them around with water balloons. This sauce is simple and doesn’t require any fancy blanching or peeling techniques. We’re just going to use the tomatoes whole. Trust me on this one.
Planting Roma Tomatoes The Right Way
What is a Roma tomato used for?
Roma tomatoes are a popular ingredient in many dishes, particularly in Italian cuisine. They are commonly used in pasta sauces, bruschetta, and salads. They can also be roasted or grilled and used as a topping for pizza. What is the average weight and size of a Roma tomato?
What is the best type of tomato to buy?
When buying tomatoes, it is important to observe some characteristics such as the integrity of the skin, whether there are any signs of contamination by fungi or other microorganisms or by chemical contaminants. Organic tomatoes, with a vivid red color and firm consistency to the touch, are recommended for purchase. The Italian tomato is one of the most common varieties and has a good profile of nutrients and bioactive compounds that help with health.
What can you do with roasted Roma tomatoes?
There’s so many things you can do roasted roma tomatoes. We love them next to meat and fish dishes, but you can also dice them up for pasta and salads too. Heck, throw in a mason jar and just snack on them for a few days! Like my cherry tomato sauce, you can throw them in a food processor and make tomato sauce too!
Are Roma tomatoes good for a garden?
As summer approaches, you might be planning out what you’ll want to grow in your garden. Roma tomatoes are an excellent choice. If you don’t have a backyard vegetable garden, roma tomatoes are easy to source at farmer’s markets and grocery stores. Get new recipes sent to your inbox! Don’t miss out! Subscribe and get all the new recipes first.