Sun Dried Tomato Sauce
Sun dried tomato sauce is a flavorful, herb-infused sauce made with concentrated sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and spices. Its rich, tangy taste adds depth to pasta, sandwiches, and more. Easy to prepare and versatile, this sauce brings a bold Mediterranean flair to any dish, offering a perfect balance of sweetness, heat, and aromatic herbs.
Equipment
- Small saucepan or skillet
- Stirring spoon
- Knife and chopping board
- Measuring spoons
- Mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 3 ounces sun-dried tomatoes roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ¾ cup olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon dried red chili flakes adjust to taste
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Step 1:
- Start by preparing your ingredients. Roughly chop the sun-dried tomatoes and finely chop the garlic. If your sun-dried tomatoes are especially dry or tough, soak them in warm water for 5 minutes, then drain before chopping.
Step 2:
- In a small saucepan or skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once warm, add the chopped garlic. Sauté gently for about 30 seconds until fragrant—avoid browning the garlic to keep it from turning bitter.
Step 3:
- Stir in the tomato paste and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring continuously, so the tomato paste blends into the oil and starts to deepen in color.
Step 4:
- Add the chili flakes, dried thyme, rosemary, oregano, basil, black pepper, and salt. Stir well to combine. Let the sauce simmer on low heat for another 2–3 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse. Stir occasionally.
Step 5:
- Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed. If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can blend it briefly using an immersion blender or in a regular blender. For a more rustic texture, leave it as is.
Step 6:
- Remove the pan from heat and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Let it cool slightly before serving. This sauce is perfect over pasta, grilled meats, or as a spread on toasted bread.
Notes
Sun dried tomato sauce is incredibly flexible! If you’re looking to cut down on the richness, you can skip the cream or substitute it with a plant-based option like coconut cream or cashew cream.
Additionally, if you prefer a smoother consistency, add more vegetable broth until you reach the desired thickness. You can also swap out olive oil for avocado oil for a lighter flavor.