You know those little jars of sun dried tomatoes packed in delicious herb infused olive oil that cost about $5 a pop? This (not) Sun Dried Tomato Sauce is just like those yummy tomatoes. …Except not. Ha!
This was completely a happy accident and now my life will never be the same. I started out wanting to make something similar to this magic sauce, but was going to use it as a base for my homemade pizza tonight, so I added some tomato paste to make it more, well, pizza-like. When I gave it a taste I was absolutely stunned. it tasted just like those oil packed sun dried tomatoes!
I was so happy because nearly every time I’m at the store I want to buy those expensive little tomatoes, but the price always holds me back. Now I know I can make something that tastes really, really similar and for VERY little money.
So, what do you do with this “sauce”? Well….
- Use it as a pizza sauce (like I’m going to do tonight)
- Toss it with warm pasta, and then top with some parmesan cheese
- Use it as an uber flavorful sandwich spread (best with focaccia or other hearty bread)
- Use in place of garlic butter on sliced french bread for a tomatoey version of garlic toast
- Just go ahead and dip really good, crusty bread in it!
It’s so good that I’m sure you can come up with a million more yummy things to do with it!
(not) Sun Dried Tomato Sauce
Servings 2Ingredients
- 1/3 cup olive oil ($0.64)
- 1 clove garlic, minced ($0.08)
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano ($0.03)
- 1/2 tsp dried basil ($0.03)
- 1/4 tsp dried thyme ($0.02)
- 1/4 tsp dried rosemary ($0.02)
- a pinch crushed red pepper ($0.02)
- 10-15 cranks freshly cracked pepper ($0.02)
- 1/2 tsp salt ($0.02)
- 3 oz. tomato paste ($0.27)
- 1/2 tsp honey ($0.02)
Instructions
- Add the olive oil, garlic, basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, crushed red pepper, salt, and some freshly cracked pepper to a small skillet. Stir and heat the mixture over low heat for about 3 minutes. It’s okay if it sizzles slightly, but you don’t want it to get hot enough that the herbs burn.
- Add the tomato paste and honey. Allow it to heat through as you stir. It will not form a smooth sauce. Continue to stir and heat over low for about 5 minutes or until you notice the tomato paste has darkened slightly. Either use immediately or refrigerate until ready to use!
See how we calculate recipe costs here.
Notes
Nutrition
Have you tried this recipe?Mention @budgetbytes or tag #budgetbytes on Instagram!How to Make Sun Dried Tomato Sauce – Step By Step Photos
Start by adding 1/3 cup olive oil, 1 clove minced garlic, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp dried basil, 1/4 tsp dried thyme, 1/4 tsp dried rosemary, a pinch of red pepper flakes, a generous dose of freshly cracked pepper (10-15 cranks of a pepper mill), and 1/2 tsp salt. Heat over low for a few minutes. It’s okay if the oil sizzles just slightly, but don’t let it burn. Cooking it for a few minutes helps infuse the oil with the herbal flavor and cooks out the raw garlic flavor.
Next add 3oz. (half of a 6oz. can or about 1/3 cup) tomato paste and 1/2 tsp honey. Don’t forget to freeze the rest of your tomato paste so that you have it on hand the next time you need some!
Cook and stir over low heat until it’s heated through and the tomato paste has darkened slightly (see the difference between the vibrant red in the last picture and this deep crimson color?). That should take about 5 minutes. Now it’s ready to use!
This recipe makes about a half cup of (not) Sun Dried Tomato Sauce. The “sauce” will not be a smooth, cohesive mixture because of the oil/water thing happening. But, that doesn’t mean it’s not delicious! Can you almost TASTE it?!
Looks great; I’m definitely going to try it!
I’ve had this for the last three nights. It’s so good!
Wonderful explained recipe! It looks very nice on the photos too.
Made this tonight and threw it on some whole wheat spaghetti and chicken. So easy and so awesome!
Wow, just tried this it’s SO good. I actually put it on some of your ricotta gnocchi that I had in the freezer :) Delicious! Thank you for another fantastic recipe!
What a fantastic sauce Beth! I love sundried tomatoes… so I can’t wait to try this out!
I just tried this and OMG I think I’ve eaten like half a loaf of bread because of this! it’s sweet and tangy and so so good. thank you for this recipe!
You have done it again!!! This sounds fabulous! I will be adding it to my recipes. I used your recipe for the Red Enchilada sauce. It was the best! even my son,whom is a picky eater said they were the best I have made because of the sauce. I added more garlic powder,chili powder,g. cumin. and used 1/2 oil & 1/2 butter. It was the best Red enchilada sauce i have made. I have subscribed to alot!! of food blogs and yours is one of my top ten favorites. you are greatly appreciated for all that you share. many blessings
Looks delicious! How long do you think this would keep in the fridge?
Your total on the part where you add up the ingredients says 2.16 instead of 1.17. Just FYI, I know what you meant!! :)
this looks delicious! I’m gonna try it this weekend with some shrimp for a super simple seafood pasta dish.
this looks great! i love the flavors…and the cost :)
Serendipity… so there I was, fantasizing about some bruschetta to go with my leftover salmon for lunch. But there are no ripe tomatoes in my garden, and I was thinking I was just going to make some cheese toast, when this magically appeared in my feed.
I just eyeballed the dry spices, and added more garlic, because, well, why not??? It took all of five minutes to make, and it was beautiful. Between me and the kids, we ate a whole batch and half a loaf of bread. Okay, okay, *I* ate half a loaf of bread.
I’m contemplating making another batch out of the leftover paste for dinner to go over some shells. It is THAT good. You are a sooper genius, Beth. Can I casually worship at your feet now?
Your pics of this look fabulous!!! I might try it over some three cheese pasta I just got at the store! Looks super yum!
This looks fabulous! Would make a good sauce for a pizza or flat bread as well
Mal @ The Chic Geek