Fire-Roasted Tomato Sauce

In search of a tomato sauce with a delightful kick, we turned to the bold flavors of fire-roasted tomatoes for inspiration. Building upon our trusty Big-Batch Marinara Sauce, we made simple yet impactful swaps, substituting regular diced and crushed tomatoes with their fire-roasted counterparts. The result was a sauce that not only boasted a mild smokiness but also required no additional effort. To intensify the smoky profile, we took a few extra steps, sautéing the drained diced tomatoes until they were beautifully browned and bursting with flavor. As a final touch, we added a dose of liquid smoke, packing a powerful smoky punch. The combination of these thoughtful adjustments and easy preparations made for a tomato sauce with an irresistible depth that’s perfect for pasta dishes, meatballs, or simply dipping crusty bread into. Below, you’ll find the list of ingredients, preparations, special tips, and nutritional information for this exceptional fire-roasted tomato sauce.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 onions, chopped fine
• 8 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh oregano or 2 teaspoons dried
• Pinch red pepper flakes
• 1 (28-ounce) can of fire-roasted diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 cup dry red wine
• 1 (28-ounce) can of fire-roasted crushed tomatoes
• 1 (28-ounce) can of tomato sauce
• ¼ teaspoon liquid smoke
• ½ cup minced fresh parsley
• Salt and pepper

PREPARATIONS:

1. Heat the olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chopped onions, minced garlic, tomato paste, oregano, and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Cook until the onions are softened and lightly browned, approximately 8 to 10 minutes.
2. Stir in the drained diced tomatoes and cook until they are dry and lightly browned, about 8 to 10 minutes. Pour in the dry red wine, scraping up any browned bits, and simmer until the mixture thickens, approximately 5 minutes. Transfer this mixture to the slow cooker.
3. Stir the fire-roasted crushed tomatoes, regular tomato sauce, and liquid smoke into the slow cooker, ensuring all the ingredients are well combined.
4. Cover the slow cooker and cook until the sauce is deeply flavored, approximately 9 to 11 hours on low or 5 to 7 hours on high.
5. Before serving, stir in the minced fresh parsley and season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.

YIELD:

• This recipe makes approximately 18 servings and complements well with 3 pounds of pasta.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

• The slow cooker fire-roasted tomato sauce requires a long cooking time to develop its rich flavors, so plan accordingly.

TIPS:

• The use of fire-roasted diced and crushed tomatoes adds a mild smokiness to the sauce without requiring any extra effort.
• Sautéing the diced tomatoes after draining them enhances their flavor, making them a standout ingredient in the sauce.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION PER SERVING:

• Calories: 340
• Fat: 2.5g
• Saturated fat: 0.5g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Carbohydrates: 66g
• Protein: 12g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sodium: 510mg

The journey to creating the perfect fire-roasted tomato sauce was one of experimentation and inspiration. Drawing inspiration from canned fire-roasted tomatoes, we sought to develop a tomato sauce that could provide a delightful kick and a touch of smokiness. As we began with the foundation of our beloved Big-Batch Marinara Sauce, we knew that swapping out regular diced and crushed tomatoes for their fire-roasted counterparts would bring us closer to our desired flavor profile.

The beauty of this sauce lies in its simplicity and versatility. Fire-roasted tomatoes, known for their smoky undertones, added a subtle complexity to the sauce without any extra effort. However, to take it up a notch, we sautéed the drained diced tomatoes to coax out their inherent sweetness and intensify their flavor. This extra step proved to be well worth it, as the browned and caramelized diced tomatoes became a standout ingredient in the sauce.

But the true magic came from the addition of liquid smoke—a small yet mighty ingredient that packed a powerful smoky punch. Just a quarter teaspoon of this liquid elixir elevated the sauce to a whole new level of complexity, captivating the taste buds with its irresistible smokiness.

With the slow cooker as our trusted kitchen companion, we allowed the sauce to simmer low and slow, giving ample time for the flavors to meld and develop into a rich, deeply flavored tomato sauce. The convenience of the slow cooker meant that we could prepare this exceptional sauce without constant monitoring, making it ideal for both busy weeknights and leisurely weekends.

The finished fire-roasted tomato sauce not only boasts a delightful kick but also presents a symphony of flavors that pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes. Whether you’re serving it with your favorite pasta, using it as a dipping sauce for crusty bread, or using it as a base for meatballs, this sauce is a testament to the wonders of fire-roasted tomatoes and the art of slow cooking.

In conclusion, our fire-roasted tomato sauce is a testament to the power of thoughtful ingredient swaps and careful preparations. By choosing fire-roasted diced and crushed tomatoes, and adding a touch of liquid smoke, we created a sauce that tantalizes the taste buds with its smoky complexity. Prepared in the slow cooker, this sauce embodies the spirit of Italian comfort and simplicity. Whether enjoyed with pasta or as a savory accompaniment, this fire-roasted tomato sauce is sure to become a staple in your kitchen—a testament to the magic that can happen when a few thoughtful changes are made to a classic recipe.