Heirloom Tomato Sauce is a culinary homage to the timeless beauty and rich flavours of heirloom tomatoes.
Unlike typical sauces, this recipe celebrates the unique, vibrant colours and distinct taste profiles that only heirloom tomatoes can offer.
Grown for generations, these tomatoes are prized for their deep, sweet flavour, often tinged with notes of earthiness and a hint of natural acidity.
This sauce transforms these garden gems into a luscious, velvety concoction that pairs perfectly with pasta, enhances the flavour of meats, or stands proudly as a dipping sauce.
It’s a simple yet elegant way to bring the essence of summer’s best tomatoes to your table, capturing the very soul of fresh, natural ingredients in every spoonful.
How To Make Heirloom Tomato Sauce?
Preparation Times: 10 minutes
Cooking Times: 40 minutes
Course: Sauce
Cuisine: Italian
Yields: About 4 cups of sauce
Equipment Needed
- Large skillet or saucepan
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Immersion blender (optional)
Ingredients
- 2 lbs (900g) heirloom tomatoes, any colours and varieties
- 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn or chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh oregano, chopped
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, if tomatoes are too acidic)
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
Instructions
Step-1. Cook the Aromatics
Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet or saucepan. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent and soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chopped garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Step-2. Add the Tomatoes
Pour the tomato paste into the saucepan and cook for 2 minutes to deepen the flavour. Add the chopped heirloom tomatoes to the skillet, stirring well to combine. If the tomatoes are particularly acidic, add the sugar at this stage to balance the flavours.
Step-3. Simmer the Sauce
Lower the heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. The tomatoes will break down and the sauce will thicken. If the sauce becomes too thick, you can add a small amount of water or vegetable broth to reach your desired consistency.
Step-4. Season and Finish
Once the sauce has thickened to your liking, stir in the fresh basil, oregano, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if using. Season with salt and ground black pepper to taste. Allow the sauce to simmer for another 5 minutes to let the flavours meld together.
Step-5. Serve
Remove the sauce from heat and let it cool slightly before serving. This heirloom tomato sauce is perfect for pairing with pasta, spreading on pizza, or using it as a base for other dishes. Enjoy the rich, fresh flavours of the heirloom tomatoes!
Nutrition Facts Of Heirloom Tomato Sauce
| Nutrition | Amounts |
|---|---|
| Calories | 120 |
| Fat | 10g |
| Carbohydrates | 8g |
| Protein | 1g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Sugar | 5g |
Serving Suggestions
Pasta: Toss it with freshly cooked pasta and top with grated Parmesan.
Pizza: Spread it on homemade pizza dough for a flavorful base.
Bruschetta: Spoon it over toasted bread with a drizzle of olive oil.
Grilled Chicken or Fish: Use it as a topping for grilled proteins to add a burst of flavour.
Tips and Variations
Tomato Varieties: Mix heirloom tomatoes for a more complex flavour profile. Each variety brings its unique taste and colour to the sauce.
Herbs: Feel free to experiment with other herbs like thyme or rosemary for different flavour notes.
Texture: For a chunkier sauce, skip the blending step. If you prefer a very smooth sauce, blend it completely.
Storage: This sauce can be refrigerated for up to a week or frozen for up to three months. Make a big batch and enjoy it whenever you like!
Special Note
Heirloom tomatoes are not only flavorful but also packed with nutrients like vitamins A and C, making this sauce a healthy addition to your meals.
FAQS
Can I use regular tomatoes instead of heirloom?
Yes, you can use regular tomatoes, but the flavour profile will be different. Heirloom tomatoes offer a richer, more complex taste.
What is the speciality of heirloom tomatoes?
Heirloom tomatoes are celebrated for their vibrant flavours, and striking variety in colours and shapes and they offer a rich, authentic taste unmatched by modern hybrids.
What is the difference between heirloom tomatoes vs regular tomatoes?
Heirloom tomatoes offer diverse flavours, colours, and shapes, grown from traditional seeds. Regular tomatoes are typically hybrids, bred for uniformity, shelf-life, and resistance, often lacking the rich taste of heirlooms.
Is heirloom tomato healthier?
Heirloom tomatoes can be healthier due to their rich nutrient content and lack of genetic modification, often containing more antioxidants and natural flavours compared to mass-produced regular tomatoes.
Conclusion
Making heirloom tomato sauce at home is more than just following a recipe—it’s an experience that brings out the best in simple, fresh ingredients.
With each step, you build layers of flavour that culminate in a sauce that is rich, fragrant, and deeply satisfying.
Whether you’re spooning it over pasta or using it as a pizza base, this sauce will elevate your dishes and bring a taste of the season’s best produce to your table.
Heirloom Tomato Sauce
Equipment
- Large skillet or saucepan
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Immersion blender (optional)
Ingredients
- 2 lbs 900g heirloom tomatoes, any colours and varieties
- 4 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 1 medium yellow onion finely chopped
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves torn or chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh oregano chopped
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon sugar optional, if tomatoes are too acidic
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes optional, for a bit of heat
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet or saucepan. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent and soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chopped garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Pour the tomato paste into the saucepan and cook for 2 minutes to deepen the flavor. Add the chopped heirloom tomatoes to the skillet, stirring well to combine. If the tomatoes are particularly acidic, add the sugar at this stage to balance the flavors.
- Lower the heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. The tomatoes will break down and the sauce will thicken. If the sauce becomes too thick, you can add a small amount of water or vegetable broth to reach your desired consistency.
- Once the sauce has thickened to your liking, stir in the fresh basil, oregano, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if using. Season with salt and ground black pepper to taste. Allow the sauce to simmer for another 5 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
- Remove the sauce from heat and let it cool slightly before serving. This heirloom tomato sauce is perfect for pairing with pasta, spreading on pizza, or using it as a base for other dishes. Enjoy the rich, fresh flavors of the heirloom tomatoes!
Notes
Welcome to Arora’s Sauce Recipe, where every drop tells a story of tradition, innovation, and a boundless love for culinary arts. My name is Brazen, and I am the founder and chief sauce creator at Arora’s Kitchen. Born into a family with a rich heritage of culinary arts, I grew up surrounded by the aromas of spices and the sounds of simmering pots, which ignited my passion for cooking from a young age.
Inspired by generations of culinary expertise, I embarked on a professional quest to capture these fleeting aromas and flavors in bottles of sauce that could bring a gourmet experience to every meal.
As the founder of Arora’s Sauce Recipe, my mission is to inspire your culinary adventures with the finest sauces. Whether you’re a professional chef or a home cook, our sauces are crafted to elevate your cooking with every spoonful.
Thank you for choosing Arora’s Sauce Recipe. Here’s to a journey filled with flavor, passion, and unforgettable meals.