Red Pepper, Garlic and Tomato Sauce

Jar of sauce, next to pasta in sauce and tomatoes on a wooden cutting board

This one-pot roasted red pepper, garlic, and tomato pasta sauce is the perfect example of how easy it can be to create bold, layered flavors without relying on store-bought jars. With just one pan and a bit of roasting magic, you’ll have a velvety sauce that’s bursting with natural sweetness and savory depth. Best of all, it’s made entirely from scratch, which means no hidden preservatives, excess salt, or added sugars.

Assorted fresh vegetables, including various colored tomatoes, a red pepper, garlic, and an onion, on a wooden surface.The nutritional star of this sauce is garlic—a humble ingredient with powerful benefits. Not only does garlic add a deep, aromatic foundation to the sauce, but it’s also known for its health-boosting properties. Rich in allicin, garlic can support heart health, improve immune function, and even help to regulate blood pressure. 

Tomatoes and red peppers also bring their own benefits to the mix. Tomatoes are loaded with lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to reduced risk of certain diseases, while red peppers are high in vitamin C and beta carotene. When you make your own sauce, you control every ingredient, which not only boosts the nutritional value but also allows the real flavors of the vegetables to shine. It’s a simple step toward eating more mindfully—and once you taste the difference, you might never go back to store-bought again.

Start this recipe by chopping your vegetables. Begin with yellow onion and garlic. Add those to a pot with a light drizzle of olive oil. While those start to cook, chop your red pepper and tomatoes. Add the red pepper once the onions are translucent and fragrant. 

Once the bell peppers have cooked for a few minutes, add your tomatoes and allow those to begin to break down while you stir in the tomato paste, salt, pepper and basil. 

Chopped red, yellow, and green tomatoes cooking in a metal pot.Allow this to simmer on the stove for about 30 minutes until nice and bubbly. I like to blend this, using an immersion blender. You can also use a regular blender. Or you can leave it as a chunky sauce. If you're going to do that, make sure to cut all the vegetables smaller. 

Stewed tomatoes, red peppers, and basil in a metal pot.

Once it's done being blended, add more salt or pepper to taste, or leave it exactly as is. Then transfer this into a glass jar or pour over fresh pasta. Use this in any way you would you a store-bought tomato sauce!

Glass jar of red pepper and tomato pasta sauce with tomatoes and basil leaves on a wooden surface in the background.

Recipe: Red Pepper, Garlic and Tomato Sauce

  • 1 Yellow onion, diced
  • 3 Cloves of garlic
  • 1 Red bell pepper
  • About 4 cups chopped tomato
  • 2 Tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 Tbsp salt
  • 1 Tsp pepper
  • A few basil leaves (optional)

Instructions: 

Dice onions and garlic. Add them to a pot on medium heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Dice red pepper and add to the pot once onions and garlic are fragrant and translucent, about 5 minutes. Rough chop tomatoes and add to the pot. Stir in tomato paste, salt, pepper and basil. Turn heat to medium low and allow everything to simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. After 30 minutes, blend with an immersion blender or in a regular blender. Add more salt and pepper to taste, and enjoy, or save in a jar for later!

*This article is intended for informational purposes. The statements above have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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