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Home » recipes » Spicy Tomato Sauce

Spicy Tomato Sauce

40 minutes
garlicjalapenotomato
Posted:5/20/21
Updated:10/2/21
Jump to Recipe

This Spicy Cherry Tomato Sauce pairs well with pasta, pizza, and so much more. Roasted with tomatoes, jalapenos, and basil, this flavorful sauce is easy to make and better than storebought!

spicy tomato sauce in white bowl next to cherry tomatoes on table.

Sweet and spicy tomato sauce

I’m a huge fan of making my own tomato sauce instead of buying it from a store. I don’t think people understand just how easy it is, not to mention affordable! It’s also the best excuse to use up an abundance of garden fresh tomatoes and to add flavor and depth to plenty of recipes.

After I made my Oven Roasted Cherry Tomato Sauce, it only felt natural for me to give the sauce some kick using fresh garden jalapenos in the mix. Thus, my Spicy Cherry Tomato Sauce was born! Once the tomatoes and peppers are done roasting in this recipe, they’re blended with a handful of spices and herbs to create a fresh and spicy sauce without any weird ingredients. 

This 5-ingredient sauce is not overwhelmingly hot but has a slight kick. It’s very easy to control the level of heat and make the sauce exactly the way you like. Whether you want a little spice or a big kick of heat, the choice is yours!

Cherry tomato sauce in bowl on table.

How do you make tomato sauce spicy?

Traditional Italian tomato sauce is sweet and herbaceous. To make it spicy, simply roast chili peppers alongside the tomatoes. Using roasted jalapeno or serrano peppers in tomato sauce makes it spicy and gives the taste a Mexican-inspired flare.

Is this sauce different from arrabbiata sauce? 

Arrabbiata sauce is an Italian tomato sauce made with tomatoes and red chilis. Although this recipe is similar to an arrabbiata, my spicy cherry tomato sauce uses fresh jalapenos to help it taste more vibrant.

What kind of tomatoes are best in homemade tomato sauce?

For this recipe, I used garden cherry tomatoes. I love using them for sauce because they’re packed with flavor and are naturally sweet. Feel free to make this recipe using any tomato you enjoy, such as:

  1. Beefsteak
  2. Roma
  3. Heirloom
  4. Grape tomatoes
  5. Vine ripened
cherry tomatoes on table.

Pro Tip: Keep in mind that tomatoes with higher water content, such as beefsteak tomatoes, will give your sauce a thinner consistency. If you prefer your sauce on the thicker side, I recommend using smaller tomatoes instead, like grape or cherry. 

How to make roasted cherry tomato sauce

The beauty of this tomato sauce is in its simplicity! Adding the veggies to a sheet pan and roasting until everything is broken down will help release their flavors and make a beautiful sauce when blended. Here’s how it’s done:

Place the tomatoes, jalapenos and garlic in a single layer on a baking pan, drizzle with olive oil (I always buy mine in bulk), and sprinkle some onion powder on top.

cherry tomatoes with garlic and jalapenosn on baking sheet.

Bake the veggies until the tomatoes are wrinkly and have started to release some juices.

baked tomatoes that are wrinkly and popping on baking sheet.

Once they’re slightly cool, add the tomatoes and jalapenos to a food processor or blender along with the garlic powder and salt & pepper.

Blend until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Use it immediately or store it away for later. 

bowl of spicy cherry tomato sauce in bowl next to uncooked pasta.

Ways to use spicy cherry tomato sauce

One of my favorite ways to use this sauce is with these Slow Cooker Meatballs. The spicy and creamy sauce adds a nice kick to the meatballs, making it a sauce-covered protein to add to sandwiches or spaghetti. Otherwise, the sauce is perfect on all of your favorite pasta dishes like Stuffed Shells, and Mexican Lasagna. 

Spicy cherry tomato sauce is also a great base for your favorite pizza or tomato pie. When all else fails, it’s great for adding extra spice in chili, hearty soups, and stews.

Storing and freezing

To store: If not using immediately, store the cooked and cooled sauce in glass jars or airtight containers for 3-5 days in the fridge.

To freeze: Frozen tomato sauce has a shelf life of up to a year if properly stored in airtight containers, freezer-safe bags, or in jars with tight lids. When it’s time to eat, leave the sauce to thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating and serving. 

Looking for more sauces to try?

  • Roma Tomato Sauce (watch the tomato sauce story here)
  • Italian Crushed Tomato Sauce
  • Oven Roasted Beef Tomato Sauce
  • Easy Diced Tomatoes

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This Spicy Cherry Tomato Sauce pairs well with pasta, pizza, and so much more. Roasted with tomatoes, jalapenos, and basil, this flavorful sauce is easy to make and better than storebought!
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4.50 from 4 votes

Spicy Cherry Tomato Sauce

Print
This Spicy Cherry Tomato Sauce pairs well with pasta, pizza, and so much more. Roasted with tomatoes, jalapenos, and basil, this flavorful sauce is easy to make and better than storebought!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 cups cherry tomatoes stems removed
  • 2 jalapeno peppers seeds removed, cut in half
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/3 cup fresh basil
  • salt + pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
  • Spread tomatoes, jalapenos and garlic in a shallow baking pan or baking sheet. Add olive oil and onion powder on top, and stir to fully coat everything.
  • Place in the oven and bake for 35 minutes.
  • Allow to cool for a few minutes and then pour the pan of tomatoes into the food processor (careful, it's hot!). Add fresh basil and salt and pepper to taste in the food processor.
  • Pulse until sauce is creamy.
  • Use it right away, or throw it in the fridge to use tomorrow, or freeze it for next month. Enjoy!

Notes

This  recipe makes 3 cups of sauce.
Other tomatoes you can use instead of cherry tomatoes: beefsteak, roma, heirloom and grape tomatoes.
 
Course:Main Course
Cuisine:American
Keyword:spicy tomato sauce
Did you make this?I love seeing what you’ve made! Tag me on Instagram at @BrooklynFarmGirl and don’t forget to leave a comment & rating below.

Similar Recipes

  • Spicy Italian Crushed Tomato Sauce
  • Oven Roasted Beef Tomato Sauce
  • Roasted Cherry Tomato Sauce
  • Roma Tomato Sauce

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  1. Sarah says

    September 10, 2022 at 10:32 am

    Recipe was delicious but doesn’t make the 3 cups it says

    Reply
  2. Casey says

    August 25, 2020 at 6:50 pm

    I never usually leave comments for recipes I try, but I had to this time. This sauce is AWESOME!! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 26, 2020 at 9:52 am

      Thank you Casey, I’m so happy to hear you liked this suace! Thanks for commenting!

      Reply
  3. Lily says

    June 16, 2020 at 11:30 am

    Seriously? You use fresh tomatoes but can’t be bothered using fresh garlic?

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      June 16, 2020 at 1:10 pm

      Hi Lily, if you’d like to use fresh garlic, by all means, go for it! If I have some that I just picked from the garden I will use it instead of the powdered form. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Jeanie says

    September 2, 2019 at 3:32 pm

    This is the first time I made it, it looks so good.

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 3, 2019 at 10:08 am

      So happy to hear you liked the sauce. Thanks for commenting Jeanie!

      Reply
  5. Jeanie says

    September 2, 2019 at 3:31 pm

    can you can your Roma tomato sauce

    Reply
  6. TRACIE F GRIER BOEHME says

    August 20, 2016 at 6:40 pm

    I’ve just started the journey into making sauce. This recipe was simple and great! My husband and I really enjoy the kick.

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 20, 2016 at 6:48 pm

      So happy you guys enjoyed this sauce! Thanks for letting me know!

      Reply
  7. Alexander says

    September 2, 2014 at 11:25 am

    I just made this and it is divine, I added roast garlic and onions to substitute for the powders which I was lacking. Also, a drizzle of reduced balsamic elevated this to heavenly status. By far the best tomato sauce I have ever made, will be adding it to the make-as-often-as-possible repertoire. Thanks so much!
    -Alex

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 2, 2014 at 3:00 pm

      So happy to hear you thought this was delicious Alexander! Thanks for reporting back to let me know!

      Reply
  8. Jennie says

    August 29, 2014 at 6:25 pm

    This sauce is so good! I did add sliced onions to tomatoes and jalapeños when roasting. Added splash of red wine when processing. Perfect!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 29, 2014 at 7:02 pm

      Yum, those jalapenos sound great Jennie!

      Reply
  9. Erren @ Erren's Kitchen says

    August 7, 2014 at 3:18 am

    This looks SO GOOD!

    Reply
  10. Sophie says

    August 5, 2014 at 10:42 am

    Yumm! I am so going to make it with my red cherry tomatoes & with my green chills! Yummm!

    Reply
  11. [email protected] The Gastronomic Bong says

    August 2, 2014 at 3:01 pm

    I love spicy sauce… tomato sauce with jalapenos sounds out of the world.. so delicious.. 🙂

    Reply
  12. Emma @ Bake Then Eat says

    August 2, 2014 at 1:05 pm

    That cheeky little spicy kick sounds divine I bet your kitchen smelt lovely while these were roasting!

    Reply
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