Savory Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato Sauce
Transform your winter dinners with this delectable Savory Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato Sauce, a rich and flavorful dish born from an early edition of Quick Cooking. With fresh plum tomatoes at their peak during the harvest season, this sauce captures the essence of summer, bringing bold flavors to comforting chicken cacciatore or your favorite pasta. Perfect for meal prep, this crock pot recipe yields a generous amount, allowing you to savor its homey taste or easily stash it away in the freezer for those busy weeknights when you crave a taste of summer warmth.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
plum tomatoes
4 lbs (coarsely chopped)
sweet white onion
1 large (chopped)
canned tomatoes in puree
1 (28 ounce) can (ready to use)
marinated artichoke hearts
2 (7 ounce) jars (drained and chopped)
roasted sweet red peppers
3 (7 ounce) jars (drained and chopped)
fresh mushrooms
1/2 lb (quartered or sliced)
sliced ripe olives
2 (2 1/4 ounce) cans (drained)
sugar
1/4 cup (none)
balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup (none)
extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup (none)
garlic cloves
3 (minced)
dried basil
1 tablespoon (none)
dried oregano
1 tablespoon (none)
salt
1 teaspoon (to taste)
cooked pasta
as needed (to serve)
Instructions
1
Start by coarsely chopping the fresh plum tomatoes and placing them in a large bowl.
2
Chop the sweet white onion into small pieces and add it to the tomatoes.
3
Drain the marinated artichoke hearts and roasted red peppers, then chop them into bite-sized pieces.
4
Quarter or slice the fresh mushrooms and drain the ripe olives.
5
In a 5-quart slow cooker, combine all the prepared ingredients including the canned tomatoes in puree, sugar, balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, dried basil, dried oregano, and salt.
6
Mix gently to ensure even distribution of all ingredients.
7
Cover the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
8
Once cooked, let the sauce cool slightly before using an immersion blender to purée it to your desired consistency.
9
Serve the sauce over cooked pasta or atop browned chicken for a hearty meal.
10
This recipe yields approximately 15 cups, perfect for storing in portions.
11
To freeze, divide the sauce into 6-cup containers for easy future meals.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato Sauce?
It is a rich and flavorful crock pot sauce made with plum tomatoes, roasted red peppers, artichokes, and mushrooms, ideal for pasta or chicken cacciatore.
How many cups of sauce does this recipe yield?
This recipe yields approximately 15 cups of sauce.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is tagged as vegetarian.
What type of tomatoes are best for this sauce?
The recipe calls for 4 pounds of fresh plum tomatoes and one 28-ounce can of tomatoes in puree.
How long should I cook the sauce in the slow cooker?
Cook the sauce on the HIGH setting for 4 to 5 hours.
Can I freeze this roasted red pepper and tomato sauce?
Yes, it is freezer-friendly and can be divided into containers for easy future meals.
What size containers are recommended for freezing?
It is recommended to divide the sauce into 6-cup containers for freezing.
What type of vinegar is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar.
How many garlic cloves are required?
You will need 3 minced garlic cloves.
What kind of mushrooms should I use?
The recipe calls for 1/2 pound of fresh mushrooms, either quartered or sliced.
Do I need to peel the fresh tomatoes?
The instructions only specify to coarsely chop the fresh plum tomatoes.
What equipment is used to achieve a smooth sauce consistency?
Use an immersion blender to puree the sauce to your desired consistency after it has cooked.
What kind of onion is recommended?
The recipe uses one large sweet white onion, chopped.
How many jars of roasted red peppers are needed?
You will need three 7-ounce jars of roasted sweet red peppers.
Are olives included in this sauce?
Yes, the recipe includes two 2 1/4-ounce cans of sliced ripe olives, drained.
What herbs are used for seasoning?
The sauce is seasoned with 1 tablespoon of dried basil and 1 tablespoon of dried oregano.
What size slow cooker is needed for this recipe?
A 5-quart slow cooker is recommended for this amount of ingredients.
How do I prepare the artichoke hearts?
Drain two 7-ounce jars of marinated artichoke hearts and chop them into bite-sized pieces.
Is there sugar in this sauce recipe?
Yes, 1/4 cup of sugar is added to the mixture.
What oil is used for the sauce?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil.
Can this sauce be served over pasta?
Yes, it is excellent served over cooked pasta.
Is this sauce suitable for chicken dishes?
Yes, it is specifically recommended for topping browned chicken or used in chicken cacciatore.
How much salt should be added?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of salt, or you can add it to taste.
Does the sauce require mixing before cooking?
Yes, you should mix the ingredients gently in the slow cooker to ensure even distribution.
Why is this considered a harvest recipe?
It uses fresh plum tomatoes at their peak during the harvest season to capture summer flavors.
Should the roasted red peppers be drained?
Yes, the roasted red peppers should be drained and chopped before being added to the slow cooker.
Is this a good meal prep recipe?
Yes, the large yield makes it perfect for storing in portions and freezing for busy weeknights.
What is the origin of this recipe?
This recipe was born from an early edition of Quick Cooking.
Can I use an immersion blender while the sauce is hot?
The instructions suggest letting the sauce cool slightly before using the immersion blender.
Is this considered a comfort food?
Yes, it is described as a homey, comforting dish perfect for winter dinners.