Roasted Vegetable Pasta Sauce

Craving that long-cooked red sauce flavor but short on time? This Roasted Vegetable Pasta Sauce starts with jarred marinara sauce, then is made better with a few simple ingredients and veggies for a harmonious blend of convenience and freshness in every bite!

Why This Recipe is a Keeper!

We don’t rely on jarred marinara sauce because I prefer to make my own. However, I like to keep a jar or two in the pantry for those nights when even a personal chef could use a helping hand.

Canned tomatoes vary greatly in taste and acidity, so I find nothing wrong with using your favorite jarred marinara as the base for a pasta sauce. Adding fresh herbs such as fresh basil, garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes for some heat takes this roasted vegetable pasta sauce up a notch and freshens the flavor.

Inspired by my super popular ratatouille recipe, this indulgent Roasted Vegetable Pasta Sauce’s lively color palette and hearty texture make it an ideal match for any pasta shape. Best of all, it’s super easy, and you can make it with things you may already have in your pantry!

Start the flavor party with good-quality jarred marinara, add fresh tomato taste with crushed tomatoes, a touch of red wine for depth, roasted Mediterranean vegetables, garlic, and fresh herbs.

Even though it’s now officially fall, many people are still harvesting stray veggies from their gardens. Zucchini, yellow squash, bell peppers, and eggplant are considered summery vegetables, but they’re available all year round so you can make this vegetable pasta sauce any day of the year.

Whether you’re a dedicated vegetarian, a health-conscious foodie, or simply someone looking to add more vegetables to your diet, this Roasted Vegetable Pasta Sauce delivers!

This roasted vegetable pasta sauce recipe is:

• Easy!
• Flavorful!
• Versatile!
• Make-ahead!
• Freezer-friendly!

How to Make Roasted Vegetable Pasta Sauce:

Recipe Ingredients:

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this Roasted Vegetable Pasta Sauce recipe, along with instructions for preparing the ingredients. The exact quantities are on the recipe card below.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions:

• Bell Peppers: I used a combination of red and yellow, but you can use any combination of sweet bell peppers. Avoid using green bell peppers if possible because of their bitter and “green” underripe flavor.
• Zucchini and Yellow Squash: I used zucchini and yellow squash, but all zucchini and/or yellow squash will also work.
• Eggplant: Large eggplant tends to take on a more bitter flavor, so use a small, young eggplant. It won’t require salting and draining, which takes additional time.
• Red Onion: I like to use red onion in tomato sauce because they’re both mild and sweet.
• Dry Red Wine: Use a good-quality wine you enjoy drinking. NON-ALCOHOL SUBSTITUTE: Add a splash of balsamic vinegar.
• Marinara Sauce: Use a high-quality marinara sauce such as Rao’s or Victoria’s. Using purchased marinara sauce in this vegetable pasta sauce recipe adds a long-cooked flavor without the long cooking time.
• Crushed Tomatoes: Crushed tomatoes are made by peeling and seeding whole tomatoes, then crushing them.  Tomato puree is usually added. Crushed tomatoes have a slightly chunkier texture than canned tomato sauce or purée, and their flavor is slightly more concentrated. Because of the consistency, they’re a good choice for pasta sauces. For this roasted vegetable pasta sauce recipe, they add a fresh tomato taste!

Step-By-Step Instructions:

• Gather and prep all the ingredients.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Toss bell peppers, zucchini, yellow squash, and eggplant with 1/4 cup olive oil, spread onto a baking sheet, and roast for 20 minutes or until the vegetables are tender and lightly caramelized.

• Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large saucepan. Add onion and cook for 5 to 6 minutes or until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 15 seconds.

• Add dry red wine and bring to a boil. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until slightly reduced.

• Add pasta sauce, crushed tomatoes, and crushed red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer. Cook for 8-10 minutes for flavors to blend.

• Stir in the roasted vegetables, fresh basil, and parsley. Heat through. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. If necessary, add a pinch or two of sugar.

• That’s it!
• Serve over almost any pasta shape, but especially:
  • Rigatoni
  • Penne
  • Orecchiette
  • Ziti
  • Shells

Ways to Use Roasted Vegetable Pasta Sauce:

• Over pasta or spaghetti squash.
• Toss with pasta and cheese, then place in a baking dish. Bake when ready for a bubbling hot vegetable pasta bake!
• Replace the meat sauce in this spaghetti pie.
• As lasagna or spooned over cheese-stuffed pasta shells.
• As the base for eggs in purgatory.
• Flatbread pizza.
• Serve over lightly breaded and fried chicken scallopini, similar to my Chicken Milanese.

Chef Tips and Tricks:

• Bump up the flavor of this vegetable pasta sauce recipe even more by grilling the vegetables for a smoky edge.
• Using a shallow pan such as the one shown here will speed up the wine reduction. More water from the sauce will evaporate faster, producing a thicker sauce.
• MEAT LOVERS:  This Roasted Vegetable Pasta Sauce is just as good made with beef or a combination of beef and pork! 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Storage:

• Store any vegetable pasta sauce leftovers in the refrigerator or freezer. Consume within 5 days.

Make it a meal with:

• Artichokes in Instant Pot
• Sicilian Cauliflower Salad
• Raspberry Ricotta Cake with Almonds

More great Italian-inspired recipes you’ll love!

• Gnocchi with Cherry Tomato Puttanesca Sauce
• Slow Cooker Spicy Italian Sausage Ragu
• Cannelloni with Chicken
• Lasagna with Pesto Green Beans and Potatoes

Get all my pasta recipes at Pasta Recipes – From A Chef’s Kitchen.