When I start seeing deals on in-season tomatoes, I’m reminded that it’s time to make Fire Roasted Spaghetti Sauce again. I look for a good sale and then buy a ton. Made from scratch spaghetti sauce is in a league of its own. First of all, homemade anything is almost always better than store bought, but this recipe, in particular, will spoil you for homemade spaghetti sauce. Don’t be afraid to try making sauce from scratch if this is your first time—you will love it! It is true that the most time consuming part of this recipe takes place in a crock pot, with very little babysitting. However, there are definitely some extra steps involved in producing what you will find to be the most delicious spaghetti sauce. Tomatoes are roasted on a grill, skinned and then pureed with other fresh ingredients. Then the sauce will slow cook in a crockpot while flavors blend together in perfect harmony. This recipe makes a lot of sauce. You can have a really large gathering, give the extra sauce away to friends, freeze it, or can it. Whatever you choose, everyone who gets to try it will want it again and again.
Do I have to grill the tomatoes? In order to create the rich flavor that makes this sauce so amazing, you will have to grill the tomatoes. Although it is an extra step from regular spaghetti sauce, it’s definitely worth it and it’s actually a fairly easy process. If you don’t have a grill, you can get a good roasted flavor by broiling the tomatoes. Cut them in half, place them with the skin side up on a baking sheet and broil on high for 10 minutes and then on low for another 5. Alternatively, you can roast your tomatoes and garlic in the oven. Roast at 425 degrees for about 30 minutes, until tomato skins are blackened and easy to peel. Can I use canned fire roasted tomatoes to make spaghetti sauce? You can. They just don’t have the awesome flavor that freshly roasted tomatoes have, but if you find yourself in a pinch or you just don’t feel like grilling the tomatoes, you can use prepared ones—it will still make a great sauce. For a great recipe using preserved tomatoes, like canned fire roasted tomatoes, please check out this recipe instead. STORAGE/FREEZER INSTRUCTIONS: This sauce is great when made a day or two in advance, as this gives the flavor even more time to develop. This sauce can be stored in an airtight storage container (like a mason jar) in the fridge for 7 to 10 days. To freeze, divide the sauce into quart sized freezer bags. Lay the bags flat in the freezer until frozen solid. The sauce will stay good in the freezer for about 3 months. CANNING INSTRUCTIONS: Sterilize 6 pint sized mason jars. Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice into each jar. Fill the jars with prepared spaghetti sauce, leaving 1/2 inch at the top. Place the lids and bands on the jars and secure tightly. Process in a boiling water bath for 35 minutes.
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