Oven Tomato Sauce

DIRECTIONS

• Place a sheet pan on the middle rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Place the garlic cloves, onion, and Italian seasoning in a bowl and toss with 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
• Core the tomatoes and cut them in half.
• Carefully remove the hot sheet pan from the oven. Drizzle about 3 tablespoons of olive oil on the sheet pan and tilt and swirl to disperse.
• Place the tomatoes flesh side down on the sheet pan. Add the onion mixture around the tomatoes.
• Sprinkle with a heavy pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper.
• Bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until the tomato skins are wrinkly and the garlic cloves are soft.
• Remove the sheet pan from the oven. Let cool for 5 minutes.
• Carefully pull the skins from the tomatoes, leaving the tomatoes on the sheet pan.
• Remove the skins from the garlic cloves and return to the sheet pan.
• Sprinkle with sugar, balsamic vinegar, and a bit more salt and pepper. Mash the tomatoes a fork and stir to combine.
• Bake for another 25-30 minutes until thickened and hot. Let cool 10 minutes.
• Transfer to a blender or food processor, along with the basil leaves, and blend until smooth.