Sun dried tomato sauce is a rich and creamy sauce made from chopped sun dried tomatoes, cream, cheese, garlic, herbs, and white wine.
The flavor is deep, savory, and slightly tangy, creating a delicious addition to pasta, chicken, seafood, and vegetables.
I first became interested in making this sauce after watching home cooks prepare rustic Italian inspired meals filled with bold flavors and simple ingredients. Seeing those dishes inspired me to create my own version in my kitchen.
Now I will explain how to make sun dried tomato sauce step by step so anyone can prepare it successfully at home.
About This Sun Dried Tomato Sauce
Sun Dried Tomato Sauce has a rich, creamy texture and a bold savory flavor that stands out in every bite. The sun dried tomatoes bring a concentrated tomato taste with a gentle tangy note, while the cream creates a smooth and luxurious finish.
Parmigiano Reggiano and Pecorino Romano add depth and a pleasant salty character. Garlic, thyme, basil, and oregano blend beautifully to enhance the overall flavor.
The sauce coats pasta, chicken, seafood, and vegetables wonderfully, creating a satisfying dish that feels hearty, comforting, and full of balanced Mediterranean inspired flavors.
How To Prepare Sun Dried Tomato Sauce?
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Course: Sauce, Condiment
Difficulty: Easy
Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Cooking Style: Stovetop Cooking
Dish Type: Cream Sauce
Season: Suitable Year-Round
Yield: About 2 cups
Servings: 4 servings
Kitchen Utensils
- Medium saucepan
- Wooden spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Kitchen scale
- Cheese grater
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Serving spoon
Ingredients
- 70 g (½ cup) sun-dried tomatoes in oil, chopped
- 80 ml (â…“ cup) dry white wine
- 1 garlic clove (5 g), minced
- 25 g (¼ cup) Parmigiano Reggiano, grated
- 15 g (1 tbsp) tomato paste
- 1 tsp (1 g) dried thyme
- 25 g (¼ cup) Pecorino Romano, grated
- 1 tsp (1 g) dried basil or 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
- ½ tsp (0.5 g) dried oregano
- ¼ tsp (0.5 g) ground black pepper
- 240 ml (1 cup) heavy cream
- ½ tsp (3 g) kosher salt
How To Make Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce
Step 1:
Drain the sun-dried tomatoes slightly and chop them into small pieces. Mince the garlic and grate both cheeses if not already prepared.
Step 2:
Place a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and garlic. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring frequently until fragrant.
Step 3:
Pour in the white wine and stir in the tomato paste. Let the mixture simmer for 2–3 minutes until the wine reduces slightly and the flavors concentrate.
Step 4:
Add the thyme, basil, oregano, black pepper, and salt. Stir well so the herbs are evenly distributed throughout the sauce.
Step 5:
Pour in the heavy cream and reduce the heat to low. Simmer gently for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce begins to thicken.
Step 6:
Add the Parmigiano Reggiano and Pecorino Romano. Stir continuously until the cheeses melt completely and the sauce becomes smooth, creamy, and rich. Serve immediately over pasta, chicken, seafood, or vegetables.
Special Note
Sun dried tomato sauce is incredibly flexible! If you’re looking to cut down on the richness, you can skip the cream or substitute it with a plant-based option like coconut cream or cashew cream.
Additionally, if you prefer a smoother consistency, add more vegetable broth until you reach the desired thickness. You can also swap out olive oil for avocado oil for a lighter flavor.
Nutrition Facts Of Sun Dried Tomato Sauce
| Nutrition | Amounts |
|---|---|
| Calories | 295 calories |
| Fat | 25 grams |
| Saturated Fat | 15 grams |
| Carbohydrates | 8 grams |
| Sugar | 4 grams |
| Protein | 9 grams |
| Fiber | 2 grams |
| Sodium | 0.42 grams |
| Cholesterol | 0.08 grams |
How It Works
This sun dried tomato sauce comes together by building layers of flavor. Sun-dried tomatoes and garlic create a rich, savory base, while white wine adds brightness and balances the richness.
Tomato paste deepens the tomato flavor and helps thicken the sauce. Heavy cream provides a smooth, velvety texture that carries all the ingredients together.
Parmigiano Reggiano and Pecorino Romano melt into the warm cream, adding a salty, nutty depth and naturally thickening the sauce.
As everything gently simmers, the flavors blend beautifully, creating a creamy, flavorful sauce perfect for pasta, chicken, seafood, or vegetables.
Why Peoples Like Sun Dried Tomato Sauce?
People love sun dried tomato sauce because it delivers a bold, rich flavor with minimal effort. The sun-dried tomatoes bring a deep, slightly sweet and tangy taste that feels more intense than fresh tomatoes.
When combined with cream, garlic, and cheese, it becomes smooth, savory, and comforting. It also works with many dishes like pasta, chicken, seafood, and vegetables, making it very versatile.
The sauce feels restaurant-quality but is easy to make at home. Its balance of creamy texture, umami depth, and aromatic herbs makes it especially satisfying and memorable for many home cooks.
Expert Tips And Tricks
1. Use tomatoes packed in oil because they are softer, more flavorful, and blend smoothly into the sauce. If using dry ones, soak them in warm water or wine first to soften them.
2. Cook garlic gently in the pan just until fragrant. This step creates the base aroma of the sauce, but overheating it will make the sauce taste bitter and harsh.
3. After adding wine, simmer it until it reduces by at least half. This removes the sharp alcohol taste and leaves behind a rich, slightly tangy depth that balances the cream.
4. Once the heavy cream goes in, keep the heat low. High heat can cause the cream to split or become grainy, so gentle simmering is key for a silky texture.
5. Pre-grated cheese often doesn’t melt well. Freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano and Pecorino Romano melt evenly and give the sauce a smooth, luxurious finish.
6. Give the sauce time to thicken naturally. Slow simmering allows the herbs, tomatoes, cream, and cheese to fully combine into a rich, cohesive sauce.
7. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of pasta water to loosen it while keeping it silky. If it’s too thin, simmer a little longer until it coats the spoon nicely.
Serving Suggestions
This sun dried tomato sauce is rich and versatile, making it perfect for many dishes. Toss it with pasta like penne, fettuccine, or spaghetti for a creamy, flavorful meal.
Spoon it over grilled chicken or baked salmon to add a gourmet touch. Sun dried tomato sauce also works well with shrimp, roasted vegetables, or gnocchi for a comforting dinner.
Serve it as a dipping sauce with warm crusty bread or garlic bread for extra indulgence. For a lighter option, drizzle it over steamed vegetables or use it as a creamy base for casseroles and baked dishes.
Storage
Let the sun dried tomato sauce cool completely before storing. Place it in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
The sun dried tomato sauce may thicken when chilled, so reheat gently on low heat and add a splash of cream, milk, or water to loosen it if needed.
For longer storage, freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Stir well while warming to restore its smooth, creamy texture and fresh flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use dried sun-dried tomatoes instead of those packed in oil?
Yes, you can use dried sun-dried tomatoes. Just be sure to soak them in warm water for about 10-15 minutes until they soften before using them in the recipe.
How long will the sun-dried tomato sauce last in the fridge?
The sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Be sure to let it cool completely before refrigerating.
Can I freeze sun-dried tomato sauce for later use?
Yes, you can freeze the sauce for up to 3 months. Simply let it cool, transfer it to a freezer-safe container, and thaw it when needed.
Can I make this sauce spicier?
Absolutely! If you prefer a spicier sauce, you can add more red pepper flakes or even fresh chili peppers to the mixture for an extra kick.
What can I serve this sun-dried tomato sauce with?
This sauce is extremely versatile! You can serve it with pasta, pizza, grilled vegetables, sandwiches, or as a dip for breadsticks or roasted potatoes. The options are endless!
Conclusion
This delicious sun dried tomato sauce was easy to make and turned out rich, creamy, and full of flavor. After preparing it, I enjoyed every bite, and it quickly became a favorite at my table.
My guests and family members truly liked it and appreciated the homemade taste. I felt very happy with this simple success because the recipe came together so smoothly.
It is a dish everyone can try at home with confidence. I hope others will also make sun dried tomato sauce and enjoy the same comforting, flavorful result with their loved ones.
More Delicious Recipes You Also Like
Magnolia Bakery Vanilla Cake | Moist And Fluffy
Lemon Chocolate Cake Recipe | Unique Dessert
Keto Cheese Bread Recipe | A Low-Carb
Chocolate Raspberry Mousse Cake | Luxurious Treat
Honey And Vanilla Cake – Moist And Flavorful
Sun Dried Tomato Sauce
Equipment
- Medium saucepan
- Wooden spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Kitchen scale
- Cheese grater
- knife
- Cutting board
- Serving spoon
Ingredients
- 70 g ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, chopped
- 80 ml â…“ cup dry white wine
- 1 garlic clove 5 g, minced
- 25 g ¼ cup Parmigiano Reggiano, grated
- 15 g 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp 1 g dried thyme
- 25 g ¼ cup Pecorino Romano, grated
- 1 tsp 1 g dried basil or 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
- ½ tsp 0.5 g dried oregano
- ¼ tsp 0.5 g ground black pepper
- 240 ml 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ tsp 3 g kosher salt
Instructions
Step 1:
- Drain the sun-dried tomatoes slightly and chop them into small pieces. Mince the garlic and grate both cheeses if not already prepared.
Step 2:
- Place a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and garlic. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring frequently until fragrant.
Step 3:
- Pour in the white wine and stir in the tomato paste. Let the mixture simmer for 2–3 minutes until the wine reduces slightly and the flavors concentrate.
Step 4:
- Add the thyme, basil, oregano, black pepper, and salt. Stir well so the herbs are evenly distributed throughout the sauce.
Step 5:
- Pour in the heavy cream and reduce the heat to low. Simmer gently for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce begins to thicken.
Step 6:
- Add the Parmigiano Reggiano and Pecorino Romano. Stir continuously until the cheeses melt completely and the sauce becomes smooth, creamy, and rich. Serve immediately over pasta, chicken, seafood, or vegetables.
Notes
Hello and welcome to All Recipe Make! I’m Julia, the creator behind this food and lifestyle blog, and I’m so glad you’re here. With four years of experience developing recipes, I love crafting dishes that are delicious, fun, and nourishing. Here, you’ll discover a wide range of recipes from vegan and gluten-free options to simple, budget-friendly meals. My aim is to help you bring something special to your table without spending a fortune. Thanks for stopping by I hope you enjoy exploring these recipes as much as I enjoy creating and sharing them!