Tomato passata recipe

This tomato passata lasts for months when bottled. Use it as it is or as a base for other recipes.

A bowl of passata on a wooden board with fresh tomatoes and basil
By Carlton Boyce | Published - 7 Jan 2026
Social Facebook Social Twitter Social Pinterest Email
Prep time
15 mins
Cooking Time
1 hour 15 mins

Ingredients

  • 2kg tomatoes
  • 200g shallots or small onions
  • 6-10 cloves of garlic
  • Small handful of your favourite herbs like rosemary, basil, or oregano
  • 1tsp salt
  • 1tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1tbs granulated white sugar
  • 50ml olive oil
  • A couple of glugs of balsamic vinegar

Method

  1. Chop the tomatoes into evenly sized chunks or slices.
  2. Slice the shallots or onions thinly and peel and slice the garlic cloves.
  3. Lay the herbs on the base of an oiled baking tray. Place the tomatoes, shallots, onions and garlic on top and drizzle with the oil and balsamic vinegar and sprinkle with the sugar, salt, and pepper.
  4. Roast in a 180°C oven for an hour or so until they’re soft and unctuous.
  5. Remove from the oven and remove any woody pieces of herb. Then whizz in the food processor until the mixture is smooth.
  6. Pass through a sieve to remove any seeds or bits of tomato skin or stalk.
  7. Check the seasoning and then pour the still-warm mixture into hot, sterilised jars. Tighten the lids well.
  8. Stand the jars in a large saucepan and cover with warm water. Slowly bring it to the boil and simmer for fifteen minutes to sterilize everything properly.
  9. Leave to cool before checking that all the lids are now depressed. If any aren’t, you’ll need to use that jar of passata within the next couple of days. Otherwise they will keep in a cool, dark place for months.

Makes approximately 900ml

(Hero image credit: Getty)

Carlton Boyce

Written by: Carlton Boyce

Carlton gave up being a prison governor to become a freelance motoring journalist six years ago, and now earns his living travelling the world driving, photographing and writing about cars. He’s also previously worked as a lumberjack, police officer, retail manager, breakfast chef, and smallholder, allowing him to write about more than just cars.

View author page
Related articles
Dish of spaghetti covered in tomato sauce with meatballs and garnished with basil leaves
The Hairy Bikers' spaghetti and meatballs
Mary Berry's classic fruit scones
Mary Berry’s fruit scones
Vegetable and chervil soup
Raymond Blanc's vegetable and chervil soup 'Façon Maman Blanc'
Bread, cheese and wine on a wooden board
Love food and wine?

Find out about Saga's gastronomy holidays here...

They say the way to the heart is through the stomach, and Saga’s thoughtfully crafted food and wine holidays are perfect if you like trying new flavours and exploring traditional methods of cooking.

Find out more
Four sets of hands holding glasses of red wine together in a cheers
Hand-picked wines from Vintage by Saga

High quality wines conveniently delivered direct to your door and covered by our 100% money back guarantee. Join our wine club today and save £85 on your first case

Find out more

Related articles

A boiled egg with the top removed and a runny yolk, with a small piece of bread dipped in
How to cook a perfect boiled egg - From the ultimate egg to an air fryer hack

The best ways to boil an egg, which may surprise you, and the egg-boiling mistakes to avoid.

Healthy granola bowl with yoghurt
The best granola to buy: tried and tasted
Oaty, nutty and fruity, granola is a breakfast staple. Which shop-bought mix bowled us over?
Grapefruit topped with cottage cheese - delicious! | Getty/kaphotollc
Bland, boring and back: why is cottage cheese in fashion again?
Welcome to the cottage cheese revival – but is it even good for you? And would YOU eat it?
potatoes and onions being stored together
The foods you must never store together
If you want your food to last longer, we've got the 5 common food pairs you must never store together.
Young man and his senior father going through shopping list while buying in supermarket
How to save money on your food shop – without noticing the difference

We’ve found the best money-saving alternatives to some of the most popular branded products. 

Close-up of a barista pouring frothed milk into a coffee mug in front of a large coffee machine
The secrets of cafe-quality coffee (and it’s not just about the machine)
We quizzed the experts on why a barista brew always tastes so good – and got some insider tips on how to recreate it at home.
Hand swirling a glass of red wine on a blurred background of a wine cellar
The best low alcohol wines offering great taste without the headache
Want to take a break from booze? From low-alcohol Tempranillo to 0% aperitifs, our expert has the best on offer.
A person putting tomatoes away - but should tomatoes be stored in the fridge? | GettyLiudmila Chernetska
Don’t store these 7 foods in the fridge

These foods will lose flavour and freshness if you store them in the fridge.

A delicious chicken kyiv | Getty Images
The best chicken Kyiv we've tried and tasted
Chicken Kiev has been popular for more than a century, but which supermarket Kyiv is best?
three rolled up Chinese style duck pancakes on a table with chopsticks
How to cook Chinese food in an air fryer - with 3 easy recipes to try
We've got expert advice on how to cook up a feast in your air fryer in minutes.
Baked chicken and salad
How to bake perfect chicken
Avoid dry, overcooked meat with our guide to baking chicken in the oven.
A man wearing an apron pours white wine from a glass into a pan of food, with various vegetables on the worktop
Diana Henry's tips for cooking with alcohol
If you've got leftover sherry, vermouth or limoncello, the food writer shares her advice on how to use alcohol in your cooking.
Someone putting a cooked shepherd's pie into a red flask to eat outdoors
Food for your flask – take your dinner outdoors
Flasks aren’t just for soup and hot drinks: we’ve got two delicious recipes to cook and take with you anywhere.
Cooked couscous
How to cook couscous
Versatile and easy, couscous is a useful staple in your kitchen cupboard.
Black air fryer in a kitchen setting
How to cook healthy food in your air fryer - with 3 recipes to try
Advice from an expert on healthy air fryer swaps, with delicious and easy recipes to get you started.