This Cherry Tomato Sauce is so fresh and delicious! It's an easy recipe that comes together in one pan and is ready in minutes. And the end result is a flavorful sauce that can be used in many different ways. The acidity of the tomatoes does all the work and pairs beautifully with heart-healthy olive oil, fragrant garlic, and fresh basil. If you like the taste of roasted cherry tomatoes, you'll love this burst tomato pasta sauce! 😊
As a dietitian, I love frequenting the Farmer's Market when I can. Especially in the summer months during tomato season! So I had to grab a few pints of cherry tomatoes to make this burst cherry tomato sauce. It's one of my favorite ways to use up an abundance of tomatoes and basil!
Whether you have a bumper crop of cherry tomatoes or you grab your tomatoes at the grocery store, you have to try this delicious sauce. It's great for when you don't have a lot of time and want a foolproof dinner.
This was inspired by my Green Pasta Sauce and pairs well with my favorite Turkey Meatballs. I hope you love this recipe as much as I do! 😊
Jump to:
- Video of How to Make Cherry Tomato Sauce
- Key Ingredients and Substitutions
- How to Make Cherry Tomato Sauce
- Variations
- Ideas for How to Serve Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce
- Storage for Cherry Tomato Sauce
- Expert Advice
- Dietitian tip
- FAQ
- Related
- Perfect for Pairing
- Want to Learn More About Nutrition?
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
Video of How to Make Cherry Tomato Sauce
Here's a video of how to make this recipe that I hope is helpful! Don't forget to check out the recipe card below for the full recipe.
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
This Cherry Tomato Sauce is made with simple fresh ingredients. Below are some ingredient notes. Be sure to check the printable recipe card at the bottom for exact ingredient measurements and complete recipe.
- Cherry Tomatoes - fresh cherry tomatoes work best for this recipe, but you can use grape tomatoes if it's what you have. Cherry tomatoes are sweeter and have thinner skin. They're also less meaty than grape tomatoes so they have more juice and really pop in this sauce. Use fresh tomatoes if possible. You can use a combination of larger tomatoes and small tomatoes, and feel free to throw in some orange cherry tomatoes!
- Garlic - you'll use a good amount of fresh garlic cloves to add flavor to this recipe and it'll have your kitchen smelling amazing! Garlic is an antimicrobial and also contains antioxidants, manganese, and vitamin B6. In my opinion, you can never have too many cloves of garlic in an easy tomato sauce like this one. Add yellow onion for even more flavor.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil - If possible, use a high-quality olive oil for this recipe because with so few ingredients the flavor of your olive oil will really shine through. Olive oil is high in an Omega-9 fatty acid called oleic acid that is anti-inflammatory and may reduce the risk of heart disease.
- Fresh Herbs - adding fresh basil leaves at the end is a great way to enhance the authentic Italian flavor.
- Red Pepper Flakes - I like to add a small amount of crushed red pepper flakes for a little bit of spice!
- Kosher Salt & Black Pepper - to tie all the flavors together.
How to Make Cherry Tomato Sauce
Below are the step-by-step instructions for how to make this fresh tomato sauce recipe with some visuals that I hope are helpful! Don't forget to check out the recipe card at the bottom for the full recipe.
- Step 1 - Slice your garlic cloves and chop fresh basil. Set aside.
- Step 2 - Heat a large pan or large skillet on medium heat. Add the extra-virgin olive oil and once hot, add garlic. Heat for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 3 - Add the cherry tomatoes in a single layer. Then add red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper.
- Step 4 - Continue to heat, stirring occasionally for 3-5 minutes. When the tomatoes start to blister, use a potato masher or back of a wooden spoon to mash the tomato skins until they start to pop and juice comes out. Lower the heat a bit to low heat and continue to let the sauce simmer for another 10-15 minutes, stirring frequently. It will start to thicken and caramelize.
Step 5 - Turn the heat off and stir in the chopped basil.
Hint: If you prefer a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender to puree it to the consistency you prefer. You can also use a food processor for this.
Variations
The good thing about making homemade tomato sauce is you can customize to your taste! Below are some ideas but feel free to get creative.
- Spicy - double up on the crushed red pepper flakes if you prefer your pasta sauce on the spicier side.
- Cheesy - add grated, shredded, or shaved parmesan cheese along with the chopped basil at the end. Shredded mozzarella or ricotta would work here, too!
- Deluxe - if you want to add a bit more nutrition, wilting spinach into the sauce at the end is a great pairing with the tomatoes and basil. Spinach adds vitamins C and K, sweetness, and more antioxidants.
Ideas for How to Serve Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce
The best part about this delicious sauce is that you can up-level simple recipes with it! Once you have a big batch made, here are some ideas and some of the ways I enjoy it.
- Pasta dishes - one of the best ways to serve this sauce is on pasta! To do so, add your pasta of choice to a large pot of boiling salted water. I prefer to use either rotini or long pasta for this cherry tomato pasta recipe. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions or 1-2 minutes less if you prefer al dente pasta. Drain pasta water but be sure to save a tablespoon or two. You'll want a little starchy pasta water to add at the end. Add the cooked pasta to your roasted tomato sauce and mix it with the reserved pasta water. Add some Turkey Meatballs for protein!
- Zucchini noodles - mix in some noodles made with zucchini squash or summer squash with regular pasta. Zucchini and yellow squash are in season during the summer months and make a tasty addition.
- With Crusty Bread - use this cherry tomato sauce as a dipping sauce and serve with a big slice of crusty bread.
- As a Pizza Sauce - skip the store-bought pizza sauce and use this cherry tomato sauce instead! Top your crust with the sauce, more fresh basil, and mozzarella cheese.
- Tomato Soup - turn this flavorful tomato sauce into a soup by adding a cup or 2 of low-sodium vegetable broth and blending it. Add some Italian seasoning and heat it over medium-high heat until it's nice and warm.
Storage for Cherry Tomato Sauce
- Refrigerator - let the sauce cool and store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezer - freeze in a freezer bag or other freezer-safe container for up to 6 months. Allow it to defrost in the fridge.
Expert Advice
- Push gently on the cherry tomatoes to get the juice out. If you push too hard, they will splash a bit!
- Slice your garlic into relatively large pieces to avoid burning it.
- Be sure to keep an eye on the sauce and stir it frequently to make sure it's evenly cooked.
Dietitian tip
Tomatoes are a good source of a powerful phytochemical called lycopene which research has shown is protective against certain cancers and can help support brain health. And making tomato sauce at home is easier than you might think. Try this recipe as a delicious way to incorporate tomatoes into your diet. It's a great way to use up an abundance of tomatoes and fresh basil when they're in season! 😊
FAQ
While healthy means something different to everyone, this cherry tomato sauce is a nutrient-rich option. It contains powerful antioxidants, heart-healthy fats that also support brain health and hormone health, vitamin C, and potassium.
Cherry tomatoes are a bit sweeter and they have thinner skin, more juice, and less "meat". For those reasons, they are perfect to use in this tomato sauce recipe.
Yes, this cherry tomato pasta sauce is vegan.
Related
Looking for other dietitian recipes like this? Try these:
Perfect for Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Cherry Tomato Sauce:
Want to Learn More About Nutrition?
Here are some nutrition education articles from a dietitian:
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! I would love to hear from you! If you made this recipe, please leave me a review below or tag me in a photo or story on Instagram….I LOVE knowing there’s people out there trying out my recipes! 🙂 IG: @mallorythedietitian
📖 Recipe
Burst Cherry Tomato Sauce (Quick Recipe with Video)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes (20-24 ounces)
- 6 cloves garlic, sliced
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes more to taste
- ½ teaspoon salt more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper more to taste
- 1 cup basil, chopped
Instructions
- Slice garlic cloves and chop fresh basil. Set aside.
- Heat a large pan or large skillet on medium heat. Add the extra-virgin olive oil and once hot, add garlic. Heat for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the cherry tomatoes, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper to the large pan with the olive oil and garlic. Continue to heat, stirring occasionally for 3-5 minutes. When the tomatoes start to blister, use a potato masher or back of a wooden spoon to mash the tomato skins until they start to pop and juice comes out.
- Lower the heat a bit to low heat and continue to let the sauce simmer for another 10-15 minutes, stirring frequently. It will start to thicken and caramelize.
- Turn the heat off and stir in the chopped basil.
- Hint: If you prefer a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender to puree it to the consistency you prefer. You can also use a food processor for this.
Video
Notes
- Push gently on the cherry tomatoes to get the juice out. If you push too hard, they will splash a bit!
- Slice your garlic into relatively large pieces to avoid burning it.
- Be sure to keep an eye on the sauce and stir it frequently to make sure it's evenly cooked.
- Refrigerator - let the sauce cool and store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezer - freeze in a freezer bag or other freezer-safe container for up to 6 months. Allow it to defrost in the fridge.
Sources: Antioxidants Journal, The Kitchen
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