Roasted cherry tomatoes tossed with olive oil and herbs make this deliciously rich and flavorful cherry tomato pasta sauce a must-try recipe! This recipe comes together in just over 30 minutes and is perfect for summer.
If you're like me and are wondering what to do with cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes, this cherry tomato pasta sauce is the answer! Last year I tried my hand at growing tomatoes for the first time and I ended up with so many cherry tomatoes. As a result, I made this sauce almost every week last summer.
Roasting cherry tomatoes enhances their flavor and takes regular tomato sauce to the next level. I also use this method for tomato soup and my favorite tomato gnocchi.
If you like my cherry tomato galette orsummer pasta, you are sure to love this cherry tomato pasta sauce!
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Recipe features
- Type of tomatoes: This recipe uses cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes. They are roasted until bursting and add a rich, deep flavor to the pasta sauce.
- Simple ingredients: The sauce uses under 10 ingredients, most of which are pantry staples!
- Quick to make: Ready in just over 30 minutes.
- Versatile: This sauce is easy to double, freeze and customize.
Ingredients
- Cherry tomatoes: I like to use a mix of red and orange tomatoes for appearance. You can also use grape tomatoes or even small slicing tomatoes.
- Olive oil: I recommend an olive oil that you enjoy the flavor of because it contributes a lot to the sauce. But you don't need to buy the most expensive bottle at the grocery store; you can usually get a flavorful olive oil in the middle price range.
- Garlic: I use 3-6 garlic cloves, depending on the clove size. This makes the pasta sauce very garlicky. Adjust to taste.
- Dry herbs: Dry parsley, thyme, rosemary, and oregano add a bunch of flavor. All of the herbs in this recipe can be omitted or substituted.
Step by step instructions
Note: I do recommend that you cook pasta when you make this sauce because the recipe uses pasta water. Reserve at least ½ cup pasta water from the cooked pasta. If you don't plan to cook pasta when making the sauce, simply use an equal amount of water and adjust the salt to taste.
Step one: Layer cherry tomatoes and sliced garlic on a half-sheet pan. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, tossing with clean hands to coat. You can layer the sheet pan with parchment paper for easier cleanup if desired.
Step two: Roast cherry tomatoes and garlic at 400F for 20 minutes total. After 10 minutes remove the tomatoes and stir them around. Return to the oven for another 10 minutes, or until the cherry tomatoes burst and the skins are shriveled.
Step three: Place a medium saucepot over medium heat. Once hot, drizzle in 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the dry herbs to bloom. Cook for 30 seconds to a minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
Step four: Add in the cherry tomatoes, garlic, any liquid that collected on the pan, salt, and half of the basil. Stir to combine. Add in ¼ cup pasta water to thin the sauce. Simmer uncovered for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.
At this point, you can serve the cherry tomato sauce or immersion blend it. Add extra pasta water as needed to thin the sauce.
Cassidy's tips and customization
- This recipe makes only about 2-4 servings, depending on your appetite. You can easily double or even triple the recipe. The baking time will remain the same.
- Texture: This is a pretty chunky sauce as-is. You can puree it in a blender or immersion blend it to make smooth sauce.
- Sweetness: The cherry tomatoes are naturally sweet, so I don't add any sugar. If you do want a sweeter pasta sauce you can add ½ teaspoon white sugar.
- Herbs: You can use 1 and ½ teaspoons fresh chopped herb in place of ½ teaspoon dry herb as desired. Feel free to adjust the herbs to taste.
- Garlic: You can make extra garlick-y sauce by roasting an entire bulb of garlic. To do this, slice the top inch off of a bulb of garlic and drizzle with olive oil. Wrap in foil and roast for 45 minutes to an hour.
- Heat: Add a pinch or two of red pepper flakes to make the sauce spicy.
FAQ
Yes, but I recommend slicing them into wedges first to remove the core so that they cook more quickly.
No. This cherry tomato sauce is not tested for canning. I recommend using a recipe that is specifically made to be canned.
Storage and serving
- Refrigeration: For best quality, keep homemade tomato sauce refrigerated in a closed container for 3-4 days.
- Freezing: This sauce freezes well. Let cool to room temp before transferring to a freezer-safe jar or container. Make sure to leave at least ½ inch of space at the top of the container for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Serving: Use cherry pasta tomato sauce anywhere you use regular pasta sauce. I always top it with fresh Parmesan cheese and additional fresh basil. Make it a meal with panko breaded tofu cutlets, crispy chickpeas, or your favorite protein. Spinach also goes really well wilted into the sauce.
Looking for more summer favorites?
Did you try this recipe? You can leave a star rating in the recipe card or a review in the comments below. Or check out my cookbook and keep up to date with my YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, or newsletter!
Recipe
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Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce
Ingredients
- 6-8 ounces pasta of choice I use fettucine
- 16 ounces cherry tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil divided
- 3-4 cloves garlic more to taste
- ½ teaspoon dry oregano see note #1
- ½ teaspoon dry thyme
- ½ teaspoon dry parsley
- ½ teaspoon dry rosemary
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ to ½ cup reserved pasta water see note #2
- ½ cup basil chiffonade (slice thinly)
- shredded Parmesan for topping, optional
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a half sheet pan with parchment paper (optional).
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve at least ½ cup cooked pasta water before draining.
- Slice garlic cloves into 2-3 pieces. Layer the cherry tomatoes and garlic on the sheet pan. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil and use clean hands to coat.
- Roast cherry tomatoes and garlic at 400F on the middle oven rack for 20 minutes total. After 10 minutes remove the tomatoes from oven and stir around to promote even cooking. Return to the oven for another 10 minutes, or until the cherry tomatoes appear burst and the skins are shrived.
- Place a medium sauce pot over medium heat. Once hot, drizzle in 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the dry herbs to bloom (oregano, thyme, parsley, rosemary). Cook for 30 seconds to a minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Add in the cherry tomatoes, garlic and any liquid that collected on the pan, salt and ¼ cup of the basil. Stir to combine. Add in ¼ cup pasta water to thin the sauce. Once simmering, reduce heat to low and let simmer uncovered for 5 minutes. Add remaining ¼ cup pasta water as needed to thin. Taste for salt.
- Serve pasta topped with the cherry tomato sauce, remaining basil, freshly ground black pepper to taste and a sprinkle of Parmesan (optional). Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Herbs: All herbs can be omitted or substituted. You can use 1 and ½ teaspoons fresh chopped herb in place of dry.
- Pasta water: If you're not making pasta you can add water instead. It won't be as silky but it will help thin the sauce.
- Servings: Nutrition facts are calculated using 3 servings. This recipe makes 2-4 servings depending on appetite. The recipe can be doubled or tripled.
- Storage: For best quality, keep refrigerated in a closed container for 3-4 days.
Check out my YouTube channel for a step-by-step video!
Stacy says
I found and watched your YouTube video a couple of weeks ago. I harvested a couple of pounds of cherry tomatoes, sweet yellow and volunteer miniature Roma’s (from composting) the last couple of days. I tried the recipe this evening and it’s delicious- definitely a keeper. I added a just a pinch of dried mint - just seemed like a good idea - and it was! Added a nice hint of flavor. I am going to try canning a pint or two - with the tomatoes still abundant on the vines - it will be awesome to have in the winter months. I’ll reduce spices accordingly but I have no doubt it will be great. Thanks for a wonderful recipe. I’ll be exploring your website for more deliciousness.
Cassidy Reeser says
I would have never thought to try it with mint, but now I'll have to because that sounds delicious! Thanks so much for trying the recipe. It will be a great treat to have homemade tomato sauce on hand this winter 🙂
JMP says
Just made this sauce with my organic garden tomatoes...looks and smells great! Will have it for dinner tonight. Thank you!
Cassidy Reeser says
Enjoy! 🙂
Pat says
Do I have to remove skins from tomatoes?
Cassidy Reeser says
No, I leave the skins on for this recipe.
Avani Vora says
Great pasta sauce that has quickly become a staple and a recipe that's super easy to understand and follow! Love your work Cassidy!
Cassidy Reeser says
Perfect!! Thanks so much for the review!
Cathy’s says
Delicious and easy to make with few ingredients! I use half the salt and Italian whole wheat pasta for a healthier version.
Cassidy Reeser says
Thanks so much for the review!