Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
A bright-tasting meal that comes together in 20 minutes! This Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce recipe is a winner for its simplicity, freshness, and deliciousness. It’s a dish that you’ll want to make again and again!
Serve with Crusty Bread. You’ll also love my Quick Tomato Paste Pasta Sauce.
Quick Look: Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Servings: 6 people
- Dietary: Vegetarian, can be made vegan and dairy-free (omit cheese)
- Method: Stovetop
- Technique: Heat olive oil and sauté garlic, then add the tomatoes and cook until they burst and release their juices. Gently press the tomatoes to create a sauce, then toss with al dente pasta and finish with fresh basil and cheese.
- Flavor and Texture: Bright and fresh with sweet, juicy tomatoes balanced by garlic and olive oil. The sauce is light yet rich, with a slightly chunky texture from burst tomatoes.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Pasta Recipe
It is a simple recipe with fresh tomatoes that will make everyone run to the table. Here’s why you’ll love this pasta with scrumptious roasted grape tomatoes.
- Great for Entertaining: This pasta dish is impressive enough to serve to guests at a dinner party yet simple enough to make for a casual dinner at home that the whole family will love. Plus, it’s easy to scale up to accommodate larger gatherings.
- Quick and Easy: This recipe comes together in about 20-25 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Fresh Ingredients: With ripe cherry tomatoes, fresh garlic, and basil, this recipe bursts with vibrant flavors. Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for best results.
- Healthy Option: This dish uses olive oil and fresh vegetables, offering a healthier alternative to store-bought pasta sauces and creating a lighter meal.
- Satisfying and Comforting: There’s something inherently comforting about a bowl of pasta coated in a flavorful tomato sauce.
This simple pasta dish is one of my favorites for busy weeknights during tomato season. If you want to go the extra mile, make homemade Fresh Pasta.
You will love my Lobster Pasta, Pasta Puttanesca, and Tomato Pasta recipes too!
Made With Amore,
“Thank you Elena for sharing this wonderful recipe! So simple to make and is so fresh and delicious. It’s going on my weekly menu! This was my first recipe I’ve tried and know it will not be the last.”
– Jaycee
Table of Contents
Simple Ingredients
This easy cherry tomato pasta sauce has only a few fresh ingredients.
- Cherry Tomatoes: The key ingredient to this easy pasta recipe – small, sweet tomatoes that burst open when cooked, releasing their juices and creating a flavorful sauce. Make sure to get the sweetest you can find!
- Pasta: Use any shape you prefer, such as spaghetti, angel hair pasta, orecchiette, penne, or fusilli.
- Olive Oil: Used for sautéing the garlic and cherry tomatoes, adding richness and flavor to the sauce.
- Garlic: Adds a pungent and aromatic flavor to the sauce when finely chopped and sautéed in olive oil. You can also use a shallot as an alternative.
- Fresh Basil: When coarsely chopped and stirred in at the end of cooking, it adds a fresh, herbaceous flavor and aroma to the sauce.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations & Substitutions
- Vegetable Additions: Incorporate other vegetables to add texture and flavor to the sauce. Sautéed bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach would all be excellent additions. Add them to the skillet and cherry tomatoes and cook until tender. Try my Eggplant Pasta Sauce recipe next.
- Protein: Add protein to make the dish more filling. You can stir in cooked chicken, shrimp, or sliced Italian sausage. For a vegetarian option, consider adding white beans or chickpeas. You’ll like my Frutti di Mare!
- Creamy Sauce: If you prefer a creamy sauce, stir in a splash of heavy cream or coconut milk towards the end of cooking. This will create a rich and velvety texture. Alternatively, add a dollop of cream or mascarpone cheese for a luxurious finish. Take a look at my Gemelli Pasta Recipe with Tomatoes and Mascarpone.
- Olives or Capers: Add chopped olives or capers to the sauce for a briny kick—their salty and tangy flavor pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the cherry tomatoes. Stir them in along with the other ingredients.
How to Make Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce
This pasta is super simple to make! Follow the step-by step photos and see the recipe card at the bottom for a printable version.
- Heat pan with olive oil and add garlic.
- Add the cherry tomatoes.
- Cook the tomatoes until they burst. Smash lightly with a wooden spoon.
- Cook pasta al dente.
- Add hot pasta to pan and then the fresh basil.
- Add in the parmesan cheese and mix.
Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce FAQs
While grape and cherry tomatoes are similar in size and shape, they differ. Grape tomatoes are generally more elongated and oblong in shape, resembling a grape, hence the name. Cherry tomatoes are typically rounder and smaller. Taste-wise, they are quite similar, with both being sweet and flavorful. However, some may find cherry tomatoes slightly sweeter than grape tomatoes. In terms of culinary usage, they are interchangeable in most recipes.
You can use any pasta you prefer or have on hand. Popular options include spaghetti, penne, fusilli, or even whole wheat or gluten-free varieties for dietary preferences. Choose a pasta shape you enjoy that will hold the sauce well. For example, shapes with nooks and crannies, like penne or fusilli, can catch and hold the sauce effectively.
Once the sauce has cooled, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. When ready to serve, reheat the sauce gently on the stove. If the sauce has thickened during storage, add a splash of water or broth to loosen it up to your desired consistency.
Serving Suggestions
I love serving this burst cherry tomato pasta as a fresh and vibrant main dish after enjoying starters like Bruschetta with Fresh Tomatoes, or an Italian Chopped Salad. It pairs beautifully with other favorites like these Best Meatballs or Juicy Baked Chicken Breasts for a simple but elevated dinner. If you want to end on a sweet note, serve it with Lemon Tiramisu or Italian Butter Cookies for the perfect Italian-inspired meal.
My Pro Tips
Recipe Tips
- Use Ripe Tomatoes: Choose ripe cherry tomatoes for the best flavor. Look for tomatoes that are firm but yield slightly to gentle pressure. Ripe tomatoes will be sweeter and juicier, enhancing the overall taste of the sauce.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the sauce as it cooks and adjust the seasoning to your preference. Add more salt, pepper, or crushed red pepper flakes for extra flavor. Remember, adding more seasoning than fixing an overly seasoned dish is easier.
- Control Texture: If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can use a potato masher or immersion blender to blend the cherry tomatoes after they’ve burst partially. This will create a thicker, more uniform sauce. Alternatively, leave the tomatoes whole for a chunkier texture.
- Save Pasta Water: Reserve some of the pasta cooking water before draining. The starchy water is used to thin out the sauce and help it cling better to the pasta. Add a splash at a time until you achieve the desired consistency.
- Fresh Herbs: Adding fresh basil at the end of cooking brightens the dish’s aromatic flavor. Tear the basil leaves instead of chopping them to release more of their natural oils. You can also garnish with additional fresh herbs for a pop of color and freshness.
More Italian Recipes
💙 MADE THIS RECIPE AND LOVED IT? 💙 Please leave a ⭐️STAR rating and COMMENT below- I love connecting with you! Tag me with your creations on Instagram and find me on Pinterest.
Cherry Tomato Pasta Recipe
Equipment
- Large pot for boiling pasta
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta of your choice
- Kosher salt
- ½ cup olive oil
- 2 large large garlic cloves, or 1 small shallot, finely chopped
- 3 pints cherry tomatoes
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pinch sugar, if needed
- 1 cup fresh basil, coarsely chopped
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- Freshly grated Parmigiano cheese or Pecorino cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta. Set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Use a fork or the back of a wooden spoon to press down on the tomatoes to burst them gently. Season with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a pinch of sugar (if the sauce is a bit acidic). Stir well to combine.
- Cook the tomatoes until they soften and release their juices, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the crushed red pepper for some heat. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Combine the Sauce and Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the tomato sauce. Toss well to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
- Serve: Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the coarsely chopped fresh basil.
- Serve the pasta hot, topped with freshly grated Parmigiano cheese or Pecorino cheese. Garnish with additional fresh basil leaves if desired.
- Enjoy your burst cherry tomato pasta!
Notes
- Use Ripe Tomatoes: Choose ripe cherry tomatoes for the best flavor. Look for tomatoes that are firm but yield slightly to gentle pressure. Ripe tomatoes will be sweeter and juicier, enhancing the overall taste of the sauce.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the sauce as it cooks and adjust the seasoning to your preference. Add more salt, pepper, or crushed red pepper flakes for extra flavor. Remember, adding more seasoning than fixing an overly seasoned dish is easier.
- Control Texture: If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can use a potato masher or immersion blender to blend the cherry tomatoes after they’ve burst partially. This will create a thicker, more uniform sauce. Alternatively, leave the tomatoes whole for a chunkier texture.
- Save Pasta Water: Reserve some of the pasta cooking water before draining. The starchy water is used to thin out the sauce and help it cling better to the pasta. Add a splash at a time until you achieve the desired consistency.
- Fresh Herbs: Adding fresh basil at the end of cooking brightens the dish’s aromatic flavor. Tear the basil leaves instead of chopping them to release more of their natural oils. You can also garnish with additional fresh herbs for a pop of color and freshness.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This is so yummy! Even my kids who don’t like tomatoes eat it.
What a compliment from the kids! I am happy everyone enjoyed this recipe. Win-win. So many yummy ones to try!