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You can easily make tomato sauce using cherry tomatoes with just a few ingredients. Cherry tomatoes infused with fresh garlic and Italian seasonings make this cherry tomato sauce perfect for pasta, on top of roasted vegetables, or with a side of artisan bread.

When my garden is bursting with tomatoes, I have plenty of tomatoes to make all the homemade sauce recipes I love. My easy tomato sauce and my homemade pizza sauce comes in so handy when we make pizza. I also love making a big batch of spaghetti sauce because my family will eat it throughout the week!

Overhead photo of cherry tomato sauce in a blue skillet with fresh basil on the side.

What Does Cherry Tomato Sauce Taste Like?

Cherry tomatoes surprisingly make a rustic and savory sauce! If you aren’t familiar with cherry tomatoes, then you are probably wondering what is different about them! Cherry tomatoes are much sweeter than larger tomatoes. They produce more pectin than most kinds of tomatoes. The pectin is what helps your tomato sauce get nice and thick.

Everyone knows that when you plant tomatoes, you better have recipes ready to use for your crop! What can you do with the overloaded tomatoes from your garden? Try using them in this incredible baked chicken or these tasty kabobs as a side dish. I also love to make this salad in the summertime with fresh cherry tomatoes.

What Do You Need For Cherry Tomato Sauce?

Using fresh tomatoes always makes tomato sauce taste much more homemade and adds many flavors. I always make sure to plant cherry tomatoes and fresh basil so I can make this rustic sauce. You can find cherry tomatoes and fresh basil year-round at most stores, so the good news is you can make this sauce anytime! Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the exact measurements.

  • Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil is my favorite because it has a little extra flavor.
  • Garlic: I always like to use fresh garlic. It adds such a delicious flavor, and I want to put it in everything!
  • Cherry Tomatoes: Keep your cherry tomatoes whole. Just remove the stems and leave the skin on. Just try to resist devouring them all!
  • Salt: Salt helps balance out all the tomato sauce flavors.
  • Pepper: Cracked black pepper is always what I reach for to add a little bit of flavor but not too much heat.
  • Italian Seasoning: Adding Italian seasoning flavors the sauce perfectly! I love homemade Italian seasoning, but feel free to use store-bought.

How Do You Make Cherry Tomato Sauce?

The beauty of this cherry tomato sauce is that it doesn’t require any blanching or removal of the tomato skins to make it. It comes together so quickly that it makes for a great weeknight meal. A tip I learned when making tomato sauce is to add in just a pinch of sugar. This helps balance out the flavors if the sauce tastes acidic.

  1. Heat Skillet and Oil: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the oil and heat through for about one minute.
  2. Add Garlic: Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant and softened.
  3. Combine: Add the tomatoes, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and fresh basil if you desire.
  4. Cook: Cook and stir sauce the sauce for 10-15 minutes. Allow the sauce to simmer on medium-low heat until the tomatoes burst.
  5. Mash: Mash the tomatoes using a mashing utensil. You can also use the back of a fork to mash the tomatoes.
  6. Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh basil and serve over pasta, with a side of bread, or add meat.
Four process photos of how to make cherry tomato sauce.  First photo is olive oil and garlic in a large skillet.  Second photo is the cherry tomatoes, seasonings, and fresh basil added to the skillet.  Third photo is the cooked tomatoes and seasonings in skillet.  Fourth photo is mashing the tomati in the skillet.

Variations

This cherry tomato sauce is SO versatile, and you will love the many ways you can enjoy it! You decide how you want to serve it! It is a crowd-pleasing sauce and will be the perfect option for even your gluten-free guests.

  • Add Cheese: You can never go wrong with parmesan, mozzarella, or any Italian cheese grated on top! A dollop of ricotta or burrata cheese would be SO amazing with this sauce and add creaminess to the sauce. This is my favorite way to enjoy this sauce!
  • Over Pasta: Boil and drain any pasta you would like! This sweet cherry tomato sauce smothered on pasta is out of this world. I like serving this sauce with angel hair or spaghetti.
  • Add Meat: Add some protein with the addition of ground beef, ground pork, or ground turkey! Even sausage or grilled chicken would be delicious for all you meat lovers!
  • Make it Gluten-Free: Zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash are great gluten-free options. Any cooked or sauteed vegetables would be an excellent base for this sauce. And don’t forget the parmesan cheese on top!
  • Add a Side of Bread: Crusty artisan bread on the side would taste delicious! Any toasted bread to dip in the sauce would be perfect.
  • Make it Spicy: Feel free to add some heat and make your sauce spicy with the addition of red pepper flakes! I love the extra kick it gives the sauce.
  • Top with Fresh Herbs: Top with fresh basil leaves or fresh minced parsley. It adds excellent flavor and vibrant color to the tomato sauce making the presentation beautiful!
Close view of cherry tomato sauce with a gold spoon lifting up the sauce.

Tips For Storing Leftovers

Storing cherry tomato sauce is just as easy as making it! This recipe makes great leftovers and you can use any extra that you have on hand for lunch or dinners throughout the week. I think the flavors are even better the next day and I know you will think so too!

  • Refrigerate:  Store the cooled cherry tomato sauce in an airtight container. Make sure to get all the juices from the sauce into the container. You are going to want to save every single drop! Place the container in your fridge and it will last for up to 5 days.
  • To Reheat: Cover and reheat the sauce in the microwave until warmed through. You can also reheat it on the stove. Just add the sauce to a saucepan and cook for 5-7 minutes over medium heat. Make sure to cover the pan with a lid to avoid any of the sauce from splattering out.
Overhead photo of pasta in a a white bowl with spaghetti noodles and cherry tomato sauce on top.  Fresh basil garnished on top and on the side.

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Cherry Tomato Sauce

4.50 from 4 votes
With just a few ingredients you can easily make tomato sauce using cherry tomatoes. Cherry tomatoes infused with fresh garlic and Italian seasonings make this cherry tomato sauce perfect for pasta, on top of roasted vegetables, or with a side of artisan bread.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the oil and heat through for about one minute.
  • Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant and softened.
  • Add the tomatoes, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and fresh basil if you desire.
  • Cook and stir sauce the sauce for 10-15 minutes. Allow the sauce to simmer on medium-low heat until the tomatoes burst.
  • Mash the tomatoes using a mashing utensil until desired consistency. You can also use the back of a fork to mash the tomatoes.
  • Garnish with fresh basil. Serve over pasta, with a side of bread, or add meat.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 141kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 2gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gSodium: 317mgPotassium: 534mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1168IUVitamin C: 55mgCalcium: 41mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner, Sauce
Cuisine: Italian American
Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Alyssa Rivers is the author of 'The Tried and True Cookbook', a professional food photographer and experienced recipe-developer. Having a passion for cooking, her tried and true recipes have been featured on Good Morning America, Today Food, Buzzfeed and more.

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Recipe Rating




15 Comments

  1. 3 stars
    Great base recipe, followed it to the T, and for whatever reason it tasted way too bright and bland. Tomatoes might not have been the best but I still expected more flavor. Added more Italian seasoning, salt, and garlic powder, which really punched up the flavor and balanced it out. Will try to recipe as is again in the future with better quality tomatoes since it’s possible that was the issue.

  2. I have a ton of cherry tomatoes, so I’ve made this recipe twice now, it’s fantastic! I used fresh garlic, basil and oregano from my garden and it’s amazing! My go-to recipe from here on out!

  3. 5 stars
    Had an abundance of cherry tomatos so tried this recipe. I had some tonight over cheese ravioli with Parmesan and black pepper over the top and it was fabulous! This will be my go to recipe.

  4. Delicious sauce and so easy to make. Will be planting more cherry tomatoes next year to be able to freeze this wonderful sauce.

    1. Yes! Make sure to store it in an airtight container or bag and it should be able to stay frozen for 3-4 months.

  5. 5 stars
    I used my garden tomatoes as you said; then I used an immersion blender and put the sauce through a strainer….so good. I also added a jalapeño pepper from my garden.

  6. Sorry, but it was a BIG mistake not blanching the cherry tomatoes and removing the skins first. Wont do that again. Ended up having to slow cook for HOURS to try to break down the tough skins… 😒😏

    1. Hi! I’m so sorry this didn’t work out for you! Did you mash the tomatoes? What temperature were you cooking these on?

      1. 5 stars
        The sauce is delicious! I did use an immersion blender and removed some of the skins with a slotted spoon. It’s fun and simple to make. I added ground beef, but it’s very tasty without, simply over pasta and a sprinkle of fresh Parmesan cheese.

    1. I haven’t tried that before with this recipe, but I think as long as you have the right canning equipment and an understanding of food safety when it comes to canning, it should work!