Cherry Tomato Sauce

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!

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.

Heat Skillet and Oil: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the oil and heat through for about one minute.
Add Garlic: Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant and softened.
Combine: Add the tomatoes, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and fresh basil if you desire.
Cook: Cook and stir sauce the sauce for 10-15 minutes. Allow the sauce to simmer on medium-low heat until the tomatoes burst.
Mash: Mash the tomatoes using a mashing utensil. You can also use the back of a fork to mash the tomatoes.
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.