Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce Recipe

4.50 from 8 votes

Learn how to make a simple and delicious roasted cherry tomato sauce perfect for pasta, pizza, and more. This easy homemade recipe uses fresh cherry tomatoes and a short list of aromatics. It's also freezer-friendly and is ready in under an hour.

Prep Time15

Cook Time1

Total Time1 15

Course: Sauces

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Cherry Tomato Sauce, Pasta Sauce, Tomato Sauce

Servings: 32oz Jar

Author: Silvia Dunnirvine

Equipment

Ingredients

3 cups cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
1 whole onion sliced
4 cloves garlic minced
1 - 1/2 tsp oregano
2 bay leaves
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

Instructions

place cherry tomatoes (whole) in a large sheet pan without overlapping. Drizzle with about 1/4 cup of olive oil, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bake at 400F degrees for 45 minutes.
In a large dutch oven or heavy pot add remaining oil. When oil is hot add in onions and garlic, sautéing until soften and fragrant but not browned. Add oregano, red pepper flakes, roasted cherry tomatoes and bay leaves. Cook on low heat for 15-20 minutes. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed.
Remove bay leaves.
Transfer to a blender and process until sauce is creamy and there are no chunks left. Alternatively you can use an immersion blender.
Transfer sauce to a jar and store in the fridge for up to 1 week. Alternatively you can freeze for up to 3 months.

Notes

If using whole tomatoes slice them in quarters.

Before blending the sauce put some roasted tomatoes aside to add to your final dish.

Tips to make the best tomato sauce

Use extra tomatoes - You don’t have to stick to cherry tomatoes. Instead, add the extra Roma or Heirloom tomatoes you already have at home. Cut them into quarters and roast them along with the others.
For a creamy finish - Stir ricotta, burrata, mozzarella, or a splash of heavy cream into the batch of sauce after it’s blended.
Craving more heat or a spicy arrabbiata sauce? Add up to 4 teaspoons of red pepper flakes.
Adjust the acidity - If your cherry tomato pasta sauce has bitter or acidic undertones, add a pinch of baking soda or sugar to help balance it out.

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