Cherry Tomato Sauce

This cherry tomato sauce is incredibly simple, yet perfectly flavored. With so few ingredients (only 8!), it's important to splurge for high quality.

Recipe includes a how-to video!

Course Dinner, sauce

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Servings servings

Calories 365kcal

Author Sam Merritt

Equipment

Large skillet

Ingredients

¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil
5 large garlic cloves smashed
⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper or more to taste
4 cups (623 g) cherry tomatoes 22 oz
½ teaspoon table salt
¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
½ teaspoon granulated sugar optional/as needed, see note
10 large basil leaves torn
8 oz (226 g) pasta for serving (I like spaghetti or angel hair pasta)
Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)

Instructions

Place a large skillet over medium-low heat and add olive oil.
Once oil is warmed, add garlic cloves and crushed red pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 3-5 minutes (don’t allow garlic to brown).
¼ cup olive oil, 5 large garlic cloves, ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper
Carefully (so the oil doesn’t splash) add cherry tomatoes, salt, pepper, and sugar (if using). Cook, stirring frequently, until tomatoes begin to burst. Once tomatoes are mostly burst, remove the garlic cloves and discard and gently smash the tomatoes (I use a potato masher, but you could use a fork).
4 cups cherry tomatoes, ½ teaspoon table salt, ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper, ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
Add basil and stir well. Simmer while you prepare the pasta (if using) according to package instructions (be sure to reserve some pasta water from cooking).
10 large basil leaves, 8 oz pasta
Add warm pasta and about 2 Tablespoons of reserved pasta water and cook over medium-low heat until sauce clings to the pasta. Serve warm, topped with parmesan cheese (if desired).
Parmesan cheese

Video

Notes

Sugar

The flavor of your tomatoes makes all the difference. Sweet cherries are my fav, if yours aren’t sweet or are acidic you may need the sprinkle of granulated sugar.

Storing

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition