Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce

By Becky Hardin

Published May 29, 2024

When tomatoes are in season, I love to make this cherry tomato pasta sauce! Rich, sweet, and flavorful cherry tomatoes add a bright and juicy flavor to tomato sauce that is just so yummy. Plus, this sauce is so easy to make, and it pairs beautifully with penne– my kids’ favorite!

a bowl of pasta with cherry tomato pasta sauce. - 8

I love classic marinara sauce , but it can be time-consuming to make, so I developed this cherry tomato pasta sauce recipe to be ready to eat in just 30 minutes! This light but flavorful sauce uses both canned and fresh juicy cherry tomatoes to create a sauce that tastes like it’s been cooking all day long– trust me, no one will know your secret!

What’s in This Cherry Tomato Sauce Recipe?

Butter: Salted butter helps the garlic cook without burning and adds richness to the sauce.
Garlic: Minced fresh garlic adds a savory, earthy note to the sauce.
Tomatoes: Fresh cherry tomatoes and canned petite diced tomatoes pack this sauce with tomato flavor. Grape tomatoes also work well.
Cornstarch: Helps thicken the sauce lickety-split!

a skillet full of penne with cherry tomato pasta sauce. - 9

Tips for Success

There’s no need to remove the skin from the tomatoes before cooking them. In fact, the skins add a nice texture and a lot of flavor to the dish.
I recommend cutting the tomatoes in half, as pressure builds up when they’re left whole and they could burst in the pan, causing burn injuries.

How to Store and Reheat

You can store cherry tomato pasta sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Then, to reheat the pasta, you can transfer it to a microwave-safe dish and heat it on high power in the microwave, or transfer it to a pot or saucepan and heat it over medium heat on the stove, stirring occasionally.

I do not recommend freezing this dish, as the pasta can turn mushy and the sauce can easily get freezer-burned.

a bowl of pasta with cherry tomato sauce. - 10

Serving Suggestions

I usually serve this cherry tomato sauce with penne as the recipe suggests, but sometimes I like to get creative and pair it with homemade pasta for a special touch. It’s especially delicious alongside a slice of garlic bread and a crisp classic Caesar salad —perfect for recreating that cozy Italian restaurant vibe at home. You could even serve it with stuffed zucchini for a fun, veggie-packed twist!

Ingredients1x2x3x

▢ 16 ounces dry penne pasta
▢ 2 tablespoons salted butter (¼ stick)
▢ 2 teaspoons minced garlic
▢ 10 ounces cherry tomatoes washed and halved (1 container)
▢ 14.5 ounces Italian style petite diced tomatoes (1 can)
▢ 1 tablespoon cornstarch
▢ 1 tablespoon cold water
▢ 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil plus more for garnish
▢ Freshly grated Parmesan cheese optional, for garnish

Video

Instructions

Cook the pasta al dente according to the package directions, then strain and set it to the side. 16 ounces dry penne pasta
While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat and then add the garlic. 2 tablespoons salted butter, 2 teaspoons minced garlic
Cook for 1-2 minutes or until the garlic is fragrant, and then add the cherry tomatoes. 10 ounces cherry tomatoes
Continue cooking for 4-5 minutes or until the tomatoes are softened and begin to char.
Add in the can of tomatoes, stir well and bring everything to a simmer. 14.5 ounces Italian style petite diced tomatoes
While the sauce is simmering, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl to form a smooth liquid. 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 tablespoon cold water
Simmer the sauce for 4-5 minutes, and then slowly whisk the cornstarch mixture into the sauce.
Stir in the chopped basil and allow the sauce to come to a boil, and cook for 1 minute. 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
Remove the pan from the heat and add in the cooked pasta.
Gently toss together and serve hot with extra basil and fresh parmesan cheese, optional. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Becky’s Tips

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

How to Make Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce Step by Step

Cook the Pasta: Cook 16 ounces (1 box) of dry penne pasta al dente according to the package directions, then strain and set it to the side.

ingredients for penne pasta with tomatoes and basil. - 11

Melt the Butter: While the pasta is cooking, melt 2 tablespoons of salted butter in a large skillet over medium heat and then add 2 teaspoons of minced garlic.

a frying pan with tomatoes, garlic, basil and other ingredients. - 12

Cook the Garlic: Cook for 1-2 minutes or until the garlic is fragrant, and then add 10 ounces of cherry tomatoes.

a frying pan with tomatoes, basil and garlic. - 13

Cook the Tomatoes: Continue cooking for 4-5 minutes or until the tomatoes are softened and begin to char.

a frying pan with tomatoes, pasta and garlic. - 14

Simmer the Sauce: Add in 14.5 ounces (1 can) of Italian style petite diced tomatoes, stir well, and bring everything to a simmer.

a pan with tomato sauce, pasta and other ingredients. - 15

Prep the Cornstarch: While the sauce is simmering, whisk together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of cold water in a small bowl to form a smooth liquid.

a bowl of pasta, tomatoes and garlic. - 16

Thicken the Sauce: Simmer the sauce for 4-5 minutes, and then slowly whisk the cornstarch mixture into the sauce.

a pot of tomato sauce with pasta and other ingredients. - 17

Add the Basil: Stir in 1 tablespoon of chopped basil, allow the sauce to come to a boil, and cook for 1 minute.

a pan with tomato sauce and pasta on a white background. - 18

Add the Pasta: Remove the pan from the heat and add in the cooked pasta.

penne pasta in a pan with tomatoes and herbs. - 19

Toss and Serve: Gently toss together and serve hot with extra basil and fresh parmesan cheese, optional.

penne pasta with tomatoes and basil in a pan. - 20

More Pasta Sauce Recipes To Try

Homemade Marinara Sauce
Beef Bolognese
Pasta Pomodoro
Beef Ragu
Basil Walnut Pesto
Homemade Alfredo Sauce
Penne alla Vodka

a bowl of pasta with tomatoes and basil. - 21

Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce Recipe

Ingredients

16 ounces dry penne pasta
2 tablespoons salted butter (¼ stick)
2 teaspoons minced garlic
10 ounces cherry tomatoes washed and halved (1 container)
14.5 ounces Italian style petite diced tomatoes (1 can)
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon cold water
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil plus more for garnish
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese optional, for garnish

Instructions

Cook the pasta al dente according to the package directions, then strain and set it to the side. 16 ounces dry penne pasta
While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat and then add the garlic. 2 tablespoons salted butter, 2 teaspoons minced garlic
Cook for 1-2 minutes or until the garlic is fragrant, and then add the cherry tomatoes. 10 ounces cherry tomatoes
Continue cooking for 4-5 minutes or until the tomatoes are softened and begin to char.
Add in the can of tomatoes, stir well and bring everything to a simmer. 14.5 ounces Italian style petite diced tomatoes
While the sauce is simmering, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl to form a smooth liquid. 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 tablespoon cold water
Simmer the sauce for 4-5 minutes, and then slowly whisk the cornstarch mixture into the sauce.
Stir in the chopped basil and allow the sauce to come to a boil, and cook for 1 minute. 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
Remove the pan from the heat and add in the cooked pasta.
Gently toss together and serve hot with extra basil and fresh parmesan cheese, optional. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Video

Notes

Nutrition

By Becky Hardin

Published Jul 12, 2017

This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.

Essential Grocery List

It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!

It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.

However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.

In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.

I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.

Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List

What to Buy at the Grocery Store

This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.

When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.

So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!