Whether you’ve got a glut of cherry tomatoes from your garden or found a great deal at the farmers’ market, this easy and flavorful pasta sauce recipe is a delicious way to use them up. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can have a delicious and fresh-tasting pasta sauce ready to enjoy in under an hour.
Cherry tomatoes are a great choice for pasta sauce because they’re sweet, juicy, and have a slightly tart flavor that balances the richness of the sauce. They’re also packed with nutrients, including vitamins A and C, potassium, and lycopene, an antioxidant that has been linked to several health benefits.
This cherry tomato pasta sauce recipe is a versatile one that can be used to top your favorite pasta, such as spaghetti, penne, or rigatoni. It’s also great for making a quick and easy weeknight meal.
Ingredients and Equipment
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Equipment:
- Large saucepan or Dutch oven
- Wooden spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Sharp knife
- Colander
How to Make Cherry Tomatoes Pasta Sauce
Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
Step 2: Add the cherry tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper to the saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the tomatoes have softened and the sauce has thickened.
Step 3: Use an immersion blender to puree the sauce until smooth. Or, transfer the sauce to a blender and puree until smooth. Return the sauce to the saucepan.
Step 4: Stir in the Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve over your favorite pasta.
Tips or Possible Variations
Tips:
- For a richer flavor, use sun-dried tomatoes instead of fresh cherry tomatoes.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little bit of heat.
- If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can use a regular blender to puree the sauce. Just be sure to let the sauce cool slightly before transferring it to the blender.
Possible Variations:
- Add a cup of cooked vegetables, such as spinach, kale, or zucchini, to the sauce.
- Use a different type of pasta, such as penne, rigatoni, or farfalle.
- Top the pasta with grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu for a complete meal.
No matter how you choose to make it, this cherry tomato pasta sauce recipe is sure to please everyone at the table. It’s a delicious and easy way to use up fresh cherry tomatoes and enjoy a tasty and nutritious meal.