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Home » Recipe Type » Pasta
4.8 from 82 reviews

Roasted Cherry Tomato Sauce

40 minutes
basilgarlictomato
By: Pamela Reed
Posted:7/25/19
Updated:8/18/25
Jump to Recipe

ROASTED Cherry Tomato Sauce is sweet, creamy and SO EASY to make! This is the best recipe for growing garden tomatoes! You can serve immediately on pasta, can it or freeze it! Find out why thousands of people love this sauce!

spoon of cherry tomato sauce

The Best Cherry Tomato Sauce

My life has officially been taken over by tomatoes. Is there anything else to talk about except tomatoes right now? Tomato this, tomato that, do the tomato dance. If you’re as obsessed as I am, you’ll definitely want to check out my Slow Cooker Cherry Tomato Sauce and Pickled Cherry Tomatoes too — more tomato goodness for your kitchen!

This is my absolute favorite cherry tomato sauce. I’m a bit biased, but it’s been made by thousands of people, so trust those people and make it too! Pretty much once you make it, you’ll come back to it time and time again. And if you’re looking for a sauce made with bigger tomatoes, you’ll love my Roma Tomato Sauce — it’s another easy family favorite!

This homemade sauce doesn’t require you to simmer over the stove for 2 hours. The key to this recipe is first we oven roast the tomatoes — oh yeah, baby. Then after that, we throw them in a food processor with some fresh basil and season them. Then it’s made! It’s that easy.

Summer bookmarking! Need more tomato recipes – I have so many for you! Try my classic Stewed Tomatoes and Diced Tomatoes next.

How to Make Cherry Tomato Sauce

Gather your cherry tomatoes. Take the stems off and then wash them.

Put them in a pan, single layer.  I was making a few batches so I had multiple pans.

2 roasting pans filled with cherry tomatoes

Drizzle your olive oil over the tomatoes.  Take a picture and completely miss the olive oil coming out of the bottle. Oops.

olive oil being poured on cherry tomatoes

Sprinkle your onion powder over the tomatoes.  Take a picture and completely miss the onion powder being sprinkled.  Oops.

Note: If you’d like to, you can sub 1/4 cup fresh chopped onion instead of onion powder.

onion powder being sprinkled over cherry tomatoes

Also add a clove of garlic. No need to mince it, the food processor will do the work for you at the end.

Bake for 35 minutes until your tomatoes are all wrinkly and bursting.

pan of cherry tomatoes looking wrinkly and roasted

Let them cool for a few minutes,  then put them in the food processor with your other ingredients.  Give it a few pulses until creamy, it doesn’t take more than that!

cherry tomatoes and basil in food processor

And you are left with some creamy, amazing smelling cherry tomato sauce!

food processor with homemade cherry tomato sauce in it

This makes 3 cups of sauce.  Feel free to use immediately after, put in the fridge for tomorrow, or freeze (in a freezer bag) for a few months later.

freezer bags of cherry tomato sauce in freezer

How to Freeze Tomato Sauce

Once the sauce cools down, add the sauce into freezer bags. I like to separate each bag into 2-3 cups of sauce, knowing that’s how much I’ll need fora recipe. 

Whenever I freeze sauce, puree, diced/stewed tomatoes, I always put in a freezer bag and lay flat while pressing it out, so it’s as thin as possible.  Then once it’s frozen, I stand it up.  This saves space and lets you have a better organized freezer.


To deforst, place in the refrigator the night before.  Alternatively you could defrost it in the microwave in a few minutes. 

plate of pasta with cherry tomato sauce on it

I hope you enjoy this Roasted Creamy Cherry Tomato Sauce – it’s one of my favorite Summer recipes!

 Pin for later:

ROASTED Cherry Tomato Sauce is sweet, creamy and SO EASY to make! This is the best recipe for growing garden tomatoes! You can serve immediately on pasta, can it or freeze it! Find out why thousands of people love this sauce!
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4.76 from 82 reviews

Roasted Cherry Tomato Sauce

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Roasted Cherry Tomato Sauce is sweet, creamy and SO EASY to make! This is the best recipe for growing garden tomatoes! You can serve immediately on pasta, can it or freeze it! Find out why thousands of people love this sauce!
By: Pamela Reed
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes minutes
Total Time 40 minutes minutes
serves 3 cups

Ingredients

  • 4 cups cherry tomatoes stems removed
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/3 cup fresh basil
  • salt + pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
  • Spread tomatoes and clove of garlic in a single layer in a pan. Drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with onion powder.
  • Bake for 35 minutes, your tomatoes should be wrinkly and bursting.
  • Let cool for a few minutes, then put tomatoes in food processor. Add fresh basil and salt + pepper to taste in food processor.
  • Blend to the sauce is smooth and creamy. Enjoy!

Video:

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 75kcal (4%)
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Italian
Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian
Keyword: Cherry Tomato Sauce
Summer
Did you make this?I love seeing what you’ve made! Tag me on Instagram at @BrooklynFarmGirl and don’t forget to leave a comment & rating below.

Similar Recipes

  • 99+ Ways to Cook with Fresh Cherry Tomatoes
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  • The Best Stewed Tomatoes Ever

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4.76 from 82 votes (61 ratings without comment)

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  1. Paula K. says

    July 20, 2015 at 10:53 pm

    I made this yesterday, with about 2 cups of Sungold tomatoes from my garden, and a 16 oz package of mixed cherry tomatoes (red, yellow and orange) from Trader Joe’s. It was very good with spaghetti! I saved 8 oz in a jelly jar in the freezer, and I’m going to try it as pizza sauce next time I make pizza. Next year I just may plant nothing but cherry tomatoes!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      July 21, 2015 at 10:40 am

      Hahaha, I know what you mean Paula. When I first made this sauce I tripled my cherry tomato plants the following year. Glad you enjoyed and using it as a pizza sauce is delicious!

      Reply
  2. Barbara says

    June 29, 2015 at 7:13 pm

    Pamela – Wow! I had a huge basket of cherry tomatoes from my TowerGarden and I just made this recipe. So Easy! So fresh tasting. I’m going to serve it over spiraled zucchini. Thank you for posting!!

    Reply
  3. deb says

    October 13, 2014 at 7:49 pm

    Thank you for a great recipe! I was gifted a 10lb box of cherry tomatoes and I don’t eat tomatoes! I do however, love making homemade spaghetti sauce….well….I am forced to used cans of tomato sauce….I roasted these babies up today, added from the still alive herb garden some basil, oregano, thyme and parsley. Whirled it up and froze all but what was going on the spaghetti noodles for dinner…..oh this was freaking amazing!!!!! I am going on a canned tomato sauce strike! Picky husband scarfed it down….thank you thank you thank you…..have a happy day! 🙂

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      October 13, 2014 at 10:26 pm

      Your comment made me smile Deb, I’m happy you enjoyed the sauce and had a nice spaghetti dinner! Keep on enjoying them!

      Reply
  4. Melissa says

    October 2, 2014 at 5:10 pm

    Just finished making this – so simple and so delicious! I have been struggling to use my cherries before the go bad, and this recipe is perfect. Love that is has a bit of texture, too.

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      October 2, 2014 at 5:12 pm

      So happy you enjoyed it Melissa!

      Reply
  5. Shari says

    September 19, 2014 at 4:24 pm

    I am going to give this a try for sure, sounds really good. I have some yellow cherry tomatoes and have frozen them, can I use from frozen do you think or have you tried?

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 19, 2014 at 4:45 pm

      Hey Shari, I would just defrost them first then continue per recipe. I think the taste will still be great. Enjoy!

      Reply
  6. Ros says

    September 8, 2014 at 10:21 am

    So happy to have found your sauce recipe just in time to use my glut of cherry tomatoes. I used fresh garlic and herbs, tastes great and will be freezing for the winter. Your photos are great!!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 8, 2014 at 10:43 am

      Thanks Ros, I’m glad you’ll be enjoying this sauce through the Winter!

      Reply
  7. Kristin says

    September 4, 2014 at 3:02 pm

    I just discovered your blog about a week ago and great timing. My neighbor and I are working on our first time “community garden” and have tons of cherry and grape tomatoes and basil. I just made this today and cannot wait to serve it up for my fiance with a nice glass of red this evening. Thank you!!!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 4, 2014 at 3:25 pm

      Enjoy Kristin, hope you guys enjoy this tomato sauce!

      Reply
  8. jaime says

    September 1, 2014 at 2:58 pm

    Just put some of the amazing sauce onto freezer bags before I ate it all as is!! Ladies this is a wonderful sauce! I put 2 cloves garlic chopped into the oven with the tomatoes instead of onion powder. Use the juice it’s fabulous….I challenge you to not stand in the kitchen and eat it by the spoonful. Thank you for preparing, photographing and sharing your recipe.

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 1, 2014 at 3:11 pm

      Thanks for the smiles Jaime! Glad I’m not the only one standing in the kitchen with a spoon in hand!

      Reply
  9. jaime says

    August 31, 2014 at 6:50 pm

    Wondered what your thoughts were on using minced fresh garlic instead? What would you recommend? About to put all these little tomatoes to work!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 31, 2014 at 7:29 pm

      Absolutely, fresh garlic would work great too! 🙂

      Reply
  10. Laura says

    August 30, 2014 at 5:03 pm

    This sauce freezes very well and is soooo yummy! After thawing I use about 1/2 the mixture and add fat free half and half and warm slowly…makes a great rose sauce over chicken!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 30, 2014 at 5:22 pm

      Yum, that sounds delicious Laura! Glad you are enjoying the tomato sauce!

      Reply
  11. Hannah says

    August 28, 2014 at 8:58 pm

    Hi! This recipe is just what I need to use up the rest of my cherry tomatoes. Just curious if there’s a way to can this sauce? How long does it last in the freezer.

    Thank you Pamela!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 28, 2014 at 9:11 pm

      Hey Hannah, enjoy this sauce – it’s a favorite! It lasts many months in the freezer – I’ve enjoyed many that have been 8 months old or so.

      Reply
  12. alison says

    August 27, 2014 at 7:09 pm

    I just made this and it was great!!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 27, 2014 at 7:52 pm

      Thanks Alison!

      Reply
  13. Eric says

    August 25, 2014 at 10:50 pm

    We tried your recipe tonight and it came out wonderful. We substituted dried for fresh onions and garlic and included a liberal dose of ease. The sauce was so simple and so delicious. I can’t believe that it’s taken me a lifetime to make my first homemade cherry tomato sauce! Thank you so much for publishing and for the inspiring yummy pics!!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 25, 2014 at 11:45 pm

      Thanks Eric, your sauce sounds delicious! Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  14. Brittni says

    August 21, 2014 at 12:11 pm

    My daughter & I have been enjoying our overflowing cherry tomato plants for the last couple of weeks, but we finally have so many that they were started to go bad before the two of us could eat them fast enough!!! A friend sent me a link to this recipe, and we have our first batch of cherry tomatoes roasting in the oven right now! They smell so good! My daughter (she’s 8) grew her own herbs this summer as well, so she can’t wait to go pick some basil and we’re going to add some oregano too!

    Just one question- our tomatoes seem to have a lot of ‘juice’ on the pan with them. Do you add that to the blender as well? Or just the tomatoes themselves?

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 21, 2014 at 5:46 pm

      Hi Brittni that is so awesome your daughter is growing her own herbs already! What a great gardener in the making! I hope you guys enjoy this tomato sauce together! I add everything in the pan – juices and all – makes it more yummy!

      Reply
  15. Kristen says

    August 17, 2014 at 6:54 pm

    Had a whole bunch of cherry tomatoes from my CSA box and was looking for a good sauce to use them in. Just finished this and I can’t believe how amazing it is, for such few ingredients! WOW! xD

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 17, 2014 at 7:21 pm

      So happy you enjoyed Kristen!

      Reply
  16. Katie says

    August 5, 2014 at 10:51 am

    I made this last night for dinner and it came out perfect. Didn’t roast tomatoes (I roasted it with fresh garlic as well) for as long, as they started to burn. Came out perfect. Will be eating for lunch today as well!!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 5, 2014 at 1:04 pm

      Happy to hear you enjoyed this sauce Katie, sounds like a perfect lunch!

      Reply
  17. Tom Underhill says

    February 10, 2014 at 8:40 pm

    I know its Feb 10th but out here in Long Beach California it’s kinda like summer again (Sorry) and I just got another bumper crop of Cherry Tomatoes and this recipe was just the thing I needed to enjoy them now and freeze some for later.

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      February 10, 2014 at 9:03 pm

      That sounds like quite the treat Tom! Glad to know you’re enjoying this cherry tomato sauce while I’m cold and snowed in, hahaha. Enjoy!

      Reply
  18. Todd says

    February 5, 2014 at 3:29 am

    This worked really well with some heirloom yellow pear tomatoes too. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      February 5, 2014 at 11:00 am

      Glad you enjoyed Todd!

      Reply
  19. The Gluten & Grain Free Gourmet says

    October 23, 2013 at 8:14 am

    Thank you SO much for this! I was so blessed with a huge abundance of cherry tomatoes from just one plant this year. I shared a lot with friends, ate them every day (never got tired of them!), and used them in cooking…but they got ahead of me and overripe. I took all the split cherry tomatoes that I would have otherwise discarded, and followed your directions. Yum! And no waste! Love it!

    ~Jen

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      October 23, 2013 at 8:41 pm

      Thanks for commenting and I hope you enjoy this sauce. It’s one of my favorite ways to make tomato sauce of any kind! Enjoy!

      Reply
  20. Lib says

    October 13, 2013 at 10:35 pm

    You should try growing Matt’s Wild Cherry tomatoes. I bought my first one from some school kids who were fundraising for their school garden projects. They had not done a good job of keeping up with the labels, so it was a “pig in a poke” so to speak. How lucky can one get! I planted one plant 6-7 years ago, and it has volunteered in spades every year since. They are very small, VERY SWEET, and just the essence of tomato flavor. You have to harvest them in clusters almost like a bunch of grapes because the skin is so tender, it will tear when you pull it from the stem. That’s not a problem when you are about to eat them or put in a salad or make sauce. Anyway, I quit growing cherry tomatoes 20 years ago because they were too much TOUGH skin to goody inside ratio. But I’m a convert again, thanks to Matt’s Wild!

    Reply
  21. Leah says

    September 5, 2013 at 6:48 pm

    The smoke point of olive oil is about 405F. Unfortunately, I looked this up when I started to smell smoke and checked on the oven. My tomatoes started smoking while roasting and I’m hoping the whole thing isn’t ruined. If it is, I will try again but go with 375F next time. This recipe is too simple and yummy tasting to pass up!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 6, 2013 at 12:45 am

      Hi Leah, I make this sauce all the time and I never had any problems with the olive oil smoking. The kind of olive oil and the quality of it definitely can change the smoke point as it can range quite a bit. Lowering it down to 375 should work fine. Good luck!

      Reply
  22. Joaquin says

    September 4, 2013 at 6:39 pm

    It is the second time that i made the sauce and it it super awesome to see how everybody loves it!, i’m using fresh organic sun gold tomatoes, it is so gooood!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 6, 2013 at 12:26 am

      So happy to hear how much you like this sauce Joaquin! Thanks for letting me know!

      Reply
  23. Connie says

    August 29, 2013 at 5:35 pm

    I have some cherry tomatoes and a lot more delicious little yellow pear tomatoes. (All volunteer, from my neighbor’s garden which came over my fence!) Do you think the pear toms will do good in this sauce? They made delicious salsa!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 29, 2013 at 11:55 pm

      Hey Connie – sounds like a great harvest! This sauce works well with so many types of tomatoes, I often use plum or beefs, so I think pear tomatoes would work great!

      Reply
  24. Jennie says

    August 27, 2013 at 3:26 pm

    Just made this. Excellent! I didn’t have onion powder so added sliced onion to tomatoes before roasting. Also included a few quartered heirloom tomatoes . Used stick blender instead of food processor. Thanks for recipe- we’re over run with tomatoes this year! I call husband tomato whisperer:)

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 27, 2013 at 8:18 pm

      Thanks so much for letting me know you made it Jennie! Have a great rest of summer tomato harvest! 🙂

      Reply
  25. Sophia @ NY Foodgasm says

    August 5, 2013 at 9:57 am

    I cannot agree MORE! I just made a roasted cherry tomato sauce yesterday for a completely local eggplant parm and it is so sweet and tangy and creamy! I roasted them with basil and oregano from my garden. It feels so good to eat local.

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 5, 2013 at 11:03 am

      Sounds yummy Sophia!

      Reply
  26. Sophie says

    August 5, 2013 at 9:40 am

    MMMMMMM,!!!!A lovely idea to roast the tomatoes for added & better flavour! A great idea to stack the frozen sauces flat like that!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 5, 2013 at 11:02 am

      Definitely saves room in the freezer, and leaves me feeling a little less anxious when I open the freezer door. Thanks for stopping by Sophie!

      Reply
  27. The Ninja Baker says

    August 2, 2013 at 5:06 am

    You’ve got a terrific web site stocked with superb simple goodness recipes. Thank you! My husband is a big tomato fan. (He’s from Southern New Jersey.) He’s going to be a fan of your sauce, too =)

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 2, 2013 at 12:06 pm

      I hope you both enjoy the sauce! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂

      Reply
  28. Reba - Not So Perfect Life says

    July 29, 2013 at 11:20 am

    Yum. so simple. Great tip about putting into freezer bags!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      July 29, 2013 at 4:45 pm

      Thanks Reba!

      Reply
  29. Shashi @ http://runninsrilankan.com says

    July 29, 2013 at 8:02 am

    Thanks so much for sharing this recipe! I cannot wait to try this one!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      July 29, 2013 at 4:44 pm

      Enjoy Shashi!

      Reply
  30. Helene D'souza says

    July 29, 2013 at 7:48 am

    I wish I could grow this kind of tomatoes here, yours look so fresh and I feel like grabbing them out of my display. Thanks for sharing your recipe! =)

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      July 29, 2013 at 4:44 pm

      Thanks Helene! I would share if you were closer! 🙂

      Reply
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