Fresh tomato sauce
A simple, rustic cherry tomato sauce simmered with garlic and fresh basil. Bursting with sweetness and rich flavour, this quick sauce is perfect for pasta, pizzas, or spooning over grilled meats and vegetables.
Updated : 01 December, 2025
Easy
About 20 min.
Ingredients
4 tablespoon
Olive oil
4
Garlic
800 grams
Cherry tomatoes
handful
Basil
0.5 teaspoon
Sugar
to taste
Salt
to taste
Ground black pepper
Table
Table of volume measurements:
- teaspoon - 5 ml
- dessert spoon - 10 ml
- tablespoon - 20 ml
- glass - 200 ml
Preparation
Step 1
Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over low heat.
Step 2
Add the garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 2 minutes, until softened and fragrant but not browned.
Step 3
Add the cherry tomatoes, season generously with salt and pepper, and stir to coat them in the garlicky oil. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to burst.
Step 4
Using the back of a wooden spoon, crush about half of the tomatoes, then continue to cook for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture becomes a chunky, rustic sauce.
Step 5
Tear in the fresh basil, add the sugar (if using), and stir to combine. Remove the pan from the heat.
Step 6
Taste and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Author note
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