Quick Pasta Sauce with Garden Tomatoes; Try with Shrimp!
A simple quick sauce for pasta (sometimes with shrimp!) is something I like to whip up for dinner especially when I get a surplus of garden cherry tomatoes in the heat of summer. Adding in raw shrimp at the end, elevates this dish from simple to sophisticated in no time!
This recipe also works well with larger tomatoes cut into chunks. If you have homemade pesto on hand, simply swap it out for the garlic and fresh basil, making this main course even simpler to make. I find my kale or spinach garlic scape pesto works exceptional well, but a traditional basil pesto (see my recipe) would complement the flavors also.
When your tomato plants are bearing fruit faster than you can keep up with eating them fresh, you need to try this sauce. My favorite tomatoes are Sweet 100 and Sungold cherry tomatoes (learn about my garden) which have been prolific producers for me over the years. I love having a contrast of colors and I especially enjoy yellow tomatoes.
Honestly, though, this sauce comes out terrific with any tomatoes, even store-bought ones in the winter. However, if making this sauce with supermarket tomatoes off season, I’d definitely go with cherry, as I find them to be fresher and sweeter. My favorite is the Nature Sweet brand.
Quick Summer Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce; Try with Shrimp!
Ingredients
Fresh Tomato Sauce Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 2 large garlic cloves
- 5 to 6 cups cherry tomatoes (2½ to 3 pints)
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup EVOO
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
- 1 tsp fresh ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp salt (optional)
- 1/2 cup torn fresh basil
If Adding in Shrimp
- 1 pound 16/20 raw shrimp (peeled, deveined and remove tails)
Instructions
- Put a large pot of salted water on to boil for the pasta.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, coat the bottom of the pan with EVOO on medium/medium high heat.
- Thinly slice the garlic cloves and add to pan as the oil heats up.
- Cook the garlic for a few minutes until the oil starts to gently sizzle.
- Toss in the tomatoes and allow to cook in the sizzling oil for 1 minute, then reduce heat to low. Cover.
- Once the sizzling stops, remove the cover and cook on a simmer for about 4 minutes. You may need to slightly increase heat to bring to a simmer.
- With a spoon, gently press some of tomatoes to help release their juices. Keep some whole.
- Toss in hand-torn fresh basil, black pepper and salt if using. Stir.
- If adding in shrimp: Layer the raw shrimp over the simmering sauce. Cook covered for about three minutes. The shrimp will start turning pink on the bottom. Using tongs or a spoon, turn the shrimp and gently allow them to cook through. The shrimp is done once they turn curl into circles.
- Remove from the heat and cover until the pasta is cooked.
- Cook the pasta al dente and drain.
- Add the cooked spaghetti into the sauce. Top with grated cheese and the red pepper flakes and stir, making sure to spoon tomatoes over the top of the pasta.
- For serving, top with more basil and grated cheese.
Notes
Pin to Save for Later
Looks so good! Love a good fresh sauce!
Looks delicious! I love that you grow your own tomatoes.
This recipe looks delicious, will be trying it this week!
That looks so good. I have some Palmini pasta and it’s great if you wanna watch the carbs. Thanks for the dinner idea. 💡
Nothing beats homegrown tomatoes incorporated into a delicious pasta meal. Love how simple your recipe is. It really looks hearty and delicious.
Looks delicious and simple to make! Can’t go wrong with pasta, delicious tomatoes, and shrimp.
I love Italian food, and this looks delicious!
What a great recipe to use up veggies from the garden!
This sounds delicious! I will have to try it since I have so many fresh tomatoes in my garden! Thanks for sharing.
Delicious recipe! We have a similar recipe here in Sicily and it’s always delicious. You can not go wrong with shrimps, tomatoes and pasta!
I tried this recipe today, it was easy to make and my family loved it. Thank’s so much for this!
This looks so yummy! Thanks for the recipe. I love shrimp in almost anything.
Sounds like a lovely recipe and easy to make. I would make with baked chicken (my husband is allergic to shellfish) and gluten-free and dairy-free options too. 😊
Pastor Natalie (ExamineThisMoment)
Letstakeamoment.com
This looks great.
OMG, this looks sooo delicious! I’ll definitely try this out since I have some tomatoes around right now. 🙂
Looks like a delicious treat.
Love fresh sauce!! Sounds like a great recipe 🙂
This looks super delicious! I can’t wait to try it out. Thanks for sharing this fantastic recipe!
I can’t wait to try this! My second harvest of tomatoes should be in later this month. I’ll let you know how it goes. 🙂
OMG this looks delicious!
Oh my LORD, this looks so tasty! Definitely giving this recipe a try.
OH wow, I’m drooling over here! LOL. I love pasta and am always looking for creative ways to serve it. Thanks for posting!
Two of my favourite elements are in this recipe: Shrimp and that it’s quick! Will definitely try this.
This recipe looks quick, easy and delicious. I am going to try it for sure. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
This looks yummy; it doesn’t seem so complicated. I love to try new recipes like this. Thank you for sharing!
Pasta with tomato sauce, one of the best meals ever!
This looks awesome! I’m sending it to my son to make for me! He works at a restaurant and is a budding chef.
Yum! Nothing beats homemade tomato sauce!
It looks so good. I’ll save to make a vegan version! Thanks for sharing.
Delicious idea! I have a recipe I make of uncooked summer tomato sauce that is similar. Now you have me wanting to make some! It’s also nice as a side with grilled chicken or shrimp.