This roasted cherry tomato pasta combines your favorite pasta and a delicious homemade cherry tomato pasta sauce – a healthy, simple, and delicious mid-week meal that can be made from scratch in 30 minutes! Plus, this recipe is sugar-free, dairy-free, and naturally vegan!

I just posted this recipe for a simple cherry tomato sauce, so this roasted cherry tomato pasta was a clear next recipe to share. Combining your favorite pasta (homemade pasta or store-bought) with this tomato pasta sauce leads to a healthy, flavor-packed dish that is so versatile. 

Whether you want a creamy tomato pasta, basil tomato pasta, spinach tomato pasta, etc., this recipe is the perfect base for you. In fact, I’ll be including several ways to adapt this simple recipe below. 

Plus, this entire dish can be made from scratch in under 30 minutes and will have you ditching the jarred pasta sauces forevermore!

The ingredients

• Pasta: use your choice of pasta based on your dietary requirements and what you’re in the mood for. For homemade options, you may like GF Oat pasta, Vegan Pasta, Homemade Rainbow Pasta, Pappardelle Floral Pasta, or Spinach Green Pasta.
• Roasted tomato sauce: I used this homemade roasted cherry tomato sauce (though you can use your choice of tomatoes). If making this dish from scratch, you can prepare the pasta with sauce in under 30 minutes!
• Optional garnishes: fresh basil leaves, cheese (like mozzarella or vegan mozzarella), garlic confit, tomato confit – or additional roasted cherry tomatoes

Ways to adapt this tomato pasta recipe

If you check out the recipe post for the tomato pasta sauce, there I’ve included tons of ways to adjust the sauce to your liking. Without completely repeating myself, here are a few quick and simple ways to adapt this easy tomato sauce pasta dish to your and your family’s preferences. 

• Basil tomato pasta: this one is simple – add some shredded basil leaves to the pasta sauce while heating it on the stovetop. Then top the pasta with more fresh basil.
• Spicy tomato pasta: there are several ways to adjust the spiciness of this tomato pasta dish easily. Add some red pepper flakes to the sauce while heating it. You can also add homemade chili sauce (or chili paste) – increase the amount based on how spicy you like it. You could also drizzle the finished pasta dish with a little chili oil. 
• Creamy tomato pasta: while heating the sauce on the stovetop, add some cream or mascarpone to the sauce and mix well. The amount you use is based on personal taste. 

• Vegan creamy tomato pasta: similarly to above, add canned coconut milk or another cream alternative like oat cream or cashew cream. You can also add dairy-free cream cheese. 
• Cheesy tomato pasta: we all love the combination of tomato and cheese. With this pasta, you can add some cream cheese or a grated hard cheese like parmesan directly into the sauce while heating. Alternatively, grate your favorite cheese over the pasta when serving; mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan, etc. Use dairy-free if preferred.
• Spinach tomato pasta: you can either add the raw spinach directly to the pasta sauce while heating. Alternatively, wilt the spinach in the pan first, then add in the pasta sauce. I like to do the latter to pack in as much spinach as possible and squeeze out some of the juices before adding the tomato pasta sauce. 

• Triple Tomato pasta: combine the prepared pasta sauce with extra tomato puree while heating on the stove-top for the depth of flavor. Then serve with extra roasted tomatoes or tomato confit – delicious!
• Sauteed vegetable pasta with tomato sauce: Saute the vegetables in the pan with a little olive oil or butter for a few minutes before adding the sauce to heat up. Some of my favorite options include; mushrooms, zucchini, eggplant, peppers, more cherry tomatoes, onion, corn, mangetout, kale, beans (white, cooked red kidney beans, cooked chickpeas), etc. Bonus tip: before adding the tomato sauce, add a generous slug of red wine/white wine to deglaze the pan, then add the sauce to heat up. 
• Healthy vegan spaghetti bolognese: use the method for my chili con carne to par-cook soy mince. Then add the sauce and allow it to simmer for 10 minutes or so. 

The step-by-step instructions

I’m not sure I could make this process much simpler if I tried. 

1. First, make the tomato pasta sauce – this can be made fresh or in advance and stored in the fridge/freezer.
2. Add the sauce to a saucepan to heat up (and optionally reduce slightly). 
   Depending on if you want to adapt the recipe in any way, you may want to saute some veg first or add extra ingredients to the sauce at this point while it simmers.
3. Meanwhile, boil your pasta of choice in a pan of liberally salted water (or vegetable stock).
4. Drain the pasta leaving some of the starchy water behind, just enough to coat the pasta. It will help the sauce to adhere. The rest of the pasta water can be saved (read notes below).
5. Mix the cooked pasta into the heated tomato pasta sauce and then serve, garnished with your toppings of choice!

How to store

Any prepared cherry tomato pasta can be allowed to cool slightly then stored in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or stovetop – you may need a splash of water or vegetable stock to bring it back to the same creamy consistency. 

You can also freeze the mixed tomato pasta dish for up to 2 months. Allow it to thaw in the refrigerator before reheating it. 

Top tips for the best roasted tomato pasta

• Don’t drain all pasta water: save some with the pasta to help the pasta sauce adhere to the pasta. The leftover pasta water can be frozen into ice-cube trays and added to stocks and soups. DON’T use it for watering plants if it has salt in it!
• Use vegetable stock instead of water to cook the pasta for even more flavor!

Related recipes you might enjoy

• How To Make Tomato Confit (Slow-Roasted Tomatoes)
• Heirloom Burrata Caprese Salad (Burrata Salad)
• How to Make “Sun-Dried” Tomatoes (In Oven or Dehydrator)
• Easy Homemade Creamy Tomato Soup
• How to Make Tomato Purée/ Paste
• Simple Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
• Super Creamy Vegan Mushroom Sauce Pasta
• Easy Vegan Bechamel Pasta Bake
• Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables (Meal-Prep Friendly)

If you try this roasted cherry tomato pasta recipe, then let me know your thoughts and questions in the comments. I’d also really appreciate a recipe rating and would love to see your recreations – just tag @AlphaFoodie.