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    Home » Recipes » Summer

    Creamy Mascarpone Tomato Sauce

    June 30, 2022 by Kristen Espino Leave a Comment

    135 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This simple mascarpone tomato sauce is made with summer-ripe cherry tomatoes, caramelized garlic and creamy mascarpone cheese. Finished with grated parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves, this pasta is the epitome of summer.

    Creamy mascarpone tomato sauce with fresh basil and parmesan cheese.

    If you're looking for a quick and easy mid-week dinner recipe, then this mascarpone tomato sauce is right up your alley. This sauce is made with juicy, ripe cherry tomatoes that are cooked with lots of fresh garlic, red pepper flakes and the secret ingredient, mascarpone cheese.

    The acid from the tomatoes and the richness from the mascarpone cheese are a match made in heaven. This sauce is perfectly balanced and only takes 15 minutes to make.

    If you are a fan of pasta, make sure to try my Smoked Macaroni and Cheese. Also, serve this Starbuck's Mango Dragon Fruit Lemonade with dinner, it's the perfect refreshment for this dish.

    Jump to:
    • Why You Will Love This Recipe
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Step By Step Instructions
    • Expert Tips
    • FAQ
    • Storing and Freezing
    • 📖 Recipe

    Why You Will Love This Recipe

    • Quick and simple- This fresh tomato sauce is ready to go in 15 minutes and clean up is a breeze.
    • Great for gatherings- This dish is such a crowd pleaser and you won't have to slave away in the kitchen all day preparing it.
    • Kid friendly- This recipe is a great way to introduce new flavors to your kiddos. My son loved the sweet tomatoes and couldn't get enough of the creamy sauce.
    • Budget friendly- This recipe proves fresh, good quality ingredients do not have to cost a lot of money. Most of these ingredients are staples in your kitchen and are easy to find inside your local grocery store.
    Mascarpone tomato sauce with fresh basil.

    Ingredient Notes

    Here are some notes on the ingredients. For a full list of ingredients, scroll down to the recipe card.

    • Cherry tomatoes- Feel free to use any color or size for this tomatoe sauce. Pick tomatoes that have a firm skin and bright vibrant color.
    • Garlic- Skip the jarred garlic and use fresh garlic cloves for the best flavor.
    • Crushed red pepper flakes- This is completely optional and you can increase the amount if you want your sauce to have a little extra heat.
    • Oregano- I use dried but if you have fresh oregano on hand, you can use it as well. Fresh herbs are more pungent, so add to your taste.
    • Mascarpone cheese- Similar to cream cheese, this Italian cheese can be found in the specialty cheese department.
    • Fresh basil- You can find fresh basil all year round. Its usually sold in a bunch or packed inside a clamshell in the produce section.
    Spaghetti with cherry tomatoes, garlic, basil and mascarpone cheese.

    Step By Step Instructions

    Here is how to make this easy and delicious fresh tomato sauce.

    STEP 1: Caramelize garlic. Heat oil inside a large nonstick skillet on medium heat. Add garlic, followed by red pepper flakes (optional). Stir the garlic so that it does not burn. Cook for 1 minute.

    STEP 2: Cook tomatoes. Add whole cherry tomatoes and season with dried oregano and salt. Stir the tomatoes so they are coated in the oil. Continue to cook until the tomatoes begin to soften and burst, about 6-8 minutes.

    Sautéed garlic and crushed red pepper flakes.
    Cherry tomatoes, garlic, red pepper flakes and dried oregano.

    STEP 3: Smash tomatoes. Using the back of a fork or a wooden spoon, smash the tomatoes to bring out some of the natural juices.

    STEP 4: Cook pasta. Bring water to a boil and cook pasta according to the package instructions. Drain pasta, while reserving 1 cup of pasta water to add to the sauce.

    Cooked cherry tomatoes with garlic, oregano and red pepper flakes.
    Smashed cherry tomatoes with melted mascarpone cheese.

    STEP 5: Add mascarpone cheese. Scoop mascarpone cheese into tomato mixture. Stir until melted and incorporated into the sauce. Add reserved pasta water and mix together.

    STEP 6: Add basil. Take fresh basil leaves and toss them into the sauce.

    Mascarpone tomato sauce cooked with fresh basil.
    Cooked spaghetti tossed with cherry tomato sauce and mascarpone cheese.  Topped with fresh basil and parmesan cheese.

    STEP 7: Toss in pasta. Add cooked pasta into the sauce and stir until combined. Cook for an additional minute to allow all the flavors to mend together. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and add additional basil if desired.

    Expert Tips

    Use fresh tomatoes rather than canned. There's something so satisfying when the tomatoes pop and release all their natural juices.

    Use fresh garlic and skip the jarred stuff. Garlic that comes in a jar has citric acid added to it and can change the flavor. Stick with the fresh stuff in this recipe. It makes a big difference in taste.

    This is a very rustic tomato sauce. So make sure not to over cook them so they maintain their shape and texture.

    Keep an eye on the garlic once you add it to the oil. It can go from being caramelized to being burnt in a matter of seconds. As soon as you smell the garlic, add the tomatoes.

    Cherry tomatoes cooked with garlic, mascarpone, basil and tossed with fresh basil and spaghetti noodles.

    FAQ

    Can I use cream cheese instead of mascarpone?

    Yes, however the taste will be slightly different. Mascarpone has a wonderful velvety, melt in your mouth texture. It's also more mild than cream cheese and does not have the same tangy flavor.

    What other ways can I use this sauce?

    While this sauce is great on pasta, feel free to spoon it on top of meatballs or grilled chicken. Serve it along side some fresh burrata and grilled bread or spoon it on top of your pizza for a delicious twist.

    Can I use sliced tomatoes instead of cherry tomatoes?

    Yes, but make sure to remove the core and slice them into a medium dice so they cook more quickly. I highly recommend using cherry tomatoes for a sweeter flavor and better overall presentation.

    Spaghetti noodles with cooked cherry tomatoes, mascarpone, garlic, red pepper flakes and fresh basil.

    Storing and Freezing

    Refrigerate any leftover mascarpone tomato sauce inside an airtight container for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet on the stovetop.

    Freezing

    If you have a lot of cherry tomatoes, I recommend making a double batch so that you have some to freeze and enjoy later. Place cooled sauce in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.

    To thaw, place inside the refrigerator overnight.

    Other Summer Recipes To Try

    • Brown Butter Caramelized Peaches
    • Easy Summer Charcuterie Board
    • Cherry Popsicles with Greek Yogurt
    • Strawberry and White Chocolate Cheesecake

    Make sure to leave a STAR REVIEW if you loved this recipe. Make sure to tag me on Instagram @theepicureanmouse. To get more family-fun recipes, follow me on Pinterest.

    📖 Recipe

    Creamy Mascarpone Tomato Sauce

    Kristen Espino
    This simple mascarpone tomato sauce is made with summer-ripe cherry tomatoes, caramelized garlic and creamy mascarpone cheese. Finished with grated parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves, this pasta is the epitome of summer. 
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 8 mins
    Total Time 13 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 113 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    Mascarpone Tomato Sauce

    • ¼ cup Olive oil
    • 8 cloves Garlic
    • 4 cups Cherry tomatoes
    • ¼ tsp Red pepper flakes
    • ¼ tsp Dried oregano
    • ¼ cup Mascarpone cheese
    • ½ cup Vegetable stock or reserved pasta water (if serving with pasta)
    • ¼ Fresh basil leaves roughly chopped or left whole
    • Salt to taste

    For Serving

    • pasta, zucchini noodles, grilled bread, meatballs, grilled chicken

    Optional Garnish

    • Additional mascarpone cheese, extra basil, drizzle of olive oil, red pepper flakes

    Instructions
     

    Mascarpone Tomato Sauce

    • Heat oil inside a large skillet on medium heat. Add chopped garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for one 1 minute, or until the garlic is fragrant.
    • Add cherry tomatoes, dried oregano and season with salt. Cook tomatoes for 6-8 minutes until they begin to soften and burst.
    • Use the back of a fork or wooden spoon to smash the tomatoes slightly to extract some of their natural juices into the sauce.
    • Spoon in mascarpone cheese and stir until melted and completely combined. Add vegetable stock or reserved pasta water if serving with pasta. Toss in fresh basil leaves.
    • Serve this mascarpone tomato sauce with your favorite pasta, meatballs or grilled bread.
    • Garnish with freshly grated parmesan cheese, extra mascarpone cheese, extra basil leaves and a drizzle of good quality olive oil on top.

    Notes

    *If you plan to serve this sauce with pasta, I recommend cooking off 8oz of dried pasta to serve 4.  

    Nutrition

    Calories: 113kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 3gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 276mgPotassium: 357mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1062IUVitamin C: 36mgCalcium: 54mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword cherry tomatoes, tomato sauce, mascarpone cheese, fresh, simple, quick
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Hi I'm Kristen!

    The creator and recipe maker for The Epicurean Mouse. I'm a professional Pastry Chef turned stay at home mom who loves to create delicious family-friendly recipes for you to make at home.

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