The Creamiest Tomato Pasta Recipe You’ll Ever Make

Creamy tomato pasta represents the ultimate comfort food for pasta enthusiasts seeking rich, satisfying flavors.

Italian culinary traditions inspire this classic dish that upgrades simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Bright red tomatoes blend seamlessly with smooth, velvety cream, creating a luxurious sauce that clings perfectly to each pasta strand.

Robust seasonings elevate the recipe, introducing layers of complexity and depth that tantalize your taste buds.

Home cooks appreciate how quickly this meal comes together, making it ideal for busy weeknight dinners.

Restaurant-quality results emerge from just a few carefully selected ingredients, proving gourmet cooking can be wonderfully accessible.

The magic happens when heat upgrades basic components into a harmonious, mouthwatering experience that feels simultaneously elegant and rustic.

Chef’s Secrets for Creamy Tomato Pasta

• Boost Pasta Flavor: Add a splash of white wine or vodka to the sauce for deeper, more complex taste.
• Achieve Silky Texture: Use room temperature cream to prevent sauce from breaking and ensure smooth consistency.
• Control Sauce Thickness: Reserve some pasta water before draining to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
• Enhance Richness: Grate fresh parmesan directly over the dish for maximum flavor and aromatic depth.
• Quick Meal Hack: Prep ingredients beforehand to reduce cooking time and streamline the entire process.

Storing and Reheating Creamy Tomato Pasta

• Refrigeration: Store leftover pasta in an airtight container and refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking. The creamy tomato sauce keeps well for 3-4 days in the fridge.
• Reheating: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of milk or cream to restore the sauce's smooth consistency. Stir frequently to prevent burning and ensure even heating.
• Freezing: Transfer cooled pasta to a freezer-safe container, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Wine Pairings for Creamy Tomato Pasta

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Enhance the creamy tomato pasta with a chilled Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc, whose bright acidity cuts through the richness of the sauce and complements the tangy tomato flavors.
• Serve with Fresh Herb Salad: Create a light side salad with mixed greens, basil, and arugula dressed in a light vinaigrette to provide a refreshing contrast to the creamy, warm pasta.
• Add Garlic Bread Companion: Prepare crusty garlic bread to soak up the delicious sauce, adding texture and an extra layer of garlicky goodness that perfectly matches the pasta's flavor profile.
• Complement with Grilled Chicken: Top the pasta with sliced grilled chicken breast to add lean protein and create a more substantial meal that balances the creamy sauce with a subtle smoky element.

Variations on Creamy Tomato Pasta

• Spicy Arrabbiata Style: Add red pepper flakes and extra garlic to create a fiery version that brings heat to the creamy tomato sauce, giving the pasta a bold kick.
• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Incorporate fresh basil, oregano, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes to elevate the flavor profile with authentic Mediterranean ingredients.
• Protein-Packed Edition: Mix in cooked shredded chicken or crispy pancetta to transform the pasta into a more substantial main course with added protein and texture.
• Vegetable Boost Blend: Stir in roasted zucchini, spinach, or bell peppers to increase nutritional value and create a more colorful, wholesome dish that packs extra vegetables into the meal.

Creamy Tomato Pasta with Parmesan and Basil

• Quick Creamy Comfort: This pasta delivers a luxurious, velvety sauce that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal in just 25 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights when you crave something indulgent yet easy to prepare.
• Flavor-Packed Simplicity: The combination of tomato paste, sauce, and cream creates a rich, balanced taste profile with a hint of Italian seasoning, making every bite deeply satisfying without requiring complex cooking techniques.
• Customizable Family Favorite: Easily adaptable for picky eaters, this dish allows for simple modifications like adding protein, adjusting spice levels, or topping with extra cheese, ensuring everyone at the table enjoys their meal.
• Minimal Effort, Maximum Taste: With just a few pantry staples and straightforward cooking steps, even novice cooks can whip up a delicious pasta that looks and tastes like it came from a gourmet kitchen.

Ingredients for Creamy Tomato Pasta

• Pasta: Classic pasta shape that holds the creamy sauce beautifully, with plenty of surface area for maximum flavor absorption.
• Butter: Rich, smooth base for building depth of flavor and creating silky sauce texture.

• Garlic: Aromatic flavor booster that adds intense, sharp taste to the creamy tomato base.
• Tomato Paste, Tomato Sauce: Concentrated tomato components that provide rich, deep red color and tangy tomato foundation for the sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Luxurious dairy ingredient that creates smooth, velvety sauce consistency and balances tomato's acidity.

• Italian Seasoning: Herb blend that introduces classic Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing and balancing overall dish taste.
• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, salty cheese that adds complex flavor and creamy garnish when freshly grated on top.

How to Cook Creamy Tomato Pasta

Step 1: Boil Pasta to Perfection

Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a rolling boil and cook pasta until it reaches al dente texture, following package guidelines. Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Awaken the Garlic

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Melt butter until it becomes golden and fragrant. Add minced garlic and sauté for 60 seconds, releasing its aromatic essence.

Step 3: Build the Creamy Tomato Sauce

• Tomato Paste
• Tomato Sauce
• Heavy Cream
• Italian Seasoning

Stir thoroughly and let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and sauce to thicken.

Step 4: Season and Balance

Sprinkle salt and black pepper to taste. If the sauce seems too tangy, add a pinch of sugar to round out the flavors.

Step 5: Marry Pasta and Sauce

Gently fold the cooked pasta into the creamy tomato sauce, ensuring each strand is lovingly coated.

Step 6: Serve with Flair

Transfer to serving plates and shower with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 447 kcal

Servings: 4

Creamy Tomato Pasta Recipe

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• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy tomato pasta brings Italian comfort to your kitchen with minimal ingredients and maximum flavor. Parmesan, garlic, and fresh basil meld into a silky sauce that elevates simple pasta into a restaurant-worthy meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) uncooked pasta
• 1 (14 ounces/397 grams) can tomato sauce
• ¾ cup (177 milliliters) heavy cream

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) tomato paste
• ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

Finishing Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons (28 grams) butter
• Freshly grated parmesan cheese, for serving

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Instructions

1. Fill a large pot with generously salted water and bring to a rolling boil, preparing to cook the pasta until it reaches a perfect al dente texture.
2. Heat a spacious skillet over medium-high flame, allowing butter to melt and become golden before introducing minced garlic, creating a fragrant base.
3. Introduce tomato paste and tomato sauce to the skillet, stirring vigorously to combine with the garlic-butter mixture, creating a rich foundation for the sauce.
4. Pour in heavy cream and sprinkle Italian seasoning, allowing the ingredients to meld together while gently simmering for approximately 5 minutes until the sauce develops a luxurious, thickened consistency.
5. Taste the sauce carefully, adjusting seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper. If the sauce seems slightly sharp, incorporate a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity.
6. Drain the perfectly cooked pasta, reserving a small amount of pasta water if needed to adjust sauce consistency.
7. Gently fold the pasta into the creamy tomato sauce, ensuring each strand is generously coated with the velvety mixture.
8. Transfer to serving plates and crown with a generous dusting of freshly grated parmesan cheese, creating a final touch of indulgence.

Notes

• Balancing sweetness helps neutralize tomato sauce’s natural tartness, creating a more harmonious flavor profile.
• Cooking tomato sauce slowly allows ingredients to meld together, developing deeper, richer taste sensations.
• Fresh parmesan cheese adds a salty, nutty finish that elevates the entire pasta dish’s complexity.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 57 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg