There's nothing quite like a bowl of Creamy Tomato Pasta to bring comfort to your table. This simple yet delicious recipe combines the rich tang of ripe tomatoes with the smooth, velvety texture of cream, creating the ultimate cozy meal for any night of the week. Whether you're cooking for your family or treating yourself to a quiet dinner, this pasta delivers restaurant-quality flavor in under 30 minutes.
This creamy tomato pasta recipe comes together quickly and uses everyday ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. I first made this after Adam requested "the pasta with the red creamy sauce" he'd seen online. Now it's become one of our most-requested weeknight dinners, and even Grandma Viola makes it when she's short on time.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Creamy Tomato Pasta
- Ingredients for Creamy Tomato Pasta
- How to Make Creamy Tomato Pasta
- My Top Tips for This Recipe
- Making Creamy Tomato Pasta with My Family
- Substitutions for Creamy Tomato Pasta
- Variations on Creamy Tomato Pasta
- Equipment for Creamy Tomato Pasta
- Storage Tips for Creamy Tomato Pasta
- Adam's Tip for Creamy Tomato Pasta
- FAQ about Creamy Tomato Pasta
- Conclusion
- Related
- Pairing
- recipe
Why You'll Love This Creamy Tomato Pasta
- Ready in 20 minutes: This is a true weeknight dinner with everyday ingredients that comes together faster than ordering takeout.
- Rich and flavorful: The silky tomato sauce made with blistered cherry tomatoes creates a fresh, rustic cream sauce that's better than any jarred version.
- One-pot wonder: Make this as a one-pot or skillet creamy tomato pasta for minimal cleanup, which means more time relaxing after dinner.
Ingredients for Creamy Tomato Pasta
This simple one-pan creamy pasta dish uses Boursin cheese for the cheesy base, tomatoes, spinach, and pantry staples. The combination of heavy cream to make the sauce luxuriously creamy and freshly grated parmesan cheese creates that rich tomato cream sauce base everyone loves.
What You'll Need
For the Pasta:
- 12 ounces pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pint (2 cups) cherry tomatoes
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
For the Creamy Sauce:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cups fresh spinach (optional)
- Fresh basil for garnish
Why These Ingredients Matter
- Cherry tomatoes: These create blistered cherry tomatoes to make a fresh rustic creamy sauce with natural sweetness that balances perfectly with the cream.
- Heavy cream and Parmesan: Together they create that signature silky tomato sauce texture that coats every piece of pasta beautifully.
- Reserved pasta water: This is key to getting the perfect consistency. The starchy water helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes and binds the sauce to the pasta.
How to Make Creamy Tomato Pasta
Step-by-Step Directions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve pasta water for perfect consistency by saving 1 cup before draining.
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the cherry tomatoes and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they start to blister and burst.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the tomato paste, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning. Cook for 1 minute.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and pour in the heavy cream. Stir well and let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet along with ½ cup of the reserved pasta water.
- Toss everything together, adding the Parmesan cheese gradually until the sauce becomes creamy and coats the pasta.
- If using spinach, add it now and stir until wilted, about 1 minute.
- If the sauce is too thick, add more reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
- Garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan before serving.
Hint: For creamy tomato pasta with cream cheese, substitute 4 ounces of softened cream cheese for half of the heavy cream. This creates an even richer sauce with a tangy note.
My Top Tips for This Recipe
Don't skip reserving the pasta water. That starchy liquid is what transforms this from a good pasta to a great one. It helps the sauce cling to the pasta and brings everything together into a cohesive dish. Add it gradually, though, because you can always add more but you can't take it away. This technique is similar to what we use in our garlic parmesan chicken and potatoes, where proper moisture control makes all the difference.
Making Creamy Tomato Pasta with My Family
Last Wednesday, Adam watched me make this pasta and asked, "Why are you saving that cloudy water?" I explained that the pasta water has starch that helps make the sauce creamy. He looked skeptical but curious. When I added it to the sauce and he saw how it transformed the texture, he said, "Oh! Science pasta!"
When we sat down for dinner, Adam twirled a big forkful and declared, "This is way better than the stuff from a jar." Grandma Viola, who was visiting, agreed. "This Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta is also more flavorful and delicious than I expected," she said. "And it only took you 20 minutes. I need to make this at home."
Substitutions for Creamy Tomato Pasta
- Cream alternatives: Try creamy tomato pasta sauce with milk by using whole milk mixed with a tablespoon of flour, though it won't be quite as rich. For creamy tomato pasta sauce without cream, use cashew cream or blended silken tofu.
- Cheese options: Make creamy tomato pasta with cream cheese or try ricotta cheese for a lighter, fluffier texture that's still indulgent.
- Protein additions: Add cooked chicken for creamy tomato pasta chicken or grilled shrimp for a seafood twist.
- Vegetables: Swap spinach for kale, arugula, or add mushrooms for extra earthiness.
Variations on Creamy Tomato Pasta
- Sun-dried tomato version: Make creamy sundried tomato pasta by adding ½ cup of chopped sun-dried tomatoes for a more intense, concentrated flavor. Check out this creamy sun-dried tomato pasta recipe for inspiration.
- Baked version: Turn this into a creamy tomato pasta bake by transferring to a baking dish, topping with mozzarella, and baking at 375°F for 20 minutes.
- Protein-packed: Make creamy tomato chicken pasta or creamy sundried tomato chicken pasta by adding 2 cups of cooked, diced chicken breast.
Equipment for Creamy Tomato Pasta
- Large pot: For boiling the pasta with plenty of room so it doesn't stick together.
- Large skillet: A 12-inch skillet works perfectly for this one-pot or skillet creamy tomato pasta method.
- Wooden spoon: Best for stirring and gently crushing the tomatoes as they cook.
- Measuring cup: Essential for saving that precious pasta water before draining.
Storage Tips for Creamy Tomato Pasta
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The sauce may thicken, so add a splash of milk or cream when reheating.
- Freezer: This doesn't freeze particularly well due to the cream, but if needed, freeze for up to 1 month. The texture may separate slightly when thawed.
- Reheating: Warm gently on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of milk or pasta water to restore the creamy consistency. Avoid high heat which can cause the sauce to separate.
This is one of those easy pasta dinner recipes that's perfect for healthy dinner recipes easy quick simple dinners planning. Make it on Sunday and you'll have lunches ready for the week. It pairs beautifully with our brown sugar pineapple chicken when you want to add protein on the side.
Adam's Tip for Creamy Tomato Pasta
"If you want it extra cheesy, add more Parmesan at the end. Like, a lot more. And make sure you get some of those burst tomatoes in every bite because those are the best parts."
FAQ about Creamy Tomato Pasta
How to make tomato pasta creamy?
How to make tomato pasta creamy is simple: add heavy cream, cream cheese, or a combination of butter and pasta water to your tomato sauce. The key is using heavy cream to make the sauce luxuriously creamy and adding freshly grated parmesan cheese which melts into the sauce. Reserve pasta water for perfect consistency because the starch helps emulsify the sauce and makes it cling to the pasta better.
What is creamy tomato pasta sauce called?
Creamy tomato pasta sauce is often called "rosa sauce" or "pink sauce" in Italian cooking. The creamy tomato pasta name varies by region, but it's also known as tomato cream sauce or sometimes vodka sauce (when vodka is added). In some restaurants, it's simply called tomato pasta sauce with cream. The Italian term "sugo rosa" literally means pink sauce, referring to the color created by mixing red tomato sauce with white cream.
What to add to a tomato sauce to make it creamy?
What to add to a tomato sauce to make it creamy includes several options: heavy cream is the classic choice, but you can also use half-and-half, creamy tomato pasta sauce with milk, cream cheese, mascarpone, or even ricotta. For creamy tomato pasta sauce without cream, try blended cashews, coconut cream, or Greek yogurt. Each adds different levels of richness and tang. Adding freshly grated parmesan cheese also contributes to creaminess while boosting flavor.
What are the three ingredients in creamy pasta?
The three ingredients in creamy pasta at its most basic are pasta, cream (or cream substitute), and cheese (usually Parmesan). For this creamy tomato pasta recipe, we add tomatoes as the fourth essential ingredient to create that rich tomato cream sauce base. The magic happens when you balance the acidity of the tomatoes with the richness of the cream and the salty, umami notes from the Parmesan cheese.
Conclusion
Creamy, satisfying, and full of flavor, this Creamy Tomato Pasta is proof that comfort food doesn't have to be complicated. The silky tomato sauce made with blistered cherry tomatoes delivers restaurant-quality results in under 30 minutes. Whether you make it as creamy tomato basil pasta, creamy tomato and spinach pasta, or easy creamy tomato pasta, it's always a winner.
Pair it with garlic bread or a side salad, and you've got a heartwarming meal that feels like a hug in a bowl. Don't forget to bookmark this recipe, it's bound to become a weeknight favorite! If you're looking for more cooking dinner ideas and pasta dinner recipes, try our crispy beef and cheese chimichangas or big mac wraps for variety. Let me know how your tomato pasta recipe turns out! Enjoy.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Creamy Tomato Pasta:
recipe
Creamy Tomato Pasta (20-Minute Family Favorite)
Equipment
- 1 Large pot For boiling pasta; add a little salt for flavor.
- 1 Large Skillet Perfect for blending sauce and pasta together.
- 1 Wooden spoon My favorite tool for stirring without scratching the pan.
- 1 Measuring cup Essential for reserving pasta water.
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta(penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine) Choose your favorite shape, Olivia loves rigatoni!
- 2 tablespoons olive oil Adds richness and prevents sticking.
- 3 cloves garlic, minced The heart of the sauce aroma.
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes Fresh and juicy, they burst beautifully.
- 0.5 teaspoon salt To balance flavors.
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper Adds subtle warmth.
- 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes Optional for a gentle kick.
For the Creamy Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream For that luxuriously creamy texture.
- 0.5 cup reserved pasta water Helps the sauce cling perfectly.
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated Adds depth and saltiness.
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste For a concentrated tomato flavor.
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning A cozy, aromatic blend.
- 2 cups fresh spinach Optional, but I always sneak in the greens.
- 1 handful fresh basil leaves For garnish and a burst of freshness.
Instructions
- In a large [skillet], heat [olive oil] over medium heat. Add the [cherry tomatoes] and cook until they start to blister and release their juices. Stir in the [garlic] and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add [tomato paste], [salt], [pepper], [red pepper flakes], and [Italian seasoning]. Stir to combine, then reduce the heat and pour in the [heavy cream]. Let it simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- If using, stir in [fresh spinach] until it wilts. Garnish with [fresh basil] and an extra sprinkle of [Parmesan] before serving.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.
- Want extra flavor? Add a handful of sun-dried tomatoes or grilled chicken.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Add a splash of milk when reheating to revive that creamy texture.
- For a fun twist, try turning this into a baked pasta: top with mozzarella and bake at 375°F for 15 minutes.
- Most importantly, invite your little helper into the kitchen, because memories are the secret ingredient. ❤️
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