This Creamy Tomato Pasta is cozy, comforting, and ready in just 20 minutes using staple ingredients that are easy to find! Who says weeknight dinners have to be boring? This indulgent yet secretly simple meal is made from scratch with tender penne tossed in a luscious tomato-cream sauce that's silky smooth and downright irresistible. This quick and easy recipe is comfort food perfection.
I love this recipe because it's fast, fuss-free, and family-friendly. With effortless preparation and endless flavor, this carb-loaded meal is perfect for busy weeknights when you need dinner on the table in a hurry. Creamy tomato pasta is filling, flavorful, and kid-friendly. Make a big batch because the whole family with be asking for seconds - seriously, don't expect leftovers.
This recipe was inspired by my love for quick pasta dinners that deliver big flavor without a long ingredient list. If you like this one, try my Cacio e Pepe or Spaghetti Carbonara next. Both are just as easy and delicious.
How is this so simple yet so good and why am I only learning it now 😭
- Harry ★★★★★
Why You'll Love This Creamy Tomato Pasta Recipe
- Quick and easy dinner. This creamy tomato pasta is ready to serve in just 20 minutes from start to finish. It's a simple and uncomplicated, beginner-friendly dish that packs a lot of flavor without requiring a lot of hassle. A true weeknight lifesaver!
- Simple pantry ingredients. One of the best parts of this recipe is that it relies on staples and real ingredients you probably already have: pasta, tomato sauce, cream, and parmesan. It's the perfect "what's for dinner?" solution when the fridge looks empty and a year-round comfort food you can whip up anytime.
- Incredibly versatile. This pasta with creamy tomato sauce is the definition of flexible. It can be served as main dish for dinner or a side dish to another entree (hello Chicken Parm!). Plus, you can customize it by adding in your favorite protein, veggies, and spices. However you serve it, it will be a favorite you'll never get tired of!
- Perfect comfort food. Cozy, rich, and creamy, this pasta checks all the boxes when it comes to comfort food. It's the kind of meal that can make even a plain Tuesday night feel a little more special, without requiring hours in the kitchen. Pair with garlic bread or a crisp side salad, and you've got a weeknight dinner worth repeating.
- Kid-friendly and crowd-pleasing. Creamy pasta dishes are always a hit with the whole family. Even picky eaters will go back for seconds! Plus, the recipe is easy to scale up, so you can double it to feed a crowd, bring it to a potluck, or make extra for leftovers (but don't be surprised if there aren't any).
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Ingredients and Substitutions
To make this delicious creamy tomato pasta, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- pasta - Penne holds the sauce beautifully, but you can swap with your favorite pasta shape. Try rotini, rigatoni, fusilli, cavatappi, or spaghetti. Use gluten-free pasta if needed.
- butter - Adds richness and helps sauté the garlic. Olive oil works too if you prefer.
- garlic - Fresh garlic cloves gives the sauce its base flavor. Use a tablespoon of pre-minced garlic instead if in a rush, but fresh tastes best.
- tomato sauce - Provides the tangy tomato base. Crushed tomatoes can be used for a chunkier sauce. Use homemade or store-bought.
- tomato paste - Deepens the tomato flavor. You can skip it, but the sauce won't be as rich. You can use tomato puree in place of tomato paste at a 3:1 ratio.
- heavy cream - Creates the luscious creamy texture. Substitute with half-and-half, coconut cream or milk (for dairy-free), or cashew cream. Note these alternatives will change the taste of the pasta making it slightly sweeter.
- Parmesan cheese - Adds a rich, salty, nutty flavor. Pecorino Romano or Asiago cheese are both great swaps for Parmesan.
- salt and pepper - Essential seasonings to balance flavors.
- fresh parsley - Adds freshness at the end. Fresh basil or oregano also pair beautifully. You can also leave it out completely if you prefer.
Equipment
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, saucepan, large skillet, wooden spoon or spatula, and a colander.
Instructions
- Cook pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 10 minutes or according to package directions. Drain the pasta well and set aside.
- Sauté garlic. Meanwhile, heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until bubbly hot, about 1 minute. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add tomato sauce. Pour in tomato sauce and tomato paste. Stir and bring it to a simmer, about 4-5 minutes.
- Add cream. Reduce the heat to low and stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Cook until thickened to a desired consistency, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Toss in pasta. Add in the cooked pasta and toss well to coat evenly. Garnish with parsley and serve warm.
Recipe Video
Expert Tip: Don't Overcook the Pasta
Boil your pasta until just al dente - tender but still slightly firm to the bite. It will continue to cook a little when tossed in the hot sauce, so this ensures it doesn't turn mushy and keeps that perfect texture.
More Tips and Tricks
- Salt your pasta water generously. It should taste like the sea - this is the first chance to flavor the pasta itself.
- Don't rush the garlic. Garlic burns quickly, so sauté just until fragrant, not brown.
- Simmer gently. Be careful not to overheat the cream, as it can curdle and separate. Add the cream to the sauce at the end of cooking and keep the heat low. A slow simmer prevents the cream from curdling and keeps the sauce silky.
- Use freshly grated cheese. Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly. Freshly grated Parmesan will give you the best creamy consistency.
- Top with cheese. Serve with a generous sprinkling of parmesan cheese (really, don't skimp on the cheese!).
- Garnish with fresh herbs. We garnished with fresh parsley, but you can use other fresh herbs such as basil or oregano. Herbs add a burst of freshness and color to the dish.
Recipe Variations
- Add protein. Feeding a crowd or eating a late lunch? Make the pasta a little more filling by adding a pre-cooked protein like grilled or oven baked chicken, shrimp, beef, or Italian sausage.
- Add veggies. Sauté some veggies before you add in the garlic to make this pasta more heartier. Some great options are mushrooms, broccoli, and zucchini. You can also stir in a few handfuls of spinach at the end until wilted (in the last minute of cooking).
- Make it spicy. Make spicy creamy tomato pasta by adding some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the tomato sauce for a bit of heat.
- Turn it into pasta alla vodka: Add a splash of vodka to the tomato sauce for a unique flavor. Simmer the sauce until the alcohol has cooked off before adding the cream.
- Go cheesy. Stir in extra mozzarella for a gooey, cheesy version of this pasta.
- Dairy-free version. Use coconut cream and vegan Parmesan for a dairy-free creamy tomato pasta.
- Lighter option. Use half-and-half instead of cream, or Greek yogurt for a tangy, creamy finish.
Storage
How to Store
Transfer any leftover tomato pasta into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2-3 days.
How to Reheat
Reheat in the microwave in 30-second increments until heated through, or in a skillet on the stovetop for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until warm. Add a splash of water or cream if the sauce has thickened in the fridge.
How to Freeze
It's best to freeze the creamy tomato sauce separately from the pasta, since pasta tends to get mushy once frozen and reheated. Transfer the cooled sauce into an airtight, freezer-safe container or resealable bag, leaving a little space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
How to Serve
Creamy tomato pasta is delicious on its own, but it's even better paired with Italian-inspired sides.
- Try it with garlic bread, focaccia, or ciabatta to soak up the sauce.
- Add a light salad like Arugula Salad or Caesar Salad.
- Pair with roasted veggies like zucchini, broccoli, or asparagus.
These are my favorite dishes to serve with creamy tomato pasta:
Side Dishes for Pasta
For more recipe ideas, check out our collection of pasta side dishes, featuring everything from fresh salads and roasted vegetables to crusty breads and flavorful appetizers that pair perfectly with any pasta dinner.
FAQ
Creamy tomato pasta is often called pasta alla rosa in Italian, which literally means "pink pasta." The pinkish hue comes from mixing tomato sauce with cream, creating a silky and balanced sauce that's both tangy and rich.
Heavy cream is the most common choice because it creates the richest and creamiest sauce without curdling. You can also use half-and-half for a lighter sauce or coconut milk for a dairy-free option.
Cream balances the acidity of the tomatoes, making the sauce smoother and less sharp. It also thickens the sauce and gives it a velvety texture, turning a basic tomato sauce into a restaurant-style dish.
You can swap the heavy cream with alternatives like cashew cream, coconut milk, or blended silken tofu. Even a bit of whole milk mixed with butter can mimic creaminess while keeping the dish lighter.
Always lower the heat before adding cream and stir it in slowly. High heat can cause cream to split. Adding cream after the tomato sauce has simmered helps keep it smooth and stable.
Yes, heavy cream naturally thickens the sauce as it reduces during simmering. For an even thicker sauce, let it cook a few minutes longer or add a little extra Parmesan cheese.
More Pasta Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
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Recipe
Creamy Tomato Pasta
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Creamy Tomato Pasta is a simple and delicious meal made from scratch with a cream and tomato based sauce that is rich and silky smooth. This quick and easy recipe is ready in under 30 minutes using simple ingredients that are easy to find.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces penne pasta, uncooked (½ pound)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 10 minutes or according to package directions. Drain the pasta well and set aside.
- Meanwhile, heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until bubbly hot, about 1 minute. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Pour in tomato sauce and tomato paste. Stir and bring it to a simmer, about 4-5 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Cook until thickened to a desired consistency, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add in the cooked pasta and toss well to coat evenly.
- Garnish with parsley and serve warm.
Notes
How to store: Transfer any leftover tomato pasta into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2-3 days.
How to reheat: Reheat in the microwave in 30-second increments until heated through, or in a skillet on the stovetop for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until warm. Add a splash of water or cream if the sauce has thickened in the fridge.
How to freeze: It's best to freeze the creamy tomato sauce separately from the pasta, since pasta tends to get mushy once frozen and reheated. Transfer the cooled sauce into an airtight, freezer-safe container or resealable bag, leaving a little space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
This recipe was originally posted in 2023 and was updated with new content.
Evan says
I made this for my family and I and added chicken. I would gladly make this again.
Chev says
This was really easy to make. It’s the kids favourite now!
Harry says
How is this so simple yet so good and why am I only learning it now 😭 (added my own spices in for heat)
Katie says
Best pasta ever!!
Bobbi says
I made this pasta tonight, I did add some pepper flakes to give it a bit of a bite, and meat balls which made it complete for my husband. This sauce is absolutely delicious.Both my husband and I enjoyed it, plus it made enough for two meals. I will serve this pasta to company.