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Homemade creamy tomato pasta topped with cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, Parmesan, and black pepper in a rustic bowl.

Creamy Tomato Pasta

A comforting, family-favorite creamy tomato pasta that comes together in under 30 minutes using pantry staples and a splash of heavy cream. Perfect for busy weeknights and easy to customize with proteins or vegetables.
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: Best creamy tomato pasta sauce, Creamy Tomato Pasta, Creamy tomato pasta sauce with milk, Creamy tomato pasta sauce without cream, creamy tomato pasta, chicken, Easy creamy tomato pasta sauce, Tomato cream sauce
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 480kcal
Cost: $11

Equipment

  • Large pot (For boiling pasta)
  • Large skillet (For making the sauce)
  • Wooden spoon (For stirring)
  • Sharp knife (For chopping garlic and herbs)
  • Cutting board (For safe chopping)
  • Colander (For draining pasta)
  • Measuring spoons (For spices and seasonings)
  • Measuring cups (For liquids and pasta water)
  • Can opener (For canned tomatoes)

Ingredients

  • 12 oz Penne or rigatoni - Any short pasta works
  • 2 tablespoon Olive oil - Extra virgin preferred
  • 1 Yellow onion - Diced
  • 3 cloves Garlic - Minced
  • 2 tablespoon Tomato paste
  • ⅓ cup Dry white wine - Optional, for depth
  • 1 can Crushed tomatoes - (28 oz)
  • ½ teaspoon Red pepper flakes - Optional, for heat
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Sea salt - To taste
  • Black pepper - To taste
  • ¾ cup Heavy cream - Add off heat
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese - Grated, more to taste
  • ¼ cup Fresh basil - Torn or chopped
  • 1 cup Pasta water - Reserved from cooking pasta

Instructions

  • Boil pasta and reserve pasta water
  • Sauté onion and garlic
  • Add tomato paste and wine, cook down
  • Stir in crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 8–10 minutes until slightly thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  • Reduce heat to low. Slowly stir in heavy cream until well blended.
  • Add cooked pasta to the sauce. Toss gently, adding reserved pasta water as needed for desired consistency.
  • Remove from heat. Stir in Parmesan cheese and fresh basil. Serve warm with extra cheese if desired.

Notes

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be considered an approximation. Actual values may vary based on specific ingredients used and portion sizes.Feel free to add more of your favorite toppings.

Nutrition

Serving: 250g | Calories: 480kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 520mg | Potassium: 720mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 950IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 180mg | Iron: 3mg