Creamy Tomato Pasta 🍅🧄🧈🧀🍝 Velvety, Tangy, and Comforting With a Silky Tomato-Parmesan Sauce

This is weeknight indulgence done right — a no-fuss tomato cream sauce that hits every craving. It’s bold with tomato flavor, mellowed by cream, and balanced by garlic, butter, and a generous handful of cheese.

Whether you keep it simple or dress it up, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients (Serves 2–3)

For the pasta

• 8 oz penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti
• Salted water for boiling
• ¼ cup reserved pasta water

For the sauce

• 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes or tomato purée
• ¾ cup heavy cream or half-and-half
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 tsp sugar (optional, to mellow acidity)

To finish

• More Parmesan for topping
• Fresh basil or parsley
• Optional: drizzle of olive oil or chili oil

Instructions

Step 1: Boil the pasta
Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve ¼ cup pasta water, then drain.

Step 2: Sauté garlic and tomato paste
In a large skillet, heat olive oil or butter over medium. Add garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté 1–2 minutes until fragrant, then stir in tomato paste. Cook 2–3 minutes to deepen color and flavor.

Step 3: Build the sauce
Add crushed tomatoes and season with salt, pepper, and sugar if needed. Simmer for 5–7 minutes until thickened. Lower heat and stir in cream.

Step 4: Add cheese and pasta
Stir in Parmesan until melted. Add cooked pasta and splash of pasta water. Toss to coat everything in the glossy sauce.

Step 5: Serve hot
Top with more cheese, herbs, and a drizzle of oil if desired.

Flavor Variations

• Add sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini
• Toss in cooked shrimp, sausage, or grilled chicken
• Use ricotta or mascarpone instead of cream for a lighter feel
• Add a splash of white wine before the tomatoes for acidity
• Finish with lemon zest for a citrusy lift

Pro Tips

• Tomato paste adds concentrated flavor — don’t skip it
• Let the sauce simmer long enough to meld but not over-reduce
• Use freshly grated cheese for the smoothest melt
• Reserve pasta water — it helps the sauce cling and emulsify
• Add cream off heat to prevent curdling

Final Thoughts

Creamy Tomato Pasta is pure comfort — silky, balanced, and endlessly riffable. Whether you serve it solo or build it out, it delivers that perfect fusion of richness and brightness in every bite.

Simmer it. Swirl it. Let the cream do the magic. 🍅🧄🧈🧀🍝

🍝 Pasta Recipes Collection

Explore All Pasta Recipes – A complete noodle lover’s hub — creamy, meaty, veggie-packed, or refreshingly cold, these recipes have it all.

🧄 Classic & Comforting

• 🧄 Classic Pasta Recipes – Tried-and-true dishes like spaghetti, fettuccine, and timeless tomato-based favorites.
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🧀 Sauce Styles

• 🥛 Creamy Pasta Recipes – Silky sauces made with cream, cheese, or both — pure comfort in a bowl.
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• 🥄 White Sauce Pasta Recipes – Mellow and smooth béchamel-based recipes that pair beautifully with chicken or veggies.
• 🍅 Red Sauce Pasta Recipes – Bright, bold tomato sauces — classic marinara, spicy arrabbiata, and more.
• 🌿 Pesto Pasta Recipes – Herbaceous and vibrant, these green-sauced dishes are perfect for warm-weather meals.

🍗 Protein-Packed Pastas

• 🐓 Chicken Pasta Recipes – Tender chicken meets creamy or tangy sauces — the perfect protein-pasta pairings.
• 🍤 Shrimp Pasta Recipes – Juicy shrimp with garlic butter, wine, or creamy sauces — quick and elegant.
• 🐟 Seafood Pasta Recipes – Scallops, crab, salmon, or mixed shellfish in rich and zesty sauces.
• 🐄 Ground Beef Pasta Recipes – Comforting classics like bolognese, skillet meals, and one-pot beefy favorites.
• 🌭 Sausage Pasta Recipes – Hearty and spiced — from Italian to spicy andouille, sausage elevates every bite.

🥗 Pasta Salads & Light Fare

• 🥗 Pasta Salad Recipes – Great for potlucks, picnics, or meal prep — versatile and crowd-pleasing.
• ❄️ Cold Pasta Salad Recipes – Crisp veggies and chilled noodles tossed with light vinaigrettes or creamy dressings.
• ⏱️ Easy Pasta Salad Recipes – Quick assembly, great texture — ideal for lunches and BBQs.
• 🥬 Healthy Pasta Recipes – Nourishing options made with whole grains, lean proteins, and fresh produce.