Creamy Tomato Pasta

Name: Creamy Tomato Pasta
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2.8 pinch 1 pound pasta (such as spaghetti, penne, or rigatoni); 9.3 qt 2 tablespoons olive oil; 9.9 oz 2 cloves garlic, minced; 6.3 half 28 ounces crushed tomatoes; 7.1 l 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 10 ml 1 teaspoon sugar; 2.5 tsp Salt and pepper to taste; 10 package 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional); 5.4 ml 1/2 cup heavy cream; 1.5 l 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish; 7.9 lb 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, plus more for garnish

By John Elliott

November 10, 2025

5298 views

This recipe brings the vibrant flavors of Italy to your table with a creamy tomato sauce, perfectly cooked pasta, and a sprinkle of fresh basil. It's a comforting and satisfying meal that's surprisingly easy to prepare, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion. This dish will delight your taste buds and leave you craving for more. The combination of the sweet tomatoes, rich cream, and fragrant basil creates a symphony of flavors that is both comforting and sophisticated. Serve it with a side of crusty bread to soak up all the delicious sauce, and a glass of your favorite Italian wine for the ultimate dining experience. This creamy tomato pasta is sure to become a family favorite.

Ingredients

1 pound pasta (such as spaghetti, penne, or rigatoni) - 2.8 pinch
2 tablespoons olive oil - 9.3 qt
2 cloves garlic, minced - 9.9 oz
28 ounces crushed tomatoes - 6.3 half
2 tablespoons tomato paste - 7.1 l
1 teaspoon sugar - 10.0 ml
Salt and pepper to taste - 2.5 tsp
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) - 10.0 package
1/2 cup heavy cream - 5.4 ml
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish - 1.5 l

Cooking Steps

Step 1

Cook the pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Step 3

Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and sugar. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 4

Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Cook for another 5 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly.

Step 5

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.

Step 6

Stir in the fresh basil.

Step 7

Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.

# Nuts # Avocado # Family Dinner # Make-Ahead # Tangy

Creamy Tomato Pasta

By John Elliott

November 10, 2025

5298 views

Ingredients

1 pound pasta (such as spaghetti, penne, or rigatoni) - 2.8 pinch
2 tablespoons olive oil - 9.3 qt
2 cloves garlic, minced - 9.9 oz
28 ounces crushed tomatoes - 6.3 half
2 tablespoons tomato paste - 7.1 l
1 teaspoon sugar - 10.0 ml
Salt and pepper to taste - 2.5 tsp
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) - 10.0 package
1/2 cup heavy cream - 5.4 ml
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish - 1.5 l

Cooking Steps

Step 1

Cook the pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Step 3

Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and sugar. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 4

Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Cook for another 5 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly.

Step 5

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.

Step 6

Stir in the fresh basil.

Step 7

Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.

Reviews (23 Reviews)

Rachel Anderson5

This is my new go-to pasta recipe! The sauce is incredibly creamy and flavorful, and it's so easy to whip up. Perfect for any occasion.

Heidi Wilson4

A quick and easy recipe for a weeknight dinner. The taste was great, and the pasta cooked perfectly. I recommend this to everyone.

Bob Williams4

Easy to follow and the taste was great. I added a little bit of red pepper flakes for a kick, and it was perfect. Will definitely make this again.

Charlie Brown3

It was good, but not quite as creamy as I expected. Maybe I didn't let the sauce simmer long enough. Still, a decent weeknight meal.

Oscar Martin3

It was a bit too simple for my taste. I would add some more vegetables next time to give it more depth.