This creamy tomato pasta is a delightful fusion of tangy tomatoes and a rich, velvety cream sauce. The combination of tomato passata, cream, and parmesan creates a luscious, comforting sauce that beautifully clings to each strand of spaghetti. A balance of flavors and texture makes it the perfect go-to pasta dish for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
The recipe is incredibly versatile. You can enjoy it as is, or make it your own by adding chicken, shrimp, or vegetables like spinach or bell peppers. Either way, it’s sure to become a family favorite for its simplicity and irresistible taste.
Full Recipe:
- 300g/10 oz spaghetti
- 2 tbsp / 30g unsalted butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup / 250 ml tomato passata (pureed tomatoes)
- 3/4 cup / 185 ml heavy cream
- 1/2 cup / 125 ml low-fat milk
- 3/4 cup / 30g freshly grated parmesan
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp chicken or vegetable stock powder (or 1 bouillon cube)
- Salt and finely ground pepper to taste
Directions:
- Cook the spaghetti in a large pot of boiling water for the time indicated on the packet, minus 2 minutes. Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining.
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion, cooking until translucent (about 2 minutes).
- Stir in the tomato passata, cream, milk, parmesan, dried basil, and stock powder. Simmer the sauce for 2 minutes until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat, allowing the sauce to cling to the noodles. If the sauce becomes too thick, use the reserved pasta water to thin it out.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve immediately, garnished with extra parmesan if desired.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes
Kcal: 546 kcal | Servings: 4
Creamy Tomato Pasta: A Perfect Balance of Comfort and Flavor
Creamy Tomato Pasta is one of those dishes that instantly evokes comfort. Its rich, velvety texture combined with the tanginess of tomatoes creates a perfect harmony that appeals to both simple and sophisticated palates. This versatile dish can be a quick weeknight dinner solution, a star dish for gatherings, or a satisfying comfort meal for quiet nights at home.
The allure of Creamy Tomato Pasta lies in its simplicity. The marriage of a few key ingredients—tomato passata, cream, milk, and parmesan—creates a sauce that feels luxurious without being overly indulgent. The dish is also quite adaptable, which means there’s plenty of room for creativity. Let’s dive into why this creamy pasta dish is so popular and how you can make it your own.
Why Creamy Tomato Pasta Stands Out
- Balanced Flavor Profile: The star of this dish is its creamy tomato sauce. It strikes a balance between acidity from the tomatoes and richness from the cream and cheese. The flavors meld together seamlessly, creating a dish that is both savory and comforting.
- Quick and Easy: This pasta recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, making it an excellent option for busy weeknights. Despite its simplicity, the result is a dish that tastes like it took much longer to prepare.
- Customizable: One of the best things about creamy tomato pasta is its versatility. Whether you prefer to keep it as a vegetarian dish or bulk it up with proteins like chicken, shrimp, or bacon, there are numerous ways to make this dish your own.
- Accessible Ingredients: You won’t need any hard-to-find ingredients. Everything needed for this recipe is likely already in your pantry or can be easily picked up from your local grocery store. Ingredients like tomato passata, cream, butter, and parmesan are common kitchen staples that come together to make a satisfying dish.
- Family-Friendly: Creamy Tomato Pasta is a dish that’s sure to please everyone, including picky eaters. The creamy sauce is comforting and familiar, making it a hit with both adults and children alike. Plus, you can adjust the richness and creaminess according to personal preference by tweaking the amount of cream or milk used.
- Perfect for Leftovers: The pasta reheats beautifully, so you can enjoy it the next day for lunch or dinner. Leftovers can be jazzed up by adding different proteins or vegetables, which means this recipe can be a time-saving solution for meal prep throughout the week.
The Magic of Tomato Cream Sauce
The heart of this dish lies in its sauce—a luscious tomato cream sauce that coats the pasta in a silky layer of flavor. But what makes this sauce so irresistible?
- Tomato Passata as the Base: The use of tomato passata (pureed tomatoes) in this recipe gives the sauce a smoother, more refined texture compared to crushed tomatoes. Passata is 100% tomato, with no additives, making it an excellent base for a rich and flavorful sauce. If you don’t have passata, crushed tomatoes can be used, but you’ll need to cook them down longer to achieve the same smooth consistency.
- Cream Without the Guilt: While traditional creamy pasta sauces often call for large amounts of heavy cream, this recipe uses a combination of cream and milk to lighten things up. The sauce still feels indulgent, but with a bit less richness, allowing the flavors of the tomato and parmesan to shine.
- Parmesan for Depth: Adding freshly grated parmesan cheese to the sauce gives it a rich, umami flavor that complements the creaminess of the sauce. Be sure to use freshly grated parmesan instead of pre-grated varieties, as they don’t melt as smoothly.
- A Hint of Herbs: Dried basil (or your herb of choice) is the perfect finishing touch, giving the sauce a subtle earthy flavor. You can also experiment with other herbs like oregano, thyme, or even a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a hint of spice.
Ways to Customize Creamy Tomato Pasta
Though the basic recipe is delicious on its own, there are plenty of ways to make this creamy tomato pasta your own:
- Add Protein: You can easily incorporate proteins like grilled chicken, shrimp, or even crispy bacon or pancetta into the dish. Cook the protein separately and add it to the sauce at the end for a complete, satisfying meal.
- Vegetarian-Friendly Options: If you prefer to keep the dish meatless, consider adding vegetables such as spinach, zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms. These veggies not only add color to the dish but also increase the nutritional value.
- Swap the Pasta: While this recipe calls for spaghetti, you can use any pasta shape you prefer. Penne, rigatoni, fettuccine, or even ravioli would work well with the sauce. The sauce clings particularly well to ridged pasta shapes, ensuring every bite is flavorful.
- Spice It Up: For those who like a bit of heat, adding red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce to the sauce can take the flavor to the next level. The spice contrasts beautifully with the creamy richness of the sauce.
- Healthier Variations: If you’re looking for a lighter version of the dish, you can reduce the amount of cream and replace it with more milk or even use evaporated milk for a lighter but still creamy texture. You can also substitute whole wheat or gluten-free pasta depending on dietary preferences.
- Cheese Lovers Unite: While the recipe already includes parmesan cheese, you can take it up a notch by adding mozzarella, pecorino, or even a sprinkle of ricotta on top before serving. A cheesy pasta is always a good idea for extra indulgence.
Pairing Suggestions
When serving Creamy Tomato Pasta, consider these ideas to round out the meal:
- Garlic Bread: What’s better than pairing pasta with garlic bread? The crunchy, buttery bread is perfect for mopping up any leftover sauce on your plate.
- Fresh Salad: A simple garden salad with balsamic vinaigrette or a Caesar salad complements the richness of the pasta. The acidity from the dressing helps to balance the creaminess of the sauce.
- Wine Pairing: A glass of white wine, like a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, pairs beautifully with this dish. For red wine lovers, a light-bodied red like Chianti works well with the acidity of the tomatoes.
- Grilled Vegetables: For a lighter side dish, consider serving grilled vegetables like zucchini, asparagus, or bell peppers. The charred, smoky flavor contrasts nicely with the creamy pasta.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Creamy Tomato Pasta is a comforting, versatile, and crowd-pleasing dish that belongs in everyone’s cooking repertoire. Whether you’re whipping it up for a weeknight dinner or serving it to guests, it’s guaranteed to satisfy. The dish offers endless possibilities for customization, allowing you to experiment with different proteins, vegetables, and seasonings to suit your taste.
The beauty of this recipe is in its simplicity—it’s a reminder that you don’t need an elaborate list of ingredients or hours of preparation to create something delicious. With a few pantry staples and a little love, you can have a restaurant-quality meal on the table in under 30 minutes. So the next time you’re craving comfort food, reach for this creamy, dreamy pasta dish—it won’t disappoint.