Description
This Creamy Tomato Pasta is an easy and quick dinner idea made with simple pantry ingredients and a silky tomato cream sauce. It is one of the best healthy pasta ideas for weeknight dinner and meal prep because it tastes cozy without feeling heavy. Serve it for a casual party or potluck and enjoy a comforting bowl that feels homemade and family friendly every time.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 small finely diced Yellow onion
- 4 minced Garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
- 1 can 28 ounces Crushed tomatoes
- 3/4 cup Heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon optional Red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon or to taste Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1/4 cup torn Fresh basil
Instructions
- The dry penne changes into plump tender pasta as it cooks and grows slightly larger. The pieces look uneven and lightly glossy with a few edges overlapping naturally.
- The onion turns translucent and the garlic blends into the base while tomato paste darkens the mixture. The sauce base looks thicker and deeper red with small uneven onion bits showing through.
- The crushed tomatoes spread through the skillet and turn the base into a bubbling red sauce. The texture becomes looser at first and then slightly thick with rustic tomato pieces still visible.
- The sauce changes from bright red to a warm orange red as cream blends through it. Parmesan melts unevenly and leaves a silky sauce with tiny pale streaks before it turns smooth.
- The penne moves from plain pasta into a coated creamy tomato mixture. Some pasta pieces are fully covered while others show lighter ridges and the sauce gathers in small uneven pockets.
- The finished pasta becomes a single plated portion with sauce clinging to every piece. Basil and Parmesan sit unevenly on top with natural homemade texture and a little melted cheese showing between the pasta.
Notes
Pro Tips:
- Save a little pasta water so you can loosen the sauce if it gets too thick before serving.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan because it melts smoother and gives the sauce a better texture.
- Simmer the tomatoes before adding cream so the sauce tastes rich and balanced instead of sharp.
- Tear basil by hand at the end so it keeps a fresh look and does not bruise too much.
Storage: Store leftover Creamy Tomato Pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The sauce may thicken as it chills so add a small splash of milk or water when reheating. Warm it gently on the stove or in the microwave and stir halfway through so the sauce coats the pasta again. Freezing is possible but the cream sauce may look slightly grainy after thawing so fresh leftovers taste best.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dishes
- Cuisine: American Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 62g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 48mg