Easy One Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta
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This creamy tomato pasta is perfect if you're looking for a quick and comforting dinner. With fresh tomatoes, garlic, and rich cream, it's a simple yet delicious dish you can whip up in just 25 minutes. Ideal for busy weeknights!
If you love this recipe but only have tinned tomatoes, then try my pasta tomato and mascarpone recipe. Or this 30-minute rose pasta sauce. Try this creamy chicken and bacon pasta and my favourite sun-dried tomato and spinach pasta for more one-pot pasta recipes. Or check out my top 10 pasta recipes.
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⭐️ Why this recipe works
- Simple Ingredients: Uses common pantry staples like penne or spaghetti, fresh tomatoes, garlic, and onion.
- Quick Preparation: Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
- Flavorful Sauce: Fresh tomatoes and basil create a vibrant and aromatic sauce.
- Versatile: Easy to adapt with different proteins or vegetables.
- Creamy Texture: Double cream adds a rich, velvety finish to the sauce.
🧾 Ingredients overview
- Spaghetti: Base of the dish, absorbs the flavorful sauce.
- Fresh Tomatoes: Provides a fresh, tangy flavor and vibrant color.
- Olive Oil: Used to sauté the aromatics and enhance the overall flavor.
- Garlic: Adds a depth of flavor and aroma.
- Onion: Contributes a sweet and savory taste to the sauce.
- Chicken or Vegetable Stock: Adds depth and richness to the sauce.
- Double Cream: Creates a creamy, smooth texture in the sauce.
- Fresh Basil: Adds a fresh, herbaceous note to the dish.
For precise measurements and additional ingredients, refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
👩🏻🍳 Here's how to make it
Creamy Tomato Pasta recipe step-by-step
- Heat the Oil: In a medium, high-sided skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat for 2 minutes.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté gently until soft, fragrant, and translucent.
- Cook Tomatoes: Stir in the chopped tomatoes and cook until they start to caramelize slightly.
- Add Stock and Pasta: Pour in the stock and add the spaghetti, ensuring it’s fully submerged in the liquid.
- Cook Pasta: Let it cook for about 15 minutes or until the pasta is al dente.
- Combine Ingredients: Gently stir in the double cream and fresh basil. Let it sit for a couple of minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve: Serve hot, garnished with additional basil if desired.
📖 Variations
- Pasta: Substitute spaghetti with penne, fusilli, or any other pasta shape.
- Tomatoes: Use canned tomatoes or a combination of fresh and sun-dried tomatoes.
- Cream: Replace double cream with single cream, half-and-half, or a dairy-free alternative like coconut cream.
- Add-ins: Incorporate vegetables like spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers for extra nutrition.
- Proteins: Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu for a more substantial meal.
💡 Chef's Guide: Expert Tips
Drawing on a decade of experience in Michelin-starred kitchens and Cordon Bleu training, I have compiled my top tips for recipe success.
- Tomato Peeling: For a smoother sauce, peel the tomatoes by blanching them in boiling water for 30 seconds, then plunging them into ice water.
- Caramelizing Onions: Cook onions slowly over low heat to caramelize them, adding a natural sweetness to the dish.
- Infusing Garlic: Slightly crush garlic cloves before mincing to release more flavor.
- Pasta Water: Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining to adjust the sauce consistency if needed.
🍯 Storing and reheating leftovers
- Fridge: Store the cooled pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: To reheat, place the pasta in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or stock to loosen the sauce. Heat until warmed through, stirring occasionally.
❓Recipe FAQ's
To prevent the pasta from sticking, ensure it is fully submerged in the stock while cooking and stir occasionally. Adding a bit of olive oil to the boiling water can also help.
Pasta is al dente when it is tender yet firm to the bite. Taste a piece a minute or two before the recommended cooking time on the package to check for the desired texture.
Parmesan, Pecorino Romano, or even a sprinkle of mozzarella can enhance the flavor of tomato pasta. Add the cheese just before serving.
Looking for other easy pasta recipes? Try these:
If you tried this Creamy Tomato Pasta please let me know in the comments below, and please leave a star rating while you're there!
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Easy One Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta
Ingredients
- 250 g (½ lb) uncooked spaghetti
- 500 g (1 lb) fresh tomatoes, chopped (or use 1 x 400 g tin of chopped tomatoes)
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 500 ml (2 cups) chicken or vegetable stock, use stock cube for convenience
- 150 ml (¾ cups) double cream
- ½ bunch fresh basil
Instructions
- Heat the Oil: In a medium, high-sided skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat for 2 minutes.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté gently until soft, fragrant, and translucent.
- Cook Tomatoes: Stir in the chopped tomatoes and cook until they start to caramelise slightly.
- Add Stock and Pasta: Pour in the stock and add the spaghetti, ensuring it’s fully submerged in the liquid.
- Cook Pasta: Let it cook for about 15 minutes or until the pasta is al dente.
- Combine Ingredients: Gently stir in the double cream and fresh basil. Let it sit for a couple of minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve: Serve hot, garnished with additional basil if desired.
Notes
- Stock Selection: Choose stock that complements your dish (chicken stock for a richer flavor, vegetable stock for a vegetarian option).
- Cream Alternatives: For a lighter version, you can use single cream (half-and-half) or a mixture of milk and butter instead of double cream.
Nutrition
Meet the Chef!
Hi, I'm Debs. Cordon Bleu trained chef. I help you get incredible dinners on the table fast with fool-proof recipes and meal plans designed for tiny budgets! You'll find easy recipes with step-by-step instructions along with tips and tricks that I've learned over a 10-year career in professional kitchens.
Delicious! Both my fussy kids loved it. No leftovers on the plate.
I'm so happy that this recipe was such a hit! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment. It's so appreciated! 🙂
Easy to make & super tasty. Family loves it. It’s now in our once per week menu.
Amazing! So happy that it's a hit. 🙂
I love this recipe because its so simple, with basic ingredients, yet punches way above its weight in terms of taste! I recommend anyone to try it :). Thanks Deborah!
Amazing! So happy you love it so much. Yes. It's simplicity is slightly deceiving. It's so much more than the sum of it's parts! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment. It's very appreciated. 🙂