Speedy Creamy Tomato Pasta Recipe: One Pot Wonder

Comfort meets convenience in this mouthwatering one pot creamy tomato pasta that promises to delight your taste buds.

Weeknight dinners just got a whole lot easier with this simple yet satisfying meal.

creamy sauce coats perfectly al dente pasta, creating a harmony of flavors in every single bite.

The rich tomato base blends seamlessly with smooth cream, delivering a restaurant-quality dish right in your kitchen.

Minimal cleanup and maximum flavor make this recipe a total winner for busy home cooks.

You’ll love how quickly this meal comes together without sacrificing an ounce of deliciousness.

Prepare to be amazed by how such simple ingredients can create such an extraordinary dinner.

Why One Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta Is So Handy

• This one-pot tomato pasta recipe transforms ordinary ingredients into a delightful meal with minimal kitchen hassle.
• Single skillet cooking means fewer dishes, letting you spend less time scrubbing and more time savoring your delicious creation.
• Creamy, tangy, and packed with fresh ingredients, this dish appeals to both kids and adults, making mealtime a joyful experience.
• Easily customizable with extra vegetables, proteins, or cheese, this recipe adapts to your pantry and personal taste preferences.

What Goes Into One Pot Tomato Pasta

• Spaghetti: The core pasta that serves as the foundation of this creamy one-pot dish.
• Fresh Tomatoes: Provide a bright, sweet base for the sauce and add natural depth of flavor.
• Double Cream: Creates a luxurious, silky texture and softens the tomato's acidity.

• Onion, Garlic: Add a rich, savory foundation that enhances the overall taste of the pasta.

• Stock, Olive Oil: Helps cook the pasta and build a flavorful liquid base for the dish.
• Fresh Basil Leaves: Brings a fresh, herbal note that complements the creamy tomato sauce.

Cooking Creamy Tomato Pasta in One Pot

Step 1: Warm the Cooking Surface

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat for about 2 minutes until it shimmers slightly and becomes fragrant.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

Add chopped onions and minced garlic to the skillet.

Cook while stirring gently until the vegetables become soft and develop a light golden color.

Watch carefully to prevent garlic from burning.

Step 3: Build Tomato Base

Incorporate fresh or canned tomatoes into the skillet.

Cook and stir until tomatoes start to break down and caramelize, releasing their natural sweetness and creating depth of flavor.

Step 4: Introduce Pasta and Liquid

• Pasta
• Vegetable or chicken stock

Pour stock into the skillet and add pasta, ensuring all noodles are submerged.

Gently press pasta down as it softens.

Step 5: Simmer and Cook Pasta

Allow pasta to simmer in liquid for approximately 15 minutes.

Stir periodically to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.

Pasta is ready when it reaches al dente texture and most liquid is absorbed.

Step 6: Create Creamy Sauce

Reduce heat and blend in heavy cream, transforming the sauce into a soft pink color.

Fold in fresh basil leaves and let the dish rest briefly to marry flavors.

Step 7: Serve and Garnish

Transfer pasta to serving bowls.

Optionally top with additional fresh basil leaves.

Serve immediately while hot and enjoy the comforting, creamy dish.

Tips for Creamy and Smooth Tomato Sauce

• Roast garlic and onions briefly before adding to create a deeper, more caramelized taste profile that elevates the entire dish.
• Stir pasta frequently during cooking and ensure enough liquid covers the noodles to maintain smooth, even cooking without clumping.
• Swap double cream with coconut milk or cashew cream for a plant-based version that maintains the creamy texture and rich mouthfeel.
• Replace fresh tomatoes with high-quality canned San Marzano tomatoes during off-season months for consistent, robust flavor.
• Reserve a small amount of pasta water before draining to adjust sauce consistency, helping create a silkier, more cohesive final dish.

Saving and Reheating One Pot Tomato Pasta

• Store leftover pasta in an airtight container, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cover tightly to prevent moisture loss and absorbing other food odors.
• Transfer cooled pasta to freezer-safe containers or ziplock bags, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 2 months, maintaining best quality and taste.
• Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water to prevent drying. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute warmth evenly. Stop when pasta reaches steaming temperature.
• Warm pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of stock or cream to restore moisture. Stir gently and frequently to prevent sticking or burning, heating until completely warmed through.

Side Dishes for Creamy Tomato Pasta

• Savor Harmonious Wine Pairing: Select a crisp Italian white wine like Pinot Grigio that complements the creamy tomato sauce's bright acidity and cuts through the richness.
• Cheese Enhancement Trick: Sprinkle freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Romano on top to add a salty, nutty dimension that elevates the pasta's creamy texture.
• Perfect Herbal Companion: Serve with a simple arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette to provide a peppery, refreshing contrast to the rich, creamy pasta dish.
• Rustic Bread Sidekick: Offer warm, crusty garlic bread or focaccia to soak up the delicious sauce and add a crunchy textural element to the meal.

Fun Twists on Classic Tomato Pasta

• Gluten-Free Zucchini Pasta Variation: Replace spaghetti with spiralized zucchini noodles for a low-carb, vegetable-packed alternative that's perfect for those avoiding wheat.
• Vegan Creamy Tomato Pasta: Swap double cream with coconut milk or cashew cream, use vegetable stock instead of traditional stock, and ensure all ingredients are plant-based for a dairy-free version.
• Spicy Mediterranean Remix: Add red pepper flakes, sprinkle some crumbled feta cheese, and include chopped kalamata olives to transform the basic recipe into a Mediterranean-inspired dish with extra flavor complexity.
• Protein-Packed Option: Incorporate cooked chicken, shredded rotisserie meat, or plant-based protein like white beans to increase the protein content and make the meal more substantial for active individuals.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of pasta for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute spaghetti with other pasta shapes like penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine. Just adjust cooking time based on the pasta’s package instructions.

• Is it possible to make this dish vegetarian?

Absolutely! Simply replace the stock with vegetable broth, and you’ll have a delicious vegetarian one-pot pasta.

• How can I add more protein to this recipe?

You can easily incorporate protein by adding cooked chicken, shrimp, or even pan-seared tofu directly into the pasta during the final cooking stage.

• What if I don't have fresh tomatoes?

No problem! Canned diced tomatoes work perfectly fine and will still provide excellent flavor to the dish. Just drain excess liquid before adding to the skillet.

Easy One Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Comforting creamy tomato pasta brings Italian kitchen magic straight to your dinner table. Silky sauce and tender noodles blend perfectly, delivering a restaurant-quality meal with minimal cleanup and maximum satisfaction you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta:

• 250 g (1/2 lb) uncooked spaghetti

Tomatoes:

• 500 g (1 lb) fresh tomatoes, chopped
• 1 x 400 g tin of chopped tomatoes

Herbs and Aromatics:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 bunch fresh basil

Liquids and Creams:

• 500 ml (2 cups) chicken or vegetable stock
• 150 ml (3/4 cup) double cream

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a skillet over medium heat for 2 minutes until it shimmers subtly.
2. Introduce chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing until translucent and aromatic without scorching the garlic.
3. Incorporate fresh or canned tomatoes, stirring to caramelize and intensify their natural sweetness.
4. Pour stock into the skillet, then submerge spaghetti completely, pressing gently as it softens.
5. Simmer pasta for approximately 15 minutes at medium-low heat, stirring intermittently to prevent adherence to the pan.
6. Reduce heat and blend double cream into the mixture, creating a soft pinkish sauce that coats the pasta evenly.
7. Fold fresh basil leaves into the dish, allowing flavors to harmonize for 2-3 minutes.
8. Transfer pasta to serving bowls, garnishing with additional basil leaves for visual appeal and fresh herbal notes.
9. Serve immediately while the pasta remains piping hot, ensuring maximum flavor and optimal texture.

Notes

• Opt for ripe, juicy tomatoes to enhance the sauce’s natural sweetness and depth of flavor.
• Use vegetable stock to make the dish vegetarian-friendly, ensuring a rich and satisfying meal.
• Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream for a dairy-free alternative that maintains the creamy texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 58 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg