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Easy One Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta

creamy tomato pasta - featured image

A quick and comforting one-pot pasta recipe with a creamy tomato sauce, perfect for busy weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti)
  • 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Β½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: Fresh spinach, cooked chicken, mushrooms, or red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add minced garlic and chopped onion, cooking until fragrant and translucent (about 3 minutes).
  2. Stir in the crushed tomatoes and dried basil. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to deepen the flavor.
  3. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil. Add the pasta and stir to ensure it’s evenly coated with the sauce.
  4. Reduce heat to medium-low and cover the pot. Cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
  5. Stir in the heavy cream and let it simmer for another 2-3 minutes. The sauce should thicken beautifully.
  6. Sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and incorporated.
  7. Taste the sauce and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan or fresh basil if desired.

Notes

If the sauce looks too thick, add a splash of broth or cream to loosen it up. Customize the flavor with red chili flakes for heat or a teaspoon of sugar if your tomatoes are too acidic.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy tomato pasta, one pot pasta, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, Italian comfort food