Easy One Pan Creamy Tomato Pasta Recipe
Easy One Pan Creamy Tomato Pasta is the ultimate quick and comforting dinner. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to a perfect, creamy sauce every time. The golden, bubbly cheese and the rich, tomatoey base will make your kitchen cozy and inviting. Try it with my Easy Spicy Garlic Butter Sauce for dinner. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Ground Beef Sweet Potato Bowls with Hot Honey and Hearty Irish Vegetarian Stew with Mushrooms and Potatoes.
Why This Easy One Pan Creamy Tomato Pasta Recipe Is Pure Comfort
- Quick and easy to make
- Creamy tomato sauce without heavy cream
- One pan means less cleanup
What You'll Need for Easy One Pan Creamy Tomato Pasta Recipe
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Pasta
- Tomatoes
- Garlic
- Onion
- Heavy Cream
- Salt
- Pepper
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Basil
- Oregano
- Optional: Parmesan Cheese
- Optional: Fresh Basil
- Optional: Red Pepper Flakes
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Pasta: Use any shape you like, but penne or fusilli work best.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stainless Steel Skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect pasta → See on Amazon
- Box Grater — Quickly grate cheese for a perfect topping → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy One Pan Creamy Tomato Pasta Recipe
- Step 1: Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Step 2: In the same pan, sauté garlic and onion until softened. Add tomatoes, cook until they burst.
- Step 3: Stir in heavy cream, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Simmer until the sauce thickens.
- Step 4: Toss cooked pasta in the sauce, adding reserved pasta water if needed to reach your desired consistency.
- Step 5: Serve immediately, topped with Parmesan cheese, fresh basil, and additional red pepper flakes if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy One Pan Creamy Tomato Pasta Recipe
- : Use an oven-safe pan to easily broil the pasta for a golden cheese topping.
- Common mistake and fix: If your sauce breaks, add a splash of reserved pasta water and stir vigorously. It should come back together.
- : For a vegetarian version, omit the Parmesan cheese or use a vegan alternative.
- : Make it spicy by adding diced pepperoni or chorizo during the tomato cooking step.
Storing & Reheating Easy One Pan Creamy Tomato Pasta Recipe
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the sauce ahead of time and store in the fridge. Cook the pasta and combine when ready to serve.
Freezing Easy One Pan Creamy Tomato Pasta Recipe
Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) until warmed through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a richer flavor, use canned San Marzano tomatoes.
- Best substitution: Substitute heavy cream with full-fat canned coconut milk for a dairy-free version.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead tips.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve more people.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, add more reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
Want to level up this recipe?
Instant Read Thermometer — Ensure perfect pasta every time → Check price on Amazon
Easy One Pan Creamy Tomato Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Pasta
- Tomatoes
- Garlic
- Onion
- Heavy Cream
Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Basil
- Oregano
Optional Toppings
- Parmesan Cheese
- Fresh Basil
- Red Pepper Flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Step 2: In the same pan, sauté garlic and onion until softened. Add tomatoes, cook until they burst.
- Step 3: Stir in heavy cream, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Simmer until the sauce thickens.
- Step 4: Toss cooked pasta in the sauce, adding reserved pasta water if needed to reach your desired consistency.
- Step 5: Serve immediately, topped with Parmesan cheese, fresh basil, and additional red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a richer flavor, use canned San Marzano tomatoes.
- Best substitution: Substitute heavy cream with full-fat canned coconut milk for a dairy-free version.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead tips.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve more people.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, add more reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) until warmed through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: Prepare the sauce ahead of time and store in the fridge. Cook the pasta and combine when ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 550
- Protein: 18g
- Fat: 20g
- Carbs: 70g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 60mg
- Sat. Fat: 12g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy One Pan Creamy Tomato Pasta Recipe FAQs
Yes, see storage notes for make-ahead tips.
If your sauce breaks, add a splash of reserved pasta water and stir vigorously. It should come back together.
Yes, any shape will work, but penne or fusilli work best.
Yes, use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
While you can cook the pasta in the air fryer, it's best to make the sauce on the stove for the best flavor.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy One Pan Creamy Tomato Pasta Recipe and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
