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    Home » Pasta

    Super Easy Creamy Tomato Pasta

    Published: Jan 1, 2021 / Updated: Aug 25, 2023 / 259 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my affiliate disclosure for more details.

    Jump to Recipe

    This creamy tomato pasta recipe comes together quickly and uses everyday ingredients. You'll love the silky tomato sauce!

    You may also like my Easy Pink Sauce Pasta or Best Penne alla Vodka Recipe.

    creamy tomato pasta in a white bowl

    Why you'll love it

    Making a creamy tomato pasta sauce from scratch with canned tomatoes is simple! The best part is that it can be ready by the time your pasta has cooked. It's perfect for those on-the-go weeknights.

    This sauce uses a can of tomato sauce for liquid, and I also add in some tomato paste to punch up that tomato flavor. Garlic, Italian seasoning, butter, and cream complete it. Add some freshly grated parmesan cheese to take it over the top!

    What you'll need

    • Pasta - you can use whatever pasta you've got on hand. I love penne for this sauce because those little tubes are so nicely coated.
    • Butter - for sautéing
    • Garlic - adds savory goodness
    • Tomato paste - for concentrated tomato flavor
    • Tomato sauce - I've been asked by a few UK readers what to use instead of tomato sauce, and passata would be a good equivalent
    • Heavy cream - to make the sauce luxuriously creamy
    • Italian seasoning - it's a great all-purpose herb blend
    ingredients for creamy tomato pasta in prep bowls

    Helpful tip

    • Canned tomato brands can vary, and some tomatoes are more acidic than others. My favorite brands are Mutti and DeLallo. If you find the sauce is a little bit too tart, you can add a pinch of sugar to balance the flavors/enhance the sweetness of the tomatoes. 

    How to make creamy tomato pasta

    This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

    sauteing onion in a skillet and making sauce for creamy tomato pasta

    Cook the pasta until al dente. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a skillet. Sauté the garlic for a minute. Stir in the tomato paste, tomato sauce, cream, and Italian seasoning until smooth.

    adding penne pasta to a skillet with creamy tomato sauce

    Let the sauce gently bubble until thickened to your liking. Season generously with salt & pepper. Add a pinch of sugar if desired. Toss with the drained pasta, and top with parmesan cheese if using.

    Substitutions and variations

    • I don't recommend subbing the cream for half-and-half or something with less fat. The sauce is likely to curdle due to the acidity of the tomatoes.
    • You could definitely change the herbs up a bit... some dried oregano or basil would work great. You could even add fresh herbs if you happen to have some.
    • You could stir in some spinach or other veggies towards the end of cooking if you want to dress it up a bit.
    creamy tomato pasta in a skillet (tossed with penne)

    What to serve with creamy tomato pasta

    • Pair it with a salad to round out the meal. Try my 10 Minute Caesar Dressing or this homemade Italian Dressing.
    • Go all out and make some Cheesy Garlic Bread to go with it.
    • This sauce will actually work for other things (like over chicken or shrimp, for example), so you could skip the pasta altogether if you want! Or you could add a bit of cooked chicken/shrimp/your protein of choice to the sauce for a more filling meal.

    Leftovers and storage

    • You can keep this sauce in the fridge for a few days, or freeze it for up to 3 months if you've got some left over.
    • I'd re-warm it over a low heat in a saucepan. 

    You may also like...

    • Tomato Spinach Chicken Pasta
    • Creamy Tomato Gnocchi
    • Quick and Easy Garlic Butter Noodles
    • Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta
    • Easy Marinara Sauce
    creamy tomato pasta close-up

    Will you give this creamy tomato pasta a try? Questions? Let me know in the comments below! Tag me #saltandlavender on Instagram if you've made one of my recipes.

    creamy tomato pasta in a white bowl

    Creamy Tomato Pasta

    This creamy tomato pasta recipe comes together quickly and uses everyday ingredients. You'll love the silky tomato sauce! 
    4.90 from 87 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 447 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     

    • 8 ounces uncooked pasta
    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • 2-3 cloves garlic minced
    • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
    • 1 (14 ounce) can tomato sauce
    • 3/4 cup heavy/whipping cream
    • 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • Salt & pepper to taste
    • Freshly grated parmesan cheese for serving, to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Boil a large, salted pot of water for your pasta and cook it al dente according to package instructions.
    • Meanwhile (once the pasta starts to cook), add the butter to a skillet over medium-high heat. Once it melts, add the garlic and sauté for about a minute, stirring constantly.
    • Add in the tomato paste, tomato sauce, cream, and Italian seasoning. Stir until it's nice and smooth. Let the sauce cook for about 5 minutes or until it's thickened to your liking (it should be very gently bubbling, so you may need to turn down the heat).
    • Season the sauce with salt & pepper as needed (I'm pretty generous with both). If the sauce is a little too acidic/tangy for your liking, add in a pinch of sugar.
    • Drain the pasta and toss with the sauce (add a splash of hot pasta water if the sauce gets too thick). Serve immediately with plenty of parmesan cheese over top.

    Notes

    • I don't recommend subbing the cream with something that has a lower fat content as it's likely to curdle due to the acid in the tomatoes.
    • Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 447kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 10gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 76mgSodium: 654mgPotassium: 569mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 1383IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 59mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword creamy tomato pasta, creamy tomato pasta sauce, tomato cream sauce
    Author Natasha Bull
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    1. Michele says

      September 17, 2023 at 7:32 PM

      3 stars
      The sauce to pasta ratio is way off. You need 12 ounces of pasta so it isn't drowning in sauce (and I like sauce). Sugar is a must...otherwise too acidic. Otherwise good.

      Reply
      • Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says

        September 17, 2023 at 7:38 PM

        Haven't heard that one before 🙂 Feel free to add more pasta if you make it again. Yup, you'll see in the "Helpful tip" in the blog post that we discuss sugar.

        Reply
    2. Laura says

      September 9, 2023 at 8:19 PM

      5 stars
      So delicious and easy! I added more garlic than it called for and used half and half instead. I did add some onion powder and oregano alone with dried basil. I love more seasoning. But it can do without too! Fantastic meal!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        September 10, 2023 at 9:30 AM

        So pleased you liked it, Laura!! Yup, it's definitely easy to customize it to your tastes. Thanks for your review! 😀

        Reply
    3. Michelle says

      August 24, 2023 at 10:26 PM

      5 stars
      I love this! I needed something that would be ready quickly for my husband. Fortunately, I found this recipe, and I cannot thank you enough. The only adjustment I made was adding a pinch of Italian Seasoning. Now, I'm off to explore more of your recipes.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        August 25, 2023 at 9:33 AM

        I'm thrilled you guys enjoyed it!! 😀 You're very welcome. Glad you found me, and let me know what else you try, Michelle. XO

        Reply
    4. Kerry says

      August 8, 2023 at 7:15 PM

      5 stars
      Fantastic. Didn’t have tomato sauce but had diced tomatoes and worked wonderfully! Tossed in some frozen meatballs too.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        August 9, 2023 at 10:25 AM

        Wonderful!! 😀

        Reply
        • Rebecca says

          August 17, 2023 at 6:57 PM

          This has become a staple at our house. Everyone loves it. I like mine a little creamier so I at another half cup of heavy cream and some meat, usually grilled chicken. Perfect low cost, easy meal for the family. Thanks!

          Reply
          • Natasha says

            August 17, 2023 at 7:24 PM

            I love that!!

            Reply
    5. Brandy Heckens says

      August 5, 2023 at 2:45 PM

      i loved this recipe! as a teenager who made it, i loved seeing my families reaction to tasting it. i added some cherry tomatoes and basil for a really good taste.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        August 5, 2023 at 3:13 PM

        I love that!! 😀

        Reply
    6. Matteo says

      July 18, 2023 at 7:32 PM

      5 stars
      This has become a staple meal for my girlfriend and I. Absolutely delicious and so so easy! I add 1 shallot, thinly sliced and added before the garlic, which I think adds a nice flavor note.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        July 18, 2023 at 8:04 PM

        I'm thrilled to hear that! Love the shallot idea.

        Reply
    7. Leah says

      July 10, 2023 at 1:08 PM

      Could ground beef be added to this?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        July 10, 2023 at 2:58 PM

        Sure! I think that would be delicious. Let me know how it goes.

        Reply
      • Corinne says

        July 19, 2023 at 4:17 AM

        2 stars
        Honestly, this sauce was way too thick and not creamy enough. It felt like I was eating tomato soup on my pasta.

        Reply
        • Natasha says

          July 19, 2023 at 10:02 AM

          I'm sorry you didn't enjoy it. You may want to add more cream if you decide to give it another go.

          Reply
    8. Kristyn says

      June 19, 2023 at 1:30 PM

      Yum! This is a staple in our house. We sub Silk heavy cream due to sensitive stomachs and it turns out beautifully. Thanks for sharing ☺️

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        June 19, 2023 at 1:33 PM

        Yay! I'm so glad the swap works. Thanks for letting me know!

        Reply
    9. Kelsey says

      June 19, 2023 at 1:00 PM

      5 stars
      This recipe has quickly become a family favorite! So delicious and easy!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        June 19, 2023 at 1:29 PM

        I'm so happy to hear that, Kelsey! Thanks for taking the time to write me a review. 😀

        Reply
    10. Tammy Domingo says

      June 16, 2023 at 8:46 AM

      5 stars
      I made this for my husband (who dose most of the cooking ) and he said that it was the best thing l ever make and we have beem married for 30 yrs .
      Try you'll love it!!!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        June 16, 2023 at 8:50 AM

        Wow that's amazing!! I'm thrilled it was a hit! 😀 Thank you for taking the time to write me a review!

        Reply
    11. Tracy says

      June 15, 2023 at 8:30 AM

      5 stars
      Quick and easy, tastes great too. All the family enjoyed it even the fussy eaters. I did add diced red peppers and topped with cheddar aswell and melted the cheese until golden.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        June 16, 2023 at 8:23 AM

        That makes me so happy!

        Reply
    12. Kim says

      June 12, 2023 at 12:04 PM

      5 stars
      I love easybrecipes but love tomatoes and cheese. Sounds good will try it.

      Reply
      • Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says

        June 13, 2023 at 7:23 AM

        Enjoy!

        Reply
    13. Jamie Pugh says

      May 31, 2023 at 8:42 PM

      5 stars
      I love this recipe! I’ve been using it for months and bringing it to gatherings. I love it and so do my friends and family!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        June 1, 2023 at 11:53 AM

        Fantastic!! 😀 I'm so happy to hear that!! Thanks for coming back and writing me a review... it's much appreciated!

        Reply
    14. Kj says

      May 30, 2023 at 3:09 PM

      5 stars
      Simple and amazing. Super affordable to make as well.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        May 31, 2023 at 11:23 AM

        So happy you liked it! 😀

        Reply
    15. Hiran says

      May 24, 2023 at 2:10 AM

      5 stars
      Easy to make an very tasty

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        May 24, 2023 at 10:10 AM

        Thank you so much!

        Reply
    16. Keri says

      May 22, 2023 at 6:03 PM

      5 stars
      was very quick and tasted great! 🙂

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        May 22, 2023 at 6:09 PM

        Wonderful!! Thank you!

        Reply
    17. Auburn says

      May 13, 2023 at 9:36 PM

      5 stars
      Love this recipe!! I make it all the time and my boyfriend and I both love it. Tonight I forgot the tomato sauce at the store, and wanted to say that if you have tomato soup on hand it works really well as a substitute. It makes it a bit sweeter so if you typically add the sugar I wouldn’t recommend it, but I think it cuts the acidity really nicely anyway!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        May 13, 2023 at 10:56 PM

        I'm so glad you were able to adapt it this time, Auburn! Thanks for your review!

        Reply
    18. Sofia says

      May 12, 2023 at 2:11 PM

      5 stars
      Subbed olive oil for butter and Alpro single soya for the cream and it was delightful even dairy free! Used an extra garlicky tomato sauce as well, would recommend!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        May 12, 2023 at 3:43 PM

        Excellent!! So glad you were able to adapt it, Sofia! Thanks for your review - appreciate it!

        Reply
    19. Esther Flores says

      May 9, 2023 at 6:44 PM

      5 stars
      So I did make the Creamy Tomato Paste. It was easy to prepare. And we both enjoyed it. My husband had three serving. I like to try different recipes and then tweet it. But this recipe was the best. Next time I'll just add chicken or shrimp with spinach. Thank you for sharing your recipe with us. Bon appetit.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        May 9, 2023 at 7:02 PM

        So glad it was a hit! 🙂 You're very welcome, Esther!

        Reply
    20. Dee says

      May 2, 2023 at 2:51 PM

      5 stars
      This was absolutely a delicious meal! Went together fast and the best thing is the hubby ate it and said it was a keeper. This from a man who eats fried food! Definitely will make again and again….

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        May 2, 2023 at 10:50 PM

        That's awesome!! 😀

        Reply
    21. Jean says

      April 14, 2023 at 3:35 PM

      What a great, quick meal! I thoroughly enjoyed it. I did add some red pepper flakes to give it a little kick. A definite keeper!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        April 14, 2023 at 5:36 PM

        So happy you enjoyed it!!

        Reply
    22. Jean says

      April 2, 2023 at 5:53 AM

      5 stars
      Such a simple but so delish recipe! I know you said not to swap with low fat cream but I only had that in my fridge and luckily it worked out just fine! Thanks so much 🙂

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        April 2, 2023 at 9:41 AM

        So happy you enjoyed it, Jean!!

        Reply
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    Hi! I'm Natasha. Salt & Lavender is a recipe blog with a focus on delicious comfort food using everyday ingredients. Beat the weekday grind with hundreds of easy-to-follow and hassle-free recipes!  Read more...

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