Easy Creamy Tomato Pasta
🍝 Easy Creamy Tomato Pasta – The Weeknight Wonder Your Family Will Beg For! ❤️
This would go so great with a fresh leafy salad and breadsticks. The meal would be complete! Honestly, we had a big bowl of pasta and loved it! It only takes minutes to make and not much cleanup.
You know those nights when you’ve been going a million miles an hour—helping with homework, picking up kids from soccer practice, trying to remember if you switched the laundry over—when suddenly someone asks, “What’s for dinner?” And you realize… oh no. Dinner.
Well my friend, THIS is the recipe you pull out of your back pocket with a smirk, because you know you’re about to look like a rock star without breaking a sweat.
Our Easy Creamy Tomato Pasta is silky, rich, a little tangy, a little sweet, and ready faster than you can scroll through Pinterest looking for “quick weeknight dinner.” It’s so simple, you might think, There’s no way it’s this good. But then you take a bite—ohhh buddy. Instant comfort. It’s like a warm hug for your taste buds.
And here’s the kicker—it’s fancy enough for date night at home, but kid-approved to the max. Yes, you can be that parent who serves a gorgeous pasta dish on a Tuesday night.
✨ Why This Pasta Is Pure Magic
- It’s fast. We’re talking 30-ish minutes from chopping board to table.
- It’s creamy without being heavy. The heavy cream and mozzarella add just the right amount of luxe.
- It’s customizable. Want to add chicken? Shrimp? Spinach? Do it. Want to make it vegetarian? It already is.
- It’s stress-proof. Even if the phone rings, the dog barks, and you’re half-listening to a book report while cooking—it still turns out delicious.
It’s also one of those rare dishes where the leftovers taste just as good the next day (if you even have leftovers).
Easy Creamy Tomato Pasta
INGREDIENTS
- 4 Tablespoons Butter
- 1 whole Medium Onion, Finely Diced
- 4 cloves Garlic, Minced
- 2 cans (15 Oz. Size) Tomato Sauce Or 2-quart bottles of tomatoes- drain the juice
- salt And pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 1/2 cup Grated Mozzarella Cheese
- 1-1/2 pound Fettuccine
👩🍳 Directions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and reserve 1 cup of pasta water—don’t skip this, it’s liquid gold for perfect sauce consistency.
- Make the sauce base: In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onions and garlic, sauté just until fragrant and softened (about 1–2 minutes).
- Tomato time: Stir in tomato sauce, season with salt, pepper, and sugar. Let it simmer on low for 25–30 minutes, giving it the occasional stir.
- Creamy dream: Remove from heat. Stir in heavy cream until the sauce turns a gorgeous blush pink.
- Cheese, please: Add mozzarella and let it melt in. Taste and adjust seasonings.
- Marry the pasta & sauce: Toss the pasta into the sauce, adding reserved pasta water a splash at a time if needed.
- Finish & serve: Stir in chopped basil right before serving. Plate it up with extra basil or parmesan on top for a little flourish.
🔢 Calorie Count (Per Serving)
If this serves 6, you’re looking at about 540–580 calories per plate—that’s with cream, cheese, butter, AND pasta. Worth every creamy, tomato-y bite.
🍳 Cooking Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
- Season in layers: Salt the pasta water generously—like the ocean. Season the sauce before cream, after cream, and right before serving.
- Low and slow: Simmering the tomato sauce for at least 25 minutes helps mellow the acidity and deepen the flavor.
- Pasta water magic: Use it to thin the sauce so it clings to pasta instead of sliding off.
- Fresh basil finale: Don’t cook basil into the sauce for too long—it gets bitter. Stir it in right before serving.
- Make it ahead: You can prep the sauce earlier in the day and just reheat, add cream, and combine with pasta when ready to serve.
🔄 Recipe Variations for Fun & Flavor
| Variation | What to Add/Change | Flavor Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Protein Boost | Add grilled chicken, sautéed shrimp, or crispy bacon. | Hearty & satisfying |
| Veggie Lovers | Stir in spinach, mushrooms, or roasted zucchini before adding pasta. | Fresh & wholesome |
| Spicy Kick | Add red pepper flakes with the garlic. | Fiery & bold |
| Cheesy Overload | Mix in parmesan and top with extra mozzarella before serving. | Rich & indulgent |
| Lightened-Up | Swap heavy cream for half-and-half, and cut butter in half. | Still creamy, fewer calories |
🧒 Kid Tips: Make It a Family Affair
- Little stirrers: Kids can help stir the sauce (with supervision).
- Cheese duty: Hand them the mozzarella and let them sprinkle it in—instant “I made dinner!” pride.
- Pasta pickers: Let them choose the pasta shape. Fettuccine is classic, but penne, bowtie, or even fun-shaped pasta make this dish extra exciting for little ones.
- Name your dish: Have a “pasta naming contest” at the table—“Pink Princess Pasta” or “Noodle Hug” might be the winner.
🛒 Grocery Hacks for Pasta Night
- Bulk buy pasta: Fettuccine, penne, and spaghetti keep forever—stock up when they’re on sale.
- Tomato shortcut: If you can’t find bottled tomatoes, canned crushed tomatoes or even passata work just as well.
- Cheese tip: Buy mozzarella in blocks and grate it yourself—it melts better and costs less.
- Herb storage: Keep basil stems in a glass of water at room temp—it’ll stay perky for days.
- Butter swap: If you’re out, olive oil works too (different flavor, still delicious).
💬 Reader Challenge: #PastaNightParty
Make this pasta, snap a picture, and share it with the hashtag #PastaNightParty. Show us your twist—did you add meatballs? Go veggie? Make it spicy? We’ll feature our favorites on Friday Favorites next week.
🍂 Seasonal Serving Ideas
- Fall: Add roasted butternut squash and sage to the sauce.
- Winter: Pair with garlic bread and a cozy blanket.
- Spring: Toss in peas and asparagus tips for brightness.
- Summer: Add fresh cherry tomatoes and sweet corn right before serving.
💛 Final Thoughts
This Easy Creamy Tomato Pasta is more than a meal—it’s the rescue rope on chaotic days, the cozy centerpiece for Sunday dinners, and the dish that gets your kids excited to come to the table. It’s a little Italian, a little diner comfort, and a lot of love.
It’s also proof that you don’t need a dozen complicated ingredients to make magic happen in a skillet. Just butter, onion, garlic, tomato sauce, cream, cheese, pasta—and you, the magician stirring it together.
🎉 Twirl, Smile, Repeat
So here’s the plan: next time your evening feels like a whirlwind, make this pasta. Twirl it on your fork, scoop up some creamy sauce, take a bite, and let the world slow down just a little.
Share it. Laugh over it. Let someone else do the dishes (that’s my standing rule when I cook dinner). And remember—life’s too short for boring pasta. Tag us on Instagram or leave us a comment below! We love hearing from you!
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Hi, visiting via Tasty Tuesdays! This looks super yummy, pinned too, thanks so much for sharing 🙂
thank you!
This looks so simple and delicious! I know my grandkids would love it, too.
thank you!
This looks like a delicious bowl of pure comfort! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday and hope you are have a great week!
Miz Helen
This looks delicious! What a great idea.
Kathy
thank you! it’s so good!