When the clock’s ticking and your stomach’s growling, this creamy tomato one pot pasta swoops in like a hero. I’ve made it more times than I can count, and every time, the kitchen smells like someone really knows what they’re doing. This dish is silky, hearty, and somehow both rich and light at once. We’re talking a creamy tomato sauce that clings lovingly to each bite of pasta, made in one pot—yes, just one. No draining, no fuss, no mountain of dishes glaring at you afterward. Just a simple, satisfying bowl that feels like a warm hug after a long day. Whether you’re a die-hard tomato pasta fan or just want to shake things up with an easy vegan pasta recipe, this one hits all the right notes. It’s the kind of meal that finds its way into your regular rotation without even trying. If you’re into creamy pasta recipes, food recipes pasta-style, or searching for solid one pot pasta meals, give this one a go. You’ll thank yourself later.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Creamy Tomato One Pot Pasta Recipe
3) Ingredients for Creamy Tomato One Pot Pasta
4) How to Make Creamy Tomato One Pot Pasta
5) Tips for Making Creamy Tomato One Pot Pasta
6) Making Creamy Tomato One Pot Pasta Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Creamy Tomato One Pot Pasta
8) Try these Main Course recipes next!
9) Creamy Tomato One Pot Pasta
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This one pot pasta is cooked start to finish in a single pan
The creamy tomato sauce uses simple pantry ingredients
It’s vegan-friendly and ready in about 20 minutes
Perfect for busy weeknights or when you just want comfort food fast

2) Easy Creamy Tomato One Pot Pasta Recipe

If you’ve ever stood in front of the fridge after a long day and thought, “Nope, not today,” then this recipe has your back. This creamy tomato one pot pasta is the kind of meal you can start and finish before your takeout app even loads. It’s quick. It’s rich. It checks all the boxes.

I started making this on lazy Sundays and now it shows up even on my busiest weeknights. One pot pasta recipes have saved dinner at my house more times than I can count. I like knowing I’m just one pan away from something warm, filling, and actually enjoyable.

Using ingredients you probably already have like pasta, garlic, broth, and canned tomatoes, you create this cozy dish with minimal cleanup. That’s the beauty of one pot pasta meals—you just throw it all in, simmer, stir, and eat. And yes, the flavor payoff is worth every swirl of the spoon.

3) Ingredients for Creamy Tomato One Pot Pasta

Pasta: I usually reach for penne or rotini since they hold the sauce like champs. But really, use what you’ve got. Just check the box for cooking time so it doesn’t go mushy on you.

Marinara Sauce: This adds depth and that cooked-all-day taste. If you’ve got homemade, awesome. If not, a good jar will do fine.

Diced Tomatoes: Use the juice, too. It’s all flavor. I like the ones with garlic and basil already mixed in, but plain works well too.

Garlic: Three cloves, minced. Don’t skip it. It lifts the whole dish.

Dried Oregano: This little herb helps round things out and plays well with the tomato base.

Red Pepper Flakes: Just a pinch wakes everything up. I sometimes double it if I’m craving a little heat.

Salt and Pepper: Basic? Yes. Boring? Never. Add gradually and taste as you go.

Olive Oil: This gives the sauce a smooth base and helps the garlic bloom right at the start.

Vegetable Broth: It cooks the pasta and builds the flavor all at once. You can use water, but broth adds more body.

Coconut Milk: This brings the creaminess. You won’t taste the coconut, but you’ll get that luscious texture that makes creamy pasta recipes so comforting.

Spinach or Kale: Optional, but it makes you feel like you did something good today. I toss in a handful near the end.

Fresh Basil or Parsley: Totally optional. But a sprinkle at the end makes it feel like a finished dish. I’m team basil, but both work.

4) How to Make Creamy Tomato One Pot Pasta

Step 1. Grab a big pot. Bigger than you think you’ll need. Add your pasta, marinara, tomatoes, garlic, spices, olive oil, and broth. Don’t stir just yet.

Step 2. Turn the heat up to medium-high and let it come to a low boil. Once it’s bubbling, give it a good stir to mix everything.

Step 3. Drop the heat to medium-low and simmer. Stir every few minutes so nothing sticks. You’ll see the sauce thicken and the pasta soften.

Step 4. Around the 10 minute mark, check the pasta. If it needs more time, let it go a few minutes longer. If you’re adding spinach or kale, toss it in now.

Step 5. When the pasta’s done, stir in the coconut milk. Let it simmer for a minute or two more, just until it’s creamy.

Step 6. Taste and adjust. Maybe a bit more salt? Maybe another sprinkle of red pepper? Go with your gut.

5) Tips for Making Creamy Tomato One Pot Pasta

Don’t overcook the pasta. Keep it al dente so it holds together even after it sits for a bit. It should still have a little bite when you turn off the heat.

Add the greens last. Toss them in when everything else is almost done. They’ll wilt just enough to blend in without turning to mush.

Stir often. That keeps things from sticking to the bottom and helps the pasta cook evenly. A few quick stirs every couple minutes is all it takes.

6) Making Creamy Tomato One Pot Pasta Ahead of Time

I’ve made this ahead of time more than once. It holds up well and the flavors deepen as it rests. If you’re planning to reheat, undercook the pasta just slightly the first time around. That way, it doesn’t turn soft later.

Store it in a sealed container in the fridge. It reheats best on the stovetop with a splash of broth or water to loosen it up. If you’re short on time, the microwave works too.

Honestly, one pot pasta recipes like this are even better the next day. I’ve packed it for lunch and felt downright smug about it at noon.

7) Storing Leftover Creamy Tomato One Pot Pasta

Let it cool before you store it. That helps with texture and keeps condensation from making things soggy. Transfer to an airtight container and pop it in the fridge.

It’ll keep for about four days. Maybe five if you live on the edge. I usually reheat small portions on the stove with a tiny splash of water or broth.

Oh and if it thickens too much in the fridge? Just stir in a bit more coconut milk when you warm it up. Creamy pasta recipes are forgiving like that.

8) Try these Main Course recipes next!

9) Creamy Tomato One Pot Pasta