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Creamy Tomato Pasta Easy Dinner Recipes

Creamy tomato pasta hits that sweet spot between cozy comfort and sheer simplicity. The sauce clings to the noodles like a hug you didn’t know you needed, rich and tangy with just enough cream to feel a little indulgent. No marathon cooking session required, no complicated steps to decode — just you, a few pantry staples, and a craving waiting to be satisfied. If you're anything like me, pasta night happens more often than not because it's predictable in the best way possible. This creamy tomato pasta wraps up a long day with a saucy finish that's impossible to resist. It’s the answer when dinner sneaks up on you and takeout sounds like a trap. Minimal prep, maximum reward. That's the real beauty here. We'll boil, we’ll stir, we’ll swoon — no stress, no drama, just pure pasta joy.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Dinners
Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: creamy tomato pasta, easy dinner recipes, easy pasta recipes, easy recipes, one pot pasta, quick dinner ideas, simple pasta dishes
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Elena

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 400g (about 14 oz) canned chopped tomatoes
  • 150ml (about ⅔ cup) double cream (heavy cream)
  • 300g (about 10 oz) pasta (penne or rigatoni work great)
  • 50g (about ½ cup) grated parmesan cheese
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a big pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions. Save about a cup of the pasta water before draining.
  2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté for about a minute until it smells amazing — don't let it brown.
  3. Pour in the chopped tomatoes and let them simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Stir in the cream and let everything bubble together for another 3-4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. Toss the drained pasta into the sauce, adding a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen if needed.
  6. Sprinkle with parmesan, toss again, and serve immediately topped with fresh basil if you have it on hand.