Why You’ll Love Easy One Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta Recipe
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It’s all made in one pot, which means minimal cleanup.
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Ready in under 30 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights.
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Uses simple, affordable ingredients you probably already have on hand.
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Creamy, rich, and full of flavor with just the right amount of tang from the tomatoes.
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Easily customizable with your favorite veggies or proteins.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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Pasta (penne, rotini, or your favorite short pasta)
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Olive oil
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Garlic
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Onion
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Crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
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Vegetable broth or water
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Heavy cream or half-and-half
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Parmesan cheese
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Salt and pepper
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Italian seasoning
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Fresh basil (optional for garnish)
Directions
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In a large pot or deep skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion until soft and translucent, about 3–4 minutes.
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Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
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Pour in crushed tomatoes and vegetable broth. Stir in the uncooked pasta, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
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Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
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Once the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has absorbed, stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese.
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Let the mixture simmer for another 2–3 minutes until creamy and thickened.
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Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
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Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil and extra Parmesan if desired.
Servings and timing
This recipe serves 4 and takes about 25 minutes total—5 minutes for prep and 20 minutes to cook.
Variations
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Add protein: Stir in cooked chicken, sausage, or shrimp at the end for a heartier meal.
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Make it vegan: Use plant-based cream and cheese or omit the dairy entirely and add a splash of coconut milk for creaminess.
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Spice it up: Add red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for heat.
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Extra veggies: Add spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini for added nutrition.
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Cheesy twist: Stir in mozzarella or a blend of Italian cheeses for extra gooeyness.
Storage/Reheating
Let the pasta cool completely before storing. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. To reheat, microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, or warm on the stovetop with a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce. This dish is not ideal for freezing as the cream may separate.
FAQs
How can I prevent the pasta from sticking to the pot?
Stir the pasta frequently while it cooks and make sure there’s enough liquid in the pot to help it move around freely.
Can I use milk instead of heavy cream?
Yes, you can use whole milk or half-and-half for a lighter version, though the sauce may be less creamy.
What type of pasta works best for this recipe?
Short pasta like penne, rotini, or rigatoni works best as it cooks evenly and holds the creamy sauce well.
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
Yes, you can use fresh tomatoes, but you’ll need to cook them down longer to achieve the same consistency and flavor depth.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
It’s not gluten-free by default, but you can substitute with gluten-free pasta to make it suitable.
How do I make this pasta spicy?
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes when you sauté the garlic or stir in a spoonful of chili paste.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes, just make sure your pot is large enough to accommodate the extra ingredients, and you may need to slightly extend the cooking time.
Why is my sauce too thick?
If the sauce thickens too much, simply stir in a little more broth or cream to loosen it.
Why is my pasta undercooked?
Make sure there’s enough liquid in the pot and simmer long enough. If needed, add more broth and continue cooking until the pasta is tender.
Can I freeze the leftovers?
It’s not recommended, as creamy sauces can separate when frozen and reheated.
Conclusion
This Easy One Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta is a delicious, fuss-free dish that’s perfect for any night of the week. With its creamy texture, rich tomato flavor, and endless customization options, it’s sure to become a staple in your kitchen. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or feeding a family, this simple meal is guaranteed to please.
Easy One Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta
This Easy One Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta is a quick, comforting dish made with simple pantry ingredients. Rich, creamy, and ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights and customizable with your favorite veggies or proteins.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 12 oz short pasta (penne, rotini, or rigatoni)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes or 2 cups tomato sauce
- 2 cups vegetable broth or water
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a large pot or deep skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion until soft and translucent, about 3–4 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes and vegetable broth. Stir in the uncooked pasta, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Once the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has absorbed, stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese.
- Let the mixture simmer for another 2–3 minutes until creamy and thickened.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil and extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Add cooked chicken, sausage, or shrimp for more protein.
- Use plant-based cream and cheese to make it vegan.
- Add red pepper flakes or hot sauce for a spicy kick.
- Mix in spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers for extra veggies.
- Stir in mozzarella for an extra cheesy version.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheat with a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce.
- Not suitable for freezing due to the cream-based sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
