When your family can’t decide between classic spaghetti and creamy fettuccine Alfredo, merge the two favorites into one crowd-pleasing dinner: Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce.
This simple, six-ingredient recipe (not counting seasonings) delivers rich, comforting flavor and comes together quickly—perfect for busy weeknights.
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How to make Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce
Start by heating a large pot over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, one diced onion, kosher salt, black pepper, and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.
Sauté for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and translucent. Add 8 cloves of minced garlic and cook for another minute.
Pour in one pint of heavy cream and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally as the cream thickens slightly.
Stir in 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, allowing it to melt into the cream during the last minute of simmering.
Add a 24-ounce jar of marinara sauce and 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning. Bring the sauce back to a gentle bubble, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for another 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
Taste and adjust seasoning with more kosher salt, black pepper, or crushed red pepper flakes if desired.
Meanwhile, cook 1 pound of pasta according to package directions—we used angel hair, but any pasta works. Reserve 1/4 cup of the starchy pasta cooking water before draining.
Add the drained pasta to the sauce along with the reserved pasta water and toss with tongs until the noodles are evenly coated and the sauce clings nicely.
Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce will have you feeling like you are dining in a fancy Italian restaurant 🙂
Serve immediately with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan and a side of crusty bread for dipping. The creamy tomato sauce pairs beautifully with a simple salad and makes an impressive, comforting meal.
This recipe earned rave reviews at our table—kids and adults both asked for it again. It’s an easy, adaptable dish: keep it vegetarian or add cooked sausage, shrimp, or roasted vegetables to suit your taste.
If you like Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce, you might also like these recipes…
Italian Sausage Pasta Sauce
Cheesy Lasagna Sliders
Ricotta Caprese Flatbread Pizzas
Cheesy Baked Spaghetti with Garlic Knots
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Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce
A quick and delicious tomato cream sauce that’s easy to make, versatile, and perfect with any pasta. Keep it vegetarian or add your favorite protein.
Main Course
American, Italian
Cream Sauce, Easy, Meatless, Pasta, tomato, Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion diced
- kosher salt, black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes
- 8 cloves garlic minced
- 1 pint heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 24-ounce jar marinara sauce
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 pound pasta of choice boiled according to package directions
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta cooking water
Instructions
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Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add olive oil, diced onion, kosher salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened.
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Add minced garlic and cook 1 minute. Pour in the heavy cream, bring to a boil, then reduce to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the Parmesan during the last minute.
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Stir in the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Increase heat until the sauce bubbles, then lower to medium-low and simmer another 5 minutes. Adjust seasoning to taste.
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Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta cooking water before draining. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce with the reserved water and toss with tongs until well coated. Serve hot.
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