
Why Make This Recipe
One Pan Creamy Tomato Pasta is a fantastic dish for busy nights. It’s simple, quick to prepare, and requires only one pan, which makes cleanup a breeze. With rich flavors and creamy textures, this pasta is both satisfying and delicious. It's also a great way to enjoy fresh ingredients, and it can be made in under 30 minutes!
How to Make One Pan Creamy Tomato Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Directions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the olive oil to the skillet and let it heat for about a minute.
- Once the oil is hot, add the chopped onion to the skillet.
- Cook the onion, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, or until it becomes soft and translucent.
- Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1 more minute, making sure it doesn't burn.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes, including the juice from the can, and stir to combine.
- Sprinkle in the dried basil, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes, stirring again.
- Season the mixture with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Add the vegetable broth to the skillet and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Once simmering, add the pasta to the skillet, stirring to ensure it is evenly submerged.
- Cover the skillet with a lid and let the pasta cook for about 10-12 minutes, or until it is al dente.
- Check the pasta occasionally, stirring to prevent it from sticking, and adjust the heat if necessary to maintain a simmer.
- When the pasta is cooked, stir in the heavy cream and let it simmer for another 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Once the sauce has thickened, remove the skillet from the heat.
- Sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until it is fully melted and incorporated into the sauce.
- Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with more salt or black pepper if needed.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.
- Serve the creamy tomato pasta hot, enjoying the rich and flavorful dish.
How to Serve One Pan Creamy Tomato Pasta
Serve One Pan Creamy Tomato Pasta hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves. It pairs well with a side salad or some crusty bread for a complete meal. You can also sprinkle more Parmesan cheese on top for extra flavor!
How to Store One Pan Creamy Tomato Pasta
Store any leftover pasta in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep well for up to 3 days. To reheat, add a splash of milk or broth to the pan to loosen the sauce and warm gently over medium heat.
Tips to Make One Pan Creamy Tomato Pasta
- Use any type of pasta you like; whole wheat or gluten-free options work great too.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes according to your spice preference.
- For extra veggies, you can add spinach or bell peppers while cooking the onions.
Variation
You can easily modify this recipe by adding vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini for more nutrition. Adding cooked protein, such as chicken or shrimp, is also a great option for a fuller meal.
FAQs
Can I use different types of pasta?
Yes, you can use any pasta you prefer. Just adjust the cooking time as needed.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the heavy cream with coconut milk or a dairy-free cream alternative, and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese.
How spicy is this dish?
The level of spice can vary depending on how much red pepper flakes you add. If you prefer it mild, you can reduce or omit the red pepper flakes.

One Pan Creamy Tomato Pasta
Ingredients
Method
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the olive oil to the skillet and let it heat for about a minute.
- Once the oil is hot, add the chopped onion to the skillet.
- Cook the onion, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, or until it becomes soft and translucent.
- Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1 more minute, making sure it doesn't burn.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes, including the juice from the can, and stir to combine.
- Sprinkle in the dried basil, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes, stirring again.
- Season the mixture with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Add the vegetable broth to the skillet and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Once simmering, add the pasta to the skillet, stirring to ensure it is evenly submerged.
- Cover the skillet with a lid and let the pasta cook for about 10-12 minutes, or until it is al dente.
- Check the pasta occasionally, stirring to prevent it from sticking, and adjust the heat if necessary to maintain a simmer.
- When the pasta is cooked, stir in the heavy cream and let it simmer for another 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Once the sauce has thickened, remove the skillet from the heat.
- Sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until it is fully melted and incorporated into the sauce.
- Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with more salt or black pepper if needed.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.
- Serve the creamy tomato pasta hot, enjoying the rich and flavorful dish.
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