Description

This easy one pot creamy tomato pasta is a quick, comforting, and flavorful dish made with pantry staples. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s creamy, cheesy, and perfect for busy weeknights with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil or butter

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 small onion, finely chopped

2 cups vegetable or chicken broth

1 (15 oz / 400g) can crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce

½ cup heavy cream or half-and-half

8 oz (225g) uncooked pasta (penne, rotini, or spaghetti)

½ teaspoon dried basil

½ teaspoon dried oregano

Salt and black pepper, to taste

¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Fresh basil, for garnish

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Instructions

Heat olive oil or butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Stir in the broth, crushed tomatoes, cream, dried basil, oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Mix well.
Add the uncooked pasta to the pot, ensuring it is mostly submerged in the sauce.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened.
Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is creamy. Adjust seasoning as needed.
Garnish with fresh basil and additional cheese if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

Add cooked chicken, shrimp, or sautéed spinach for extra protein or greens.

For added richness, stir in a tablespoon of cream cheese before serving.

To make it vegan, use full-fat coconut milk and replace Parmesan with nutritional yeast.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Reheat with a splash of broth or milk on the stovetop or microwave.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: One Pot
Cuisine: Italian-Inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 420
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 680mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 50g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 13g
Cholesterol: 35mg