Creamy Cherry Tomato Pasta – Quick 20-Minute Dinner
This quick and easy Creamy Cherry Tomato Pasta is packed with garlic, Parmesan, and fresh tomatoes — a perfect 20-minute comfort dinner.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz pasta (spaghetti, linguine, penne)
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup heavy cream (or ⅓ cup half-and-half)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
- Reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water.
- Sauté tomatoes in olive oil until blistered. Add garlic and cook 1–2 minutes.
- Stir in cream, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and optional chili flakes. Simmer gently.
- Add pasta and pasta water. Toss until creamy and coated.
- Top with herbs and serve hot.
Notes
Add spinach or grilled shrimp for variation. Use dairy-free alternatives for a vegan version.