Creamy Tomato Pasta: Quick Comfort Food With Parmesan
This super easy creamy tomato pasta is a 20-minute meal made with garlic, tomatoes, cream, and Parmesan — rich, comforting, and perfect for busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz pasta (penne, fusilli, or spaghetti)
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
- ½ cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Optional: red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, fresh basil
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup water, then drain.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil. Sauté garlic for 30–60 seconds.
- Add tomatoes, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning. Simmer 3–4 minutes.
- Stir in cream and Parmesan. Simmer 2–3 minutes more until creamy.
- Toss cooked pasta with the sauce. Add pasta water as needed.
- Serve warm with extra cheese and herbs.
Notes
- Add chicken or spinach to make it a full meal.
- Use half-and-half for a lighter version.
- Keeps in fridge for up to 3 days.