One Pan Creamy Tomato Pasta

Introduction

One Pan Creamy Tomato Pasta is a dream come true for anyone seeking a quick, comforting meal with minimal cleanup. Imagine tender pasta cooked in a silky, garlicky tomato sauce—rich and creamy in flavor—all made in a single pan. It’s a foolproof weeknight staple that pleases picky eaters and pasta aficionados alike, making it perfect for busy families or effortless entertaining.

Deliciously Unique One Pan Creamy Tomato Pasta

What sets this pasta apart is the simplicity of cooking everything together—the pasta absorbs all the savory, tangy tomato goodness while releasing starch that naturally thickens the sauce. Add a splash of cream and a sprinkle of cheese at the end for luscious texture. You won’t believe how much flavor develops from just a few pantry staples and one pan.

Preparing the Creamy Tomato Sauce

Start by sautéing onions and garlic until fragrant, then add canned tomatoes and Italian herbs. As the pasta simmers directly in this rich base, it soaks up layers of flavor. A final pour of cream brings everything together for that classic, crave-worthy creaminess. Let the pasta rest for a couple minutes before serving so the sauce clings luxuriously to every bite.

Assembling This Amazing One Pan Pasta

Simply stir uncooked pasta right into the tomato-forward sauce—no separate pot required! Toss it all gently as it cooks and finish by folding in the cream and grated Parmesan. Top with fresh basil or cracked pepper for a restaurant-quality touch in your own kitchen.

Serving Suggestions for a Show Stopping One Pan Creamy Tomato Pasta

Serve this pasta hot, garnished with extra Parmesan, chopped fresh herbs, or even a drizzle of olive oil. For a well-rounded meal, pair it with a green salad and garlic bread. It’s perfect for meatless Mondays or can be elevated with grilled chicken, shrimp, or roasted veggies mixed right in.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This dish yields about 4 hearty servings. Each serving (without optional protein additions) delivers approximately 400–450 calories, making it a satisfying but balanced option for lunch or dinner.

One Pan Creamy Tomato Pasta (Recap)

The magic of this recipe lies in its one-pan technique and deeply satisfying flavors. With minimal prep, easy cleanup, and plenty of creamy, cheesy tomato goodness, it’s destined to become a staple in your mealtime rotation.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically create a streamlined shopping list with everything you need, organized by grocery aisle. Perfect for busy weeks and stress-free meal planning!

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or sauté pan over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes, until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
3. Add the diced tomatoes (with juices), broth, dry pasta, Italian herbs, salt, pepper, and (if using) red pepper flakes. Stir to combine.
4. Bring everything to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and the liquid is mostly absorbed (about 12–15 minutes).
5. Reduce heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is creamy and pasta is well coated. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
6. Remove from heat and let the pasta stand for 2–3 minutes so the sauce thickens further. Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil and more Parmesan if desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

This One Pan Creamy Tomato Pasta is tailor-made for meal planning. Save and schedule this recipe to fit seamlessly into your week—and let CookifyAI do the work of consolidating ingredient quantities and organizing them by grocery section.

Planning Benefits:

– Automatically totals all ingredients across planned recipes
– Organizes shopping lists by grocery category, making in-store trips foolproof
– Helps you avoid buying duplicates or forgetting essentials
– Streamlines your meal prep, whether you’re cooking for one or a household

Pro tip: Schedule multiple recipes for the week. CookifyAI identifies overlapping ingredients—like garlic, cream, or cheese—so you shop smarter and waste less food.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes