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A vibrant, richly colored one-pot creamy tomato pasta dish in a skillet.

One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta

This one-pot creamy tomato pasta recipe delivers a delicious and easy weeknight meal with minimal cleanup, featuring tender pasta in a rich, flavorful tomato cream sauce.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Sauce Base
  • 12 ounces short pasta e.g., penne, rigatoni, rotini
  • 1 can crushed tomatoes 28-ounce
  • 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth low-sodium
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • small onion finely diced
  • 2-3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano or 1 tablespoon fresh, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
For Serving
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
  • Fresh basil or parsley chopped (for garnish)

Equipment

  • large pot
  • Dutch oven
  • stirring spoon

Method
 

Prep and Cook Aromatics
  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven, then cook the diced onion until softened.
  2. Stir in minced garlic and red pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
Simmer Sauce
  1. Add crushed tomatoes, broth, oregano, salt, and pepper to the pot and bring to a gentle boil.
Cook Pasta
  1. Add pasta to the pot, ensuring it's submerged, and stir well to prevent sticking.
  2. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and sauce has thickened.
Finish and Serve
  1. Remove from heat, then stir in heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese until creamy.
  2. Taste and adjust seasonings, then garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve immediately with extra Parmesan.

Notes

For a richer flavor, consider using fire-roasted crushed tomatoes. You can also add cooked chicken or sausage for a more substantial meal.