15-Minute Pasta with Creamy Tomato Sauce
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Are you craving a tasty pasta dish but short on time? This 15-minute pasta with creamy tomato sauce is perfect for you! It’s quick, easy, and packed with flavor. You only need a few simple ingredients like pasta, onion, garlic, tomato paste, and cream.
You can whip up this delicious meal in just 15 minutes from start to finish. While your pasta cooks, you’ll make a rich sauce by sautéing onions and garlic, then adding tomato paste, pasta water, and cream. Toss it all together with some herbs and cheese for a satisfying dinner that’s faster than takeout.
Exact Ingredients List
Here’s what you’ll need to make this quick and tasty pasta dish:
• 1 pound rigatoni or penne pasta
• 1/2 yellow onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 6 ounces canned tomato paste
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
• 1 tablespoon dried basil (or 3 tablespoons fresh)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional topping)
Make sure you have all these ingredients ready before you start cooking. The sauce comes together quickly, so it helps to have everything measured and prepped.
Don’t forget to save some pasta water before draining! This starchy liquid helps thin the sauce and make it silky smooth.
You can swap the cream for half-and-half or milk with a bit of butter if needed. The Parmesan is optional but adds a nice salty finish to the dish.
Instructions
You’ll love how quickly this creamy tomato pasta comes together! Start by boiling water for the pasta. While it cooks, gather your sauce ingredients.
Dice an onion and mince some garlic. Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook the onions until see-through. Add the garlic and let it warm up for a minute.
Stir in tomato paste, then add reserved pasta water to thin it out. Pour in the cream and mix well. Season with salt, pepper, and basil.
Toss your cooked pasta into the sauce, making sure it’s well coated. Give it a taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve your pasta hot, topped with grated Parmesan if you like. In just 15 minutes, you’ve made a delicious meal that tastes like it took much longer!
Remember to save some pasta water before draining – it’s key for getting the right sauce consistency. Don’t worry if you don’t have cream – half-and-half or milk with a bit of butter works too.
Possible Substitutes List & Recipe Variations
You can easily change up this creamy tomato pasta recipe. Try these tasty swaps and additions:
Pasta options:
- Spaghetti
- Farfalle (bow-tie)
- Penne
- Gluten-free pasta
Cream substitutes:
- Half-and-half
- Milk + 2 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup cream cheese + extra pasta water
Veggie add-ins:
- Spinach
- Mushrooms
- Zucchini
- Bell peppers
For extra protein, toss in:
- Cooked chicken
- Shrimp
- Canned chickpeas
- Italian sausage
Spice it up with red pepper flakes or use fresh herbs like basil or oregano. You can also add sun-dried tomatoes for deeper flavor.
Want a vegan version? Use plant-based cream and skip the Parmesan. Nutritional yeast makes a good cheese substitute.
Feel free to mix and match these ideas. You’ll create new tasty meals while keeping the 15-minute cooking time.
Tips, Tricks & Storing
Here are some handy tips to make your creamy tomato pasta even better:
• Cook the pasta al dente. It will continue cooking in the sauce.
• Save extra pasta water. You can use it to thin the sauce if needed.
• For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or Italian seasoning.
• Try different pasta shapes like fusilli or farfalle for fun variety.
To store leftovers:
- Let the pasta cool completely
- Put it in an airtight container
- Refrigerate for up to 5 days
When reheating, add a splash of water or milk to loosen the sauce. Warm it gently on the stove or in the microwave.
You can make the sauce ahead of time too. Just refrigerate it separately from the pasta for 3-4 days. Reheat the sauce, cook fresh pasta, and combine when ready to eat.
For a time-saving trick, keep canned tomatoes and cream on hand. You’ll always be ready to whip up this quick meal!