Description
This creamy tomato pasta sauce recipe combines the rich tang of tomato passata with smooth cream cheese and parmesan for a luscious and comforting dish. Ready in just 10 minutes, it’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal. The sauce is infused with garlic, onion, and subtle chili flakes, creating a flavorful pasta experience that’s easy to prepare and sure to please.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8oz (225 grams) pasta (long or short pasta will work)
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
- 2 or 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ brown or white onion, finely diced
- ¼ teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
- ¾ cup (200 ml) tomato passata (aka tomato puree)
- 1 teaspoon dried basil (or 1 tbsp chopped fresh basil)
Cheese & Seasoning
- ½ cup (120 grams) cream cheese (Philadelphia recommended)
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- ¼ cup (60 ml) reserved pasta water
- ¼ teaspoon fine salt, or to taste
- â…› teaspoon black pepper, plus more to serve
Instructions
- Cook pasta: In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta until al dente, about 8-10 minutes depending on the pasta type. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Prepare sauce: Heat a skillet over medium heat and melt the butter (or warm olive oil). Add minced garlic, finely diced onion, and chili flakes if using. Sauté for about 2 minutes until fragrant and softened.
- Simmer tomato and basil: Pour in the tomato passata and add the dried or fresh basil. Let the sauce simmer gently for about 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Add cheeses and pasta water: Stir in the cream cheese and parmesan cheese until fully incorporated and the sauce is creamy. Add reserved pasta water gradually to loosen the sauce to your preferred consistency. Season the sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Toss the drained pasta directly into the skillet with the sauce. Mix thoroughly to ensure all pasta is evenly coated with the creamy tomato sauce.
- Serve: Plate the pasta immediately and garnish with additional parmesan cheese and black pepper if desired. Serve warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Using reserved pasta water helps to achieve a smooth and silky sauce by adjusting the consistency.
- Chili flakes are optional and can be adjusted to your preferred spice level.
- Fresh basil can be substituted for dried basil if available for a fresher flavor.
- For a lighter option, use olive oil instead of butter.
- This sauce works well with any pasta shape, so choose your favorite type.
- To make this recipe vegetarian, ensure the parmesan cheese is free from animal rennet.
