Bright Red Tomato Pasta Recipe: A Zesty Kitchen Symphony

Weeknight dinners demand quick, delicious solutions that pack maximum flavor in minimal time.

This vibrant tomato pasta recipe transforms simple ingredients into a mouthwatering meal that sparks joy at the dinner table.

Fresh tomatoes burst with rich, tangy goodness, creating a sauce that clings perfectly to every strand of pasta.

The combination of aromatic herbs and ripe tomatoes delivers a classic Italian-inspired experience you’ll crave again and again.

Pantry staples come together effortlessly, making this dish a go-to for busy home cooks.

Seasonal ingredients elevate this recipe from ordinary to extraordinary.

Dive into a plate of comfort that promises to satisfy and delight with every delectable bite.

How to Plate Tomato Pasta Well

• Rustic Italian Feast: Pair this creamy tomato pasta with a crisp Caesar salad and warm garlic bread for a complete Mediterranean-inspired meal.
• Protein Power-Up: Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or crispy pancetta on top to transform this pasta into a heartier dinner option that satisfies bigger appetites.
• Wine Lovers' Choice: Select a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or a crisp white like Pinot Grigio to complement the rich, tangy tomato cream sauce and enhance the overall dining experience.
• Veggie Boost: Sprinkle roasted zucchini, sautéed spinach, or grilled bell peppers into the pasta to increase nutritional value and add extra texture and color to the dish.

Tomato Pasta Storage Tips

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Cool the dish completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth and maintain optimal texture.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Revive chilled pasta by adding a splash of water or cream when warming in a skillet. Stir gently over medium-low heat to restore creamy consistency and prevent drying out.
• Freezing Friendly Option: Freeze sauce separately from pasta for best results. Transfer cooled sauce to freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space at top. Keeps well for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Ingredient Freshness Tip: Keep fresh basil leaves wrapped in slightly damp paper towel inside a sealed container. Store in refrigerator's vegetable drawer to extend freshness for 5-7 days, ensuring crisp garnish for your pasta.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 500 kcal

Servings: 4

What’s Needed for Tomato Pasta

• Pasta: Choose a shape that catches sauce well like penne or rigatoni; fresh pasta provides richer texture compared to dried varieties.
• Salt: Enhances pasta's natural flavor and seasons the entire dish during cooking.

• Olive Oil, Butter: Creates rich foundation for sauce; extra virgin olive oil adds delicate fruity undertone.
• Garlic: Provides aromatic depth and classic Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Crushed Tomatoes: Delivers bright, tangy base with natural sweetness and smooth consistency.
• Italian Seasoning: Blends herbs that complement tomato sauce with traditional Mediterranean warmth.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces subtle heat and vibrant kick to elevate sauce complexity.

• Heavy Cream: Transforms sauce into luxurious, silky texture with rich mouthfeel.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds salty, nutty dimension and helps thicken sauce naturally.
• Black Pepper: Provides gentle spiciness and aromatic complexity.
• Fresh Basil: Offers fresh, herbaceous brightness as final garnish.

Tools to Make Tomato Pasta Happen

• Large pot: Essential for boiling pasta with enough space for water and noodles.
• Large skillet: Perfect for creating creamy tomato sauce and mixing pasta.
• Colander: Needed to drain pasta after cooking.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring sauce and mixing pasta.
• Cheese grater: Useful for grating fresh Parmesan cheese.
• Measuring cup: Helps measure pasta water for sauce consistency.
• Cutting board: Use for chopping garlic and basil.
• Chef's knife: Sharp tool for mincing garlic and chopping herbs.

Let’s Cook Tomato Pasta

• Boil Water and Cook Pasta

Get a big pot and fill it with water. Add a pinch of salt. Once the water bubbles wildly, drop in your pasta and cook until it’s perfectly tender. Save some pasta water before draining—this liquid gold will help your sauce later.

• Create Flavor Base

Warm up your skillet with a splash of olive oil. Toss in minced garlic and let it dance around until it smells amazing and turns slightly golden. This is where the magic begins.

• Build the Sauce

Pour in crushed tomatoes and sprinkle in your favorite Italian herbs. If you’re feeling spicy, add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Let everything simmer and mingle, creating a rich, deep flavor.

• Transform Sauce to Creamy Delight

Turn down the heat and pour in heavy cream. Stir until the sauce looks silky and smooth. Grate Parmesan cheese directly into the skillet, stirring until it melts completely. Season with salt and pepper to make the flavors pop.

• Marry Pasta and Sauce

Drop the cooked pasta into the skillet. Gently toss everything together so each noodle gets coated in the luxurious sauce. If it’s too thick, splash in some reserved pasta water to loosen things up.

• Serve and Enjoy

Swirl the pasta onto plates. Shower with extra Parmesan and sprinkle fresh basil on top. Grab a fork and dive in while it’s hot!

Tips & Tricks for Tomato Pasta

• Creamy Rescue Techniques: Add reserved pasta water gradually to thin sauce if it becomes too thick, ensuring perfect consistency every time.
• Quick Dairy-Free Switch: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream for a lactose-free version that maintains rich, smooth texture.
• Protein Power-Up: Easily transform this pasta by adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or crispy tofu for extra protein and hearty meal potential.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust red pepper flakes to match personal heat preference – from mild whisper to fiery kick, making the dish adaptable for all taste buds.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare sauce in advance and store in refrigerator for up to 3 days, reheating gently before combining with freshly cooked pasta for quick weeknight dinners.

Vibrant Tomato Pasta

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4.6 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Creamy tomato pasta brings Italian comfort right to dinner tables. Mediterranean ingredients blend seamlessly for a quick, delicious meal everyone can enjoy. You’ll savor each bite of this simple yet satisfying recipe.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 12 oz (340 g) pasta (spaghetti, penne, or your favorite type)
• 1 can (14 oz/400 g) crushed tomatoes or tomato passata
• ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
• 2 tbsps olive oil or unsalted butter
• ¼ cup (25 g) grated parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning (or a mix of oregano and basil)
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a slight kick)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Boiling Preparation: Heat a large pot of water with salt until vigorously bubbling, then cook pasta to al dente perfection according to package instructions, reserving 1/2 cup starchy pasta water before draining.
2. Sauce Foundation: In a spacious skillet, warm olive oil and sauté minced garlic until fragrant, releasing its intense aroma for two minutes over moderate heat.
3. Tomato Transformation: Pour crushed tomatoes into the skillet, enhancing with Italian seasoning and optional red pepper flakes, allowing the mixture to gently reduce and concentrate flavors for 5-7 minutes.
4. Creamy Elevation: Lower heat and blend heavy cream into the tomato base, stirring until a velvety sauce emerges, then integrate Parmesan cheese, ensuring complete melting and smooth incorporation.
5. Flavor Calibration: Season the sauce with salt and black pepper, fine-tuning to personal taste preferences, creating a balanced and vibrant flavor profile.
6. Pasta Integration: Fold cooked pasta directly into the skillet, thoroughly coating each strand with the luxurious sauce, strategically adding reserved pasta water to achieve an ideal silky consistency.
7. Elegant Presentation: Transfer to serving plates, generously garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves, presenting a restaurant-quality dish that’s ready to be savored immediately.

Notes

• Preserve Pasta Texture: Cook pasta al dente to maintain a slight bite, preventing mushy consistency and ensuring a perfect pasta experience.
• Pasta Water Magic: Reserve starchy pasta water as a secret weapon for adjusting sauce consistency, helping bind sauce to noodles and create a silky, cohesive dish.
• Garlic Technique: Sauté garlic briefly to release flavor without burning, which can introduce bitter undertones and compromise the sauce’s delicate balance.
• Customize Spice Level: Adjust red pepper flakes to personal heat preference, allowing flexibility for those who enjoy mild or more intense flavor profiles.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 500
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 57 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 14 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg