Description
This creamy tomato pasta sauce combines the tangy richness of tomato passata with smooth cream cheese and parmesan for a quick, comforting meal. Ready in just 10 minutes, it’s perfect for a weeknight dinner that feels indulgent yet is simple to prepare. The sauce is enhanced with garlic, onion, and a hint of chili flakes for subtle heat and aroma, making it a delicious twist on classic tomato pasta.
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)
- 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: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente according to the package instructions. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup (240 ml) of the pasta cooking water for the sauce.
- Prepare sauce base: In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter or warm the olive oil. Add the minced garlic, finely diced onion, and chili flakes if using. Sauté for approximately 2 minutes until fragrant and the onion starts to soften.
- Add tomato passata and herbs: Pour in the tomato passata and sprinkle in the dried or fresh basil. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 5 minutes so the flavors meld and the sauce slightly thickens.
- Incorporate cheeses and pasta water: Stir in the cream cheese and grated parmesan, mixing until the cheeses melt smoothly into the sauce. Add the reserved pasta water gradually to loosen the sauce to your desired consistency. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Toss pasta and serve: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss well to coat the noodles evenly with the creamy tomato sauce. Serve immediately topped with extra parmesan cheese and additional black pepper if desired.
Notes
- Use either butter or olive oil depending on preference; butter adds a richer flavor while olive oil keeps it lighter.
- Adjust chili flakes according to desired spice level or omit for a milder sauce.
- Using fresh basil will give a brighter herbal note, whereas dried basil gives a deeper flavor.
- Reserve pasta water is important for adjusting sauce consistency and helping it cling to noodles.
- This sauce is best enjoyed fresh for optimal creaminess and texture.
- Can be made vegetarian by ensuring the parmesan used is free from animal rennet.
