Tomato Pasta Sauce with Cream Cheese
Creamy Tomato Pasta Sauce That’ll Change Your Life!
Okay, so what’s better than a plate of pasta on a lazy night? Seriously. Like, if you’re not shoveling carbs into your face while binge-watching Netflix, are you even living? 😅
Okay, Let’s Talk Ingredients
So, picture this: you’re in the grocery store, and you’ve got your cart ready. We’re grabbing 8 oz of any pasta you fancy—like, elbow macaroni or spaghetti—doesn’t matter! Next, you need some butter or olive oil (which I personally always have because #obsessed). Grab 2 or 3 garlic cloves (fresh, please!) and a brown or white onion.
Oh! And if you wanna spice it up, toss in some chili flakes—optional, but come on, who doesn’t love a little kick? Then, we’re getting ¾ cup of tomato passata (aka fancy tomato puree), dried basil (or fresh if you’re feeling bougie), and ½ cup of cream cheese (I’m team Philadelphia all the way). Some parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper to taste and boom! You’re ready to rock and roll.
So Here’s Why I Make This Constantly
Alright, let me spill the tea. This sauce is my go-to when I’m feeling a little *meh* but don’t wanna spend an hour cooking. Like, the other night, I came home from work, and all I wanted was to curl up and eat my feelings, y’know? So, I whipped this up in like 15 minutes! I threw on a podcast, and before I knew it, my kitchen smelled like a little slice of Italy. I honestly couldn’t believe how easy it was. Plus, my roommate came home and said, “What’s that amazing smell?” and I felt like a culinary genius for a hot sec. 😂
The One Trick That Changes Everything
Okay, listen closely—this is the game-changer: save that pasta water! Seriously, don’t just dump it all down the drain. It’s liquid gold for this sauce. It makes everything creamy and luscious. Trust me—you’ll thank me later when your sauce doesn’t look like a sad puddle.
Don’t Mess This Up (My Top Tips)
1. Don’t overcook the pasta! Al dente is the magic word. Seriously, nobody likes mushy noodles.
2. Stir the sauce like you mean it! When you add the cream cheese, it should melt into the sauce effortlessly. If it’s not mixing well, a splash more pasta water will do the trick.
3. Taste as you go! Adjust that salt and pepper to your liking. I’m a black pepper fiend, so don’t be shy!
How to Keep Them From Disappearing (Or, How to Store Them)
Leftovers? If you somehow have any, pop them in an airtight container and stash in the fridge. It’s good for about 3 days, but honestly, it probably won’t last that long… Just reheat on the stove with a splash of water to loosen it up. Mmm!
If You Liked This, You’ll Probably Like These Too
Okay, if you love this creamy tomato goodness, you’ve gotta try my garlic butter shrimp pasta (seriously, it’s life-changing) or my super cheesy baked ziti—like, you won’t regret it!
So, are you ready to make this tonight? Or do you have a pasta dilemma I can help with? Let’s chat! 🍝💬
Tomato Pasta Sauce with Cream Cheese
Indulge in the creamy goodness of this Tomato Pasta Sauce with Cream Cheese, a comforting dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners. Ready in just 15 minutes, this easy recipe combines fresh ingredients and rich flavors, making it a family favorite. With a luscious tomato base and the smooth texture of cream cheese, every bite is pure bliss. Serve it alongside your favorite pasta for a satisfying meal that can be whipped up in no time!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 8 oz (225 g) pasta (long or short)
- 1 tbsp butter or olive oil
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ brown or white onion, finely diced
- ¼ tsp chili flakes (optional)
- ¾ cup (200 ml) tomato passata
- 1 tsp dried basil (or 1 tbsp fresh basil)
- ½ cup (120 g) cream cheese
- ¼ cup (60 ml) reserved pasta water
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente; reserve about 1 cup of cooking water before draining.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add garlic and onion; sauté for about 2 minutes.
- Stir in tomato passata and dried basil; lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Mix in cream cheese, parmesan cheese, and ¼ cup reserved pasta water until well combined. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Add drained pasta to the skillet; toss to coat evenly.
- Serve immediately with extra parmesan if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 371
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 638 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 51 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 39 mg
