If you love pasta nights but hate juggling multiple pots, this One Pan Creamy Tomato Pasta will quickly become a favorite. Instead of cooking noodles separately, everything simmers together in one pan — pasta, tomatoes, broth, and cream — creating a sauce that’s rich, velvety, and deeply flavored. It feels like restaurant comfort food, yet it’s simple enough for the busiest weeknight.
This recipe is perfect when you want something warm and satisfying without a sink full of dishes. With pantry staples and just a few fresh ingredients, it transforms everyday pasta into a dish everyone looks forward to.
🗺️ Roadmap: What This Recipe Covers
1️⃣ Why You’ll Love One Pan Creamy Tomato Pasta
Traditional pasta and tomato sauce recipes usually start with boiling water, draining pasta, and then tossing everything together at the end. Here, the pasta cooks directly in the tomato base. That means:
More flavor — noodles absorb the sauce as they cook
Less work — no extra pot or colander
Faster cleanup — just one pan to wash
It also works beautifully with pantry-friendly ingredients, whether you’re using jarred sauce, canned tomatoes, or even pasta with stewed tomatoes from your cupboard. The result is creamy, comforting, and surprisingly elegant.
2️⃣ Ingredients: Simple & Flexible
One reason this dish fits into so many households is how adaptable it is. You’ll need:
Olive oil, onion, and garlic — flavor foundation
Canned crushed tomatoes (or stewed tomatoes)
Broth (vegetable or chicken)
Dry short pasta such as penne, shells, or rotini
Heavy cream or half-and-half
Parmesan cheese
Italian herbs, salt, pepper
Fresh basil for finishing (optional, but delicious)
It’s a perfect way to make recipes that use pasta sauce stretch further, or to create a cozy meal with tomatoes when the fridge is nearly empty.
3️⃣ How to Make It — Step by Step
Start with a large skillet or Dutch oven. Sauté onion in olive oil until soft, then add garlic just long enough to release aroma. Pour in tomatoes, broth, herbs, salt, and pepper, stirring to combine.
Add the dry pasta directly into the pan. As it cooks, the pasta absorbs liquid, thickens the sauce naturally, and pulls in all that tomato flavor. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and to make sure every piece cooks evenly.
When the pasta is just tender, lower the heat and stir in the cream and Parmesan. Instantly, the sauce turns silky — the hallmark of classic creamy pasta with tomatoes — without becoming heavy. Finish with basil, taste for seasoning, and serve.
It’s fast, cozy, and wonderfully satisfying.
4️⃣ How to Serve
This pasta stands beautifully on its own, but a few pairings make it shine:
Crisp side salad with vinaigrette
Garlic bread or warm focaccia
Roasted zucchini, broccoli, or asparagus
If you like heartier meals, add grilled chicken, Italian sausage, shrimp, or white beans. And if you’re in the mood for tomato pasta bake recipes, sprinkle mozzarella over the top and broil briefly until bubbly and golden.
5️⃣ Tips for the Best Results
Watch the liquid: If the pan dries out before the pasta softens, add splashes of broth.
Stir occasionally: Keeps noodles from sticking.
Add cream at the end: It stays smooth and luscious.
Balance acidity: If tomatoes taste sharp, a pinch of sugar rounds them out.
These details take your pasta and tomatoes recipes from good to great.
6️⃣ Easy Variations
This recipe invites creativity:
Fresh tomatoes for a bright pasta with fresh tomato sauce
Spinach or kale stirred in at the end
Chili flakes for gentle heat
Greek yogurt instead of cream for a light tomato pasta sauce
Jarred marinara thinned with broth when you’re short on time
Every version feels slightly different — and all of them are delicious.
7️⃣ FAQs
Can I make it dairy-free?
Yes — skip cream, add coconut milk or cashew cream, and use dairy-free Parmesan.
Will gluten-free pasta work?
It will — just keep extra broth handy because it absorbs liquid more quickly.
How do I store leftovers?
Refrigerate up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of broth or cream.
Final Thoughts
One Pan Creamy Tomato Pasta proves that comfort food doesn’t need complicated steps or long ingredient lists. With everything simmering together in one pan, you get richer flavor, fewer dishes, and a meal that always feels cozy. From simple weeknight dinners to comforting pasta and tomato sauce recipes, this one delivers every time.
One Pan Creamy Tomato Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 can 14–15 oz crushed or stewed tomatoes
- 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth plus extra if needed
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 10 oz short pasta penne, shells, or rotini
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook 3–4 minutes; stir in garlic for 30 seconds.
- Pour in tomatoes, broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring to a steady simmer.
- Stir in dry pasta, making sure it’s mostly submerged. Cook 10–14 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender; add small splashes of broth if pan gets dry.
- Reduce heat and stir in cream and Parmesan until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Taste, adjust seasoning, and finish with basil. Serve hot.
