You know those nights, right? The ones where your stomach is growling, the fridge looks a little sad, and the thought of chopping a mile-long ingredient list feels like climbing Mount Everest. That’s exactly when my go-to Pasta Recipes: Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta Without The Fuss comes to the rescue! I remember one evening, totally wiped out after a long day, and staring at barely anything in the pantry. But with pasta, some canned tomatoes, a splash of cream, and a little bit of basil, I whipped up this incredibly comforting bowl of goodness. It’s proof that you don’t need a chef’s hat or a grocery store run to make something seriously delicious and satisfying, and it’s become my absolute weeknight lifesaver!
Why You’ll Love This Pasta Recipes: Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta Without The Fuss
Seriously, this pasta is a weeknight dream come true! Here’s why you’ll be making it again and again:
- Super Quick: Ready in about 30 minutes, start to finish!
- Minimal Chopping: We’re talking just one small onion and a couple of garlic cloves. Easy peasy!
- Simple Ingredients: Most of what you need is probably already in your pantry.
- Oh-So Creamy & Flavorful: Rich tomato sauce kissed with cream and basil – pure comfort.
- Easy Cleanup: Fewer dishes mean more relaxing, always a win!
Gather Your Simple Ingredients for Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta
Okay, truth be told, the beauty of this creamy tomato basil pasta is how darn simple the ingredients are! You likely have half of this stuff hiding in your pantry right now. It’s all about bringing together a few key players to create something magical without a fuss. Let’s get our ingredients ready!
For the Pasta
You’ll need:
- 500 grams pasta (whatever shape you love feels right on that day!)
For the Creamy Tomato Sauce
This is where the magic happens! You’ll need:
- 3 Tablespoons (45 millilitres) olive oil
- ½ red onion, finely diced (don’t worry, it cooks down beautifully!)
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed (or minced, if you prefer!)
- 1 cup (120 millilitres) tomato purée (just plain strained tomatoes are perfect)
- 2 teaspoons chilli flakes (optional, but they add a lovely little kick! Start with less if you’re sensitive to heat, maybe 0-2 teaspoons works for you)
- 1 cup cream (use heavy cream for the richest result, but half-and-half works in a pinch!)
- 1 Tablespoon Butter
- 50 grams parmesan cheese, grated (freshly grated is always best!)
How to Prepare Your Fuss-Free Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta
Alright, let’s get this amazing pasta cooking! The beauty of this recipe is how it all comes together so quickly, meaning you spend less time fussing in the kitchen and more time just enjoying a delicious meal. Trust me, the minimal chopping is a total game-changer!
Start the Pasta Water
First things first, get a nice big pot of water on the stove for your pasta. Make sure you salt it well – this is your first chance to season the pasta itself! While that’s coming up to a boil, you can get started on the sauce. It’s all about multitasking here!
Sauté Aromatics
Grab your large skillet – you want one big enough to hold all the pasta later, which makes cleanup a breeze later on. Drizzle in your olive oil and heat it over a medium-low flame. Pop in your finely diced red onion and those crushed garlic cloves. You just want to soften them up until the onions are see-through and smell amazing, about 3-5 minutes. No need to brown them!
Reduce the Tomato Purée
Now, pour in that tomato purée. Turn the heat up a bit so the sauce starts bubbling gently – you want it to reduce and concentrate its flavor for about 2 to 3 minutes. Give it a good stir now and then. If you’re using those chili flakes for a little warmth, toss them in for the last minute of this step. It just lets them bloom and get fragrant.
Incorporate Cream for a Creamy Sauce
Time for the real creaminess! Stir in the cream and then dial the heat back down to a gentle simmer for about 5 minutes. You’re looking for the sauce to thicken just a touch, bringing that beautiful pinkish-orange color as the tomato and cream become one happy family. This is where the magic really starts to happen, giving you that restaurant-quality texture without any hard work.
Finish the Sauce
Turn off the heat completely! Add your tablespoon of butter and all that lovely grated parmesan cheese. Stir it all around until the butter melts and the cheese is completely incorporated. It makes the sauce extra silky and adds a fantastic savory depth.
Combine Pasta and Sauce
By now, your pasta should be perfectly al dente. Drain it, but DON’T forget to save about a quarter of a cup of that starchy pasta water! This stuff is liquid gold for making your sauce cling. Now, add the drained pasta straight into the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together gently. If the sauce looks a bit too thick, add a tablespoon or two of that reserved pasta water at a time until it coats every single noodle beautifully. This is the secret to getting that perfect, luscious consistency.
Tips for Success with Your Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta
Okay, so you’ve got the basic steps down, but here are a few little tricks I’ve picked up that really make this creamy tomato basil pasta sing. First off, use good quality ingredients if you can – it makes a difference! For the tomato purée, just plain, good-quality strained tomatoes work wonderfully. Also, don’t overcook your pasta! It should be just al dente because it’s going to finish cooking in the sauce. And that reserved pasta water? Seriously, it’s your best friend for getting the sauce to that perfect, clingy consistency. A little bit at a time is key!
Ingredient Notes and Simple Substitutions
Sometimes you might be missing an ingredient or just want to switch things up a bit, and that’s totally fine with this super flexible recipe! For the cream, if you don’t have heavy cream on hand, half-and-half will work in a pinch, though it might make the sauce a tad less rich. If you’re aiming for a lighter version, you could try evaporated milk too. And for the pasta? Honestly, use whatever fun shape you have in the cupboard! Penne, rigatoni, farfalle, or even spaghetti all work beautifully to catch that lovely sauce. If you’re curious about other tasty dishes, this Mediterranean Quinoa Power Bowl is another easy win!
Serving Suggestions for Pasta Recipes: Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta
This creamy tomato basil pasta is fantastic all on its own, but if you want to make it a full-on feast, I have a few ideas! A simple side salad with a zesty vinaigrette is always a winner – think mixed greens with a few cherry tomatoes and cucumber. And who can resist a piece of crusty bread to sop up that delicious sauce? If you’re looking to add some protein, some pan-seared chicken breast or even some quick-cooked shrimp tossed in at the end would be absolutely divine.
Frequently Asked Questions About Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta
Got questions about this easy creamy tomato basil pasta? I’ve got you covered! It’s such a simple recipe, but a few things pop up, so let’s tackle them.
Can I make this Pasta Recipes: Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta Without The Fuss vegan?
Oh, absolutely! You can totally make this dish vegan. Just swap out the cream for a good quality full-fat coconut milk or a vegan cooking cream. For the parmesan, you can use nutritional yeast to get that cheesy flavour, or even a store-bought vegan parmesan alternative. It’s still super creamy and delicious, just dairy-free!
What kind of pasta works best for this recipe?
Honestly, the beauty of this recipe is that it’s pretty forgiving with pasta shapes! I personally love using something that has little nooks and crannies to catch all that dreamy sauce. Think penne, rigatoni, fusilli, or even farfalle (bow ties). If you’re craving something longer, spaghetti or fettuccine work great too. Just cook it al dente!
How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Leftovers are the best, right? Store any extra pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to reheat, I find the best way is to gently warm it in a skillet over low heat, maybe with a tiny splash of water or milk if it seems a bit thick. Microwaving works fine too, just stir it halfway through. That bit of reserved pasta water you saved earlier? It’s gold for loosening up leftovers too!
If you have more questions or want to share your experience, don’t hesitate to reach out! You can always find us on our contact page.
Estimated Nutritional Information
Just a heads-up, the nutritional info for this creamy tomato basil pasta can change depending on exactly what you use. But, as a rough idea, one serving usually clocks in around 500-600 calories, with about 25-30g of fat, 15-20g of protein, and 50-60g of carbs. It’s a good ballpark figure to keep in mind!
Share Your Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta Creations!
Alright, fellow pasta lovers! I’d be absolutely thrilled if you gave this easy creamy tomato basil pasta a whirl. Once you make it, please, PLEASE come back and tell me all about it in the comments below! Did you add anything extra? Did it save your weeknight? I love hearing from you and seeing all your wonderful creations. You can even share snaps on social media and tag me – it makes my day! You can also check out my latest posts for more easy recipes!
Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta Without The Fuss
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Put a pot of salted water on to boil, and cook your pasta as per the packet instructions. While the water is heating and then the pasta is cooking you can prepare your creamy tomato sauce.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet or frying pan at a medium-low heat. Use a pan that is big enough to eventually hold all the cooked pasta as well as the sauce.
- Sauté the onion and garlic until the onions are translucent and flavorful.
- Add the tomato purée, then increase the cooking temperature so that the tomato sauce is bubbling and reducing for 2-3 minutes. Stir the sauce often.
- If you are using chilli flakes, add them for the last minute of the tomato sauce reduction.
- Add the cream, then reduce the temperature to a gentle simmer for approximately 5 minutes. You want the cream and tomatoes to combine into one sauce.
- Stir through the butter and parmesan cheese.
- Drain your pasta, reserving ¼ cup of the pasta cooking water.
- Turn off the heat on your sauce. Add the cooked pasta to the creamy tomato sauce. Toss the pasta through the sauce, adding the reserved pasta water one to two tablespoons at a time until the sauce coats the pasta.
- Enjoy your meal!
Notes
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Zoe Richardson is a highly regarded home-cooking educator who has built her reputation on making delicious, confidence-boosting recipes for modern home cooks. With years of experience in recipe testing, kitchen creativity, and food content development, Zoe is known for her ability to simplify technique without sacrificing flavor. Her work blends culinary knowledge with warm, step-by-step instruction, helping readers create memorable meals with ease. Today, she serves as a core contributor at chomzi.com, where she develops flavorful, practical, and well-tested recipes for everyday kitchens.
Zoe’s culinary career began in small boutique cafés and bakery kitchens, where she first honed her skills in flavor pairing, scratch cooking, and seasonal recipe development. Driven by a passion for teaching and storytelling, she later transitioned from professional kitchens into food media and digital recipe creation, writing educational cooking content for online publications and developing recipes for lifestyle brands. This career shift allowed her to reach home cooks around the world helping them cook with more confidence, more creativity, and more joy.
Over the years, Zoe has partnered with kitchenware brands, local farms, and cooking educators to produce digital cooking guides, recipe collections, and instructional content. Her work has been featured in online recipe roundups and shared across cooking communities for its clarity, reliability, and flavor-forward approach. Zoe is recognized for her expertise in building recipes that work the first time, balancing approachability with culinary technique to support cooks at every level.
