Tomato Cream Sauce
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Never have disappointing after-work/after-school spaghetti and red sauce again! This tomato cream sauce will be (note the confidence) your go-to pasta sauce moving forward. It's a breeze to make and it freezes well so you can pull it out in a flash for a delicious weeknight meal!
Variety is the spice of life, so also try this roasted cherry tomato sauce and carrot pasta sauce!
Pasta with tomato cream sauce is one of those meals that simply makes you happy. The acidity of the tomatoes is balanced perfectly with the heavy cream and parmesan cheese to create a rich and delicious sauce.
Yes, it's easy to pull a jar of store-bought pasta sauce out of the cupboard, but once you make and start freezing containers of this cream sauce you may never go back!
And if you love creamy sauces, make sure to also try our romesco sauce!
Ingredients to make the best tomato cream sauce
The ingredients in this sauce are humble and hearty. You can use whatever kind of pasta you like, and if you'd like to add your family's meat of choice (think cooked chicken, shrimp, or sausage) or lentils for added protein, you absolutely can! Here's what you'll need:
- Butter & olive oil: you'll melt these together in a medium-sized pot before adding the other ingredients to set the stage for all the flavors you're about to layer in.
- Onion & garlic: possibly the best combination in the world, add finely minced onion and garlic as a base for the sauce.
- Herbs and seasoning: You will need Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper for this cream sauce.
- Crushed tomatoes: Use a large can of crushed tomatoes for this recipe. You can also use passata, however it's not recommended to use diced tomatoes as you won't get the same smooth consistency for the pasta sauce.
- Heavy cream: Here comes the fun part! Using heavy cream will make this a rich, velvety sauce.
- Parmesan cheese: for this recipe you will need Ā½ cup + plus extra for serving. Adding some cheese right into the tomato cream sauce will take your dish from good to great!
- Cooked pasta: Totally up to you which type of pasta you use, however, spaghetti, rotini, penne, or rigatoni would be nice.
- Fresh basil: this is optional to serve some fresh basil on top. It's a nice touch, plus it adds brightness and a fresh element to your pasta. Freshly ground black pepper or red pepper flakes would also be a nice topper if you'd like to add some heat.
How to make tomato cream sauce
Some of the most simple things are the most wonderful and this creamy tomato pasta sauce is one of those things! Here's how to pull it together:
- Add the onion, garlic, and seasonings: Melt the butter and olive oil and then add the onion. Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper and saute for 2 more minutes.
- Tomato time: Add the tomatoes and cream to the pot and bring it to a simmer. Continue to simmer for 20 minutes to thicken the sauce. Stir in the parmesan cheese and season the sauce.
- OPTIONAL STEP: for a silky smooth sauce, blend the sauce using an immersion blender.
- Serve & enjoy: Toss the tomato cream sauce over your pasta of choice, sprinkle some extra parmesan cheese and fresh basil over it, and away you go!
Watch us make tomato cream sauce!
What to serve alongside pasta with tomato cream sauce
One of the beautiful things about this tomato cream sauce is that it's hearty enough to use for other dishes, like pouring over chicken, adding to gnocchi, or having it with shrimp. Gotta love that versatility!
If you're serving pasta with tomato cream sauce for dinner, however, here are some ideas of what you can serve with it:
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this tomato cream sauce dairy-free or vegan?
You sure can! One substitute is to use coconut milk and vegan parmesan, but it will change the flavor significantly. Alternatively, you can follow this dairy-free tomato cream sauce recipe that uses cashews to achieve the creaminess in the sauce and mimics the flavor of a traditional tomato cream sauce well.
Can I add sour cream to tomato sauce?
You can use sour cream, as it will provide the richness from the fat, just as heavy cream will. Note that it will give a slightly tangier taste to the sauce.
Can I freeze tomato cream sauce?
You sure can! Freeze it in an airtight container for 4-6 months. When you're ready to serve it, reheat using gentle heat until completely thawed and warmed through.
More easy pasta recipes
Tomato Cream Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion (finely minced)
- 3 cloves garlic (finely minced)
- Ā½ teaspoon EACH: Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper
- 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Ā½ cup parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving)
- Cooked pasta and fresh basil (to serve)
Instructions
- Melt the butter and olive oil in a medium-sized pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until it turns translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper and saute for 2 more minutes.2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 medium onion, Ā½ teaspoon EACH: Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, 3 cloves garlic
- Add the tomatoes and cream to the pot and bring it to a simmer. Continue to simmer for 20 minutes to thicken the sauce, covering the pot halfway with a lid if needed to prevent splatters. Stir in the parmesan cheese and season the sauce with extra salt and pepper, if needed.28 ounce can crushed tomatoes, 1 cup heavy cream, Ā½ cup parmesan cheese
- OPTIONAL STEP: for a silky smooth sauce, blend the sauce using an immersion blender.
- Serve the sauce over your choice of pasta with extra parmesan and a little fresh basil on top.Cooked pasta and fresh basil
Video
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
For more inspiration, check out all of our pasta recipes!
