Creamy Tomato Pasta Sauce with Cream Cheese Recipe
This creamy tomato pasta sauce with cream cheese is a quick and delicious way to elevate your pasta dishes. Combining the tangy flavor of tomato passata with smooth cream cheese and Parmesan creates a rich, velvety sauce that coats your pasta perfectly. Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe is ideal for a comforting weeknight meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
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 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
- 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
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper, plus more to serve
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente according to the package instructions. A couple of minutes before draining, scoop out approximately 1 cup of pasta cooking water and set aside for the sauce.
- Sauté Aromatics: While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, diced onion, and chili flakes (if using). Cook gently for about 2 minutes until fragrant and softened.
- Add Tomato Passata and Basil: Pour in the tomato passata and add the dried or fresh basil. Stir well, then lower the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Add Cream Cheese and Parmesan: Stir in the cream cheese and freshly grated parmesan. Add ¼ cup of the reserved pasta water and mix until the sauce is well combined, creamy, and emulsified. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your preference.
- Toss Pasta in Sauce: Drain the pasta and add it directly to the skillet with the sauce. Toss the pasta thoroughly to coat it evenly, about 10 seconds.
- Serve: Turn off the heat and serve immediately. Garnish with extra freshly grated parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy your creamy tomato pasta!
Notes
- Use pasta water reserved from cooking to help emulsify and thin the sauce for a perfect creamy consistency.
- Adjust chili flakes according to spice preference or omit for a milder sauce.
- Fresh basil can be used instead of dried for a more fragrant, fresh flavor.
- Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor; the sauce thickens upon standing.
Keywords: Tomato pasta sauce, cream cheese pasta sauce, creamy tomato sauce, easy pasta sauce, weeknight dinner, Italian pasta sauce
