One Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion
chopped
- 1 clove garlic
minced
- ⅓ cup sundried tomatoes)
chopped (optional - I love it but my kids refuse to eat it
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 3 cups chicken stock or water
- 1 oz can diced tomatoes
15-oz
- 1 box short pasta shapes
12-oz
- to tastesalt & pepper
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
- ¼ cup cream cheese
OR ricotta, mascarpone... whatever you have on hand! Use more for extra creaminess.
- chopped flat leaf parsley
optional
Directions
- 1
Sauté:Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté the onion, garlic and sun-dried tomatoes until starting to soften, about 2 minutes. Add the tomato paste and Italian seasoning and cook for 1 more minute.
- 2
Add liquids and pasta:Pour the chicken stock into the pan, scraping any browned bits off the bottom of the pot. Add the can of diced tomatoes and pasta and season to taste.
- 3
Cook the pasta:Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until pasta is done, about 10-15 minutes. If the pasta starts looking dry and there doesn't seem to be enough liquid, add a little extra broth during the cooking process.
- 4
Add cheeses:Take the pasta off the heat and stir in the Parmesan and cream cheese. Add parsley if you like. Let the pasta sit and thicken for 3-4 minutes before serving immediately.
One Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta
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About this Recipe
Tired of a sink full of dishes after dinner? Imagine a rich, creamy pasta dish that cooks entirely in one pot, ready to enjoy in just 30 minutes. This One Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta delivers exactly that: authentic flavors with unparalleled ease, making it your new go-to for busy weeknights.
This isn't just a simple weeknight meal; it's a kitchen game-changer that champions efficiency without sacrificing taste. The genius lies in cooking your short pasta shapes directly in the flavorful tomato sauce. This technique not only infuses every spiral or bow tie with deep, savory taste but also releases the pasta's starches, naturally thickening the sauce into a velvety, luxurious consistency. The result is maximum flavor with minimum cleanup.
You're in for a truly comforting and deeply satisfying experience. Each forkful brings together perfectly tender pasta coated in a robust tomato sauce, brightened by diced tomatoes and deeply enhanced by fragrant garlic and classic Italian seasoning. The finish is wonderfully creamy, thanks to the melty combination of Parmesan and a touch of cream cheese, ricotta, or mascarpone, creating an incredibly rich and smooth texture that clings beautifully to the pasta. For those who appreciate an extra layer of sweet and tangy complexity, the optional sundried tomatoes lend a vibrant note that subtly elevates the entire dish.
This One Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta is wonderfully adaptable to your pantry and taste preferences. While chicken stock adds a layer of savory depth, plain water works perfectly fine for cooking the pasta. Don't be shy about adjusting the amount of cream cheese, ricotta, or mascarpone to achieve your desired level of creaminess. If you have family members who are less keen on them, like my kids, you can easily omit the sundried tomatoes without compromising the overall deliciousness. Finish your serving with a sprinkle of fresh chopped flat leaf parsley for a burst of color and fresh herbaceousness, and remember to season with salt and pepper to your taste.
Serve this comforting pasta dish as a complete meal on its own. It’s an ideal choice for busy weeknights when you crave something deeply satisfying and homemade but are short on time, offering a delicious and effortless solution for the whole family to gather around.