Description
Whip up this Creamy Tomato One Pot Pasta easily! My family’s favorite, minimal mess, maximum flavor. Perfect for busy weeknights, tried and true.
Ingredients
- Main Ingredients:
- Dried Pasta (penne, rotini, or similar short pasta)
- Canned Crushed Tomatoes (good quality, like San Marzano)
- Vegetable Broth (low sodium)
- Heavy Cream (full-fat)
- Flavor Boosters:
- Yellow Onion (finely diced)
- Garlic Cloves (minced)
- Olive Oil
- Dried Basil
- Dried Oregano
- Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
- Finishing Touches:
- Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated)
- Fresh Basil Leaves (for garnish)
- Seasoning:
- Salt (to taste)
- Black Pepper (freshly ground)
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics:: First things first, grab your biggest pot, a Dutch oven usually does the trick for me. Drizzle in a bit of olive oil over medium heat, then toss in that finely diced yellow onion. Let it soften for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it gets beautifully translucent and smells sweet. This is where the magic starts to build, setting the stage for our One Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta. Then, add your minced garlic and red pepper flakes, letting them cook for just a minute until fragrant. Don’t let that garlic burn, trust me, it’s a bitter mistake I’ve made one too many times!
- Build the Base:: Now, pour in your canned crushed tomatoes and the vegetable broth. Give it a good stir, scraping up any delicious bits from the bottom of the pot. Add your dried basil and oregano, along with a good pinch of salt and pepper. Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer. I always take a moment here to just breathe in that amazing aroma; it instantly makes my kitchen feel warm and inviting. Let it bubble for about 5 minutes to let those flavors mingle and deepen.
- Add the Pasta:: Time for the star of the show! Carefully add your dried pasta to the simmering sauce. Make sure it’s mostly submerged; you might need to give it a gentle push with your spoon. Stir everything well to ensure the pasta doesn’t stick together. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to medium-low. This is the critical part for our Creamy Tomato One Pot Pasta, where everything cooks together in harmony. I always set a timer for the pasta’s suggested cooking time, then check it a minute or two early.
- Simmer & Stir:: Let the pasta cook for about 12-15 minutes, or according to package directions, stirring every 2-3 minutes. This constant stirring is key, preventing the pasta from clumping and ensuring it cooks evenly, absorbing all that glorious tomato sauce. You’ll see the sauce thicken as the pasta releases its starches. If it looks a little too dry, don’t panic, just add a splash more broth. I’ve definitely had moments where I forgot to stir and ended up with a slightly stuck-together bottom – oops!
- Stir in Cream & Cheese:: Once the pasta is al dente (meaning it still has a slight bite to it, not mushy!), turn off the heat. Pour in the heavy cream and about half of your freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Stir, stir, stir until everything is wonderfully combined and the sauce becomes incredibly rich and creamy. The heat from the pasta will melt the cheese beautifully, creating that luxurious texture. This step transforms it into the truly Creamy Tomato One Pot Pasta we crave.
- Serve & Garnish:: Ladle generous portions of your gorgeous One Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta into bowls. Sprinkle with the remaining fresh Parmesan cheese and tear some fresh basil leaves over the top. A little extra crack of black pepper never hurts either! Take a moment to admire your handiwork; it should look vibrant, smell heavenly, and taste like pure comfort. This is the moment I always feel a wave of satisfaction, seeing everyone gather around the table for this simple, delicious meal.