Name: Creamy Tomato Pasta Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 30 grams butter (2 tablespoons); ½ onion, finely chopped (about 70 grams); 3 garlic cloves, finely diced; ½ teaspoon black pepper; 70 grams tomato paste (¼ cup); ¾ cup cream; 40 grams parmesan, finely grated; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; Salt to taste; 200 grams dried pasta or 300 grams fresh pasta

There’s something incredibly comforting about a rich, velvety sauce coating your pasta just right, and this Creamy Tomato Pasta Sauce Recipe hits all those notes. It’s simple, indulgent, and perfect for a quick dinner that feels like a treat but doesn’t keep you in the kitchen all night.

The image shows a close-up of cooked penne pasta coated in a smooth, creamy orange sauce. The pasta pieces are arranged in layers, with the sauce evenly covering each piece, giving them a shiny and soft texture. Thin, green basil strips are scattered over the pasta, adding a fresh touch of color, along with a light sprinkle of fine white cheese on top. The pasta sits in a pan with a wooden slotted spoon partially visible on the left, resting among the pasta. The background features a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Tomato Pasta Sauce Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Creamy Tomato Pasta Sauce Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Creamy Tomato Pasta Sauce Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I genuinely can’t get enough of this sauce — it’s creamy without being heavy, tangy with that subtle lemony twist, and so darn easy to make. Whenever I need a quick pasta fix that feels homemade, this one saves the day every time.

Simple ingredients: Uses pantry staples like tomato paste and cream to build a quick, flavorful sauce.
Speedy prep: You’ll have dinner on the table in about 20 minutes — perfect for a weeknight!
Customizable: Easy to tweak with your favorite herbs or add proteins to make it your own.
Deliciously balanced: The cream softens the tomato paste’s acidity, while lemon juice brightens the flavors, making every bite pop.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient has a purpose here, creating layers of flavor and that perfect creamy texture you want in a tomato sauce. Grab fresh garlic and quality parmesan if you can — it really makes a difference!

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of golden olive oil, a pat of creamy butter on a white plate, half a fresh yellow onion finely chopped next to it, three whole garlic cloves unpeeled, a small white ceramic bowl filled with vibrant red tomato paste, another small white ceramic bowl containing thick white cream, a small white bowl with finely grated pale yellow parmesan, a small white bowl with freshly squeezed lemon juice, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a scattering of whole black peppercorns, uncooked farfalle pasta arranged neatly on a white plate, all ingredients fresh and natural, arranged symmetrically and balanced, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Olive oil: Adds a fruity, smooth base to cook your aromatics gently.
Butter: Brings richness and helps mellow out the tang of the tomato paste.
Onion: Gives sweetness to balance the acidity; I use half a medium, finely chopped for softness.
Garlic: Adds that irresistible aroma and a subtle punch.
Black pepper: Just enough for a gentle heat and earthiness.
Tomato paste: Concentrated tomato flavor that forms the sauce’s base.
Cream: Turns the sauce silky and rich without overpowering the tomato.
Parmesan: Melts into the sauce, giving it savory depth and umami.
Lemon juice: A touch of brightness that wakes up all the flavors.
Salt: Enhances every other ingredient.
Pasta (dried or fresh): The perfect vehicle for the sauce, so get your favorites ready!

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love playing around with this creamy tomato pasta sauce recipe to suit whatever mood I’m in — sometimes I make it spicier or add fresh basil for that garden-fresh vibe. You should experiment too! This sauce is a great blank canvas.

Variation: One of my go-to tweaks is to stir in some red pepper flakes for a subtle heat that livens things up without overpowering the creaminess.
Dairy-free swap: I’ve also tried coconut cream instead of dairy cream — it gives a tropical twist while keeping that luscious texture.
Protein boost: Throw in some cooked chicken, shrimp, or even crispy pancetta to turn this sauce into a heartier meal.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Tomato Pasta Sauce Recipe

A white bowl filled with creamy penne pasta coated in a smooth orange sauce, topped with small shreds of white cheese and thin green basil strips scattered on top. The bowl sits on a light gray cloth napkin, placed on a white marbled surface. To the right of the bowl is a small clear glass cup holding three bright green basil leaves. A metal knife and fork are positioned at the bottom left corner on the cloth. The image shows a close view from above, highlighting the textures and colors of the pasta and garnishes. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep Your Pasta and Ingredients

First things first, get a large pot of heavily salted water boiling for your pasta. Timing is key here — I usually start cooking the sauce a few minutes after the pasta goes in so everything finishes together. If you end up draining pasta early, don’t forget to save a cup of pasta water; it helps loosen the sauce later.

Step 2: Sauté Onions and Garlic to Build Flavor

Heat olive oil and butter in a big pan over medium-high heat. Toss in the finely chopped onions and let them soften over medium-low heat for about 4-5 minutes. Finally, add garlic and black pepper, cooking gently for another minute or two. Watch the heat — you want everything soft and fragrant, not browned or burnt.

Step 3: Add Tomato Paste and Cream

Whisk in the tomato paste and cook for a couple of minutes, letting those flavors concentrate. Then slow the heat down to a gentle simmer before gradually adding cream, whisking constantly to keep it smooth. This part is all about patience — keep the heat low so the cream doesn’t split.

Step 4: Brighten with Lemon and Parmesan

Squeeze in lemon juice and whisk quickly. If you’re worried about curdling, hold off until the very end with the pasta. Then, add the parmesan in small batches, whisking well in between. The cheese melts and enriches the sauce, making it irresistibly creamy and savory.

Step 5: Combine Pasta and Finish with Sauce

Drain your pasta directly into the sauce — this is my favorite part because the starch in the pasta water helps thicken the sauce beautifully. Add about a quarter cup of pasta water and let it all bubble gently together for a minute or two. Adjust the consistency with more pasta water if needed. Taste, add salt, and serve with extra parmesan and cracked black pepper.

Top Tip

Over time, I’ve learned a few tricks to nail this Creamy Tomato Pasta Sauce Recipe every time. Keeping the cream at a gentle simmer and adding parmesan gradually really makes a difference in texture and flavor.

Gentle heat: Always keep your sauce at a low simmer once you add the cream. High heat risks curdling and breaking that silky texture.
Reserve pasta water: Never drain pasta without saving some water — it’s key for loosening the sauce and helping it cling to your noodles.
Add parmesan in batches: Stir in your cheese slowly so it melts perfectly and you get that luscious umami flavor throughout.
Lemon last (if needed): If your sauce tends to curdle, hold back the lemon juice until just before serving — then stir it in with the pasta.

How to Serve Creamy Tomato Pasta Sauce Recipe

Creamy Tomato Pasta - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

When it comes to garnishing, I keep it simple but fresh. A sprinkle of extra parmesan just before serving is a must — it melts slightly on top, adding richness. Fresh basil leaves give a subtle herbaceous note that lifts the whole plate, and a crack of black pepper never hurts.

Side Dishes

I love pairing this creamy tomato pasta sauce with a crisp iceberg wedge salad dressed lightly in lemon and olive oil. Garlic bread or a warm, crusty loaf is another favorite to soak up every last bit of saucy goodness.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I’ve served the pasta topped with freshly torn basil and a drizzle of high-quality oil in a deep white bowl — it looks restaurant-ready but feels cozy and inviting. You could also swirl in a dollop of ricotta for extra creaminess and pretty contrast.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover sauce stores beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When I’ve made extra, I always portion it out correctly so I can easily pull it for a quick meal without waste.

Freezing

This creamy tomato pasta sauce freezes surprisingly well, which was a lifesaver on those busy nights. I freeze it in single-serving portions, defrost overnight in the fridge, then reheat gently on the stove with a splash of cream or pasta water to refresh the texture.

Reheating

To reheat, I always warm it slowly on low heat, stirring frequently to prevent the cream from splitting. If it looks too thick, a bit of reserved pasta water is magic to bring back that perfect sauciness.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of tomato paste in this creamy tomato pasta sauce recipe?

You can, but tomato paste offers a much more concentrated and intense tomato flavor, which gives this sauce its rich base. Using fresh tomatoes will require cooking longer to reduce the sauce and intensify the flavor, plus you may need to adjust the cream and seasoning to keep the right balance.

What type of pasta works best with this creamy tomato pasta sauce recipe?

This sauce pairs beautifully with a variety of pasta shapes. I personally love it with fettuccine or penne because the creamy sauce clings nicely to the ridges and strands, but spaghetti or rigatoni are also fantastic choices. Go with what you have — it all tastes great!

How do I prevent the cream from curdling in the sauce?

Keeping the heat low and adding cream gradually while whisking helps immensely. Also, adding lemon juice at the very end or mixing it in with the pasta rather than directly into the hot sauce can prevent curdling. Stir frequently and avoid boiling the sauce once cream is added.

Can I make this creamy tomato pasta sauce recipe vegan or dairy-free?

Absolutely! Swap out butter for olive oil and use a plant-based cream alternative like coconut cream or cashew cream. Nutritional yeast can replace parmesan to add that cheesy umami flavor. The texture will still be creamy and satisfying.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Tomato Pasta Sauce Recipe is one of those comforting hits that never fails to brighten up my weeknight dinners. It balances ease with flavor in a way that feels like a little hug on a plate. I really hope you give it a whirl — trust me, once you do, it’ll become one of your go-to sauces too.