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Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta

Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta

This Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta is a quick and comforting dinner made with a rich tomato garlic sauce, butter, and cream cheese for an ultra-smooth finish. Perfect for easy pasta dishes and busy weeknights, this creamy pasta recipe comes together in under 30 minutes using simple pantry ingredients. A reliable go-to for pasta dinner recipes the whole family will love.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz pasta penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 4 oz cream cheese softened
  • ½ cup heavy cream or milk
  • ½ tsp salt adjust to taste
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes optional
  • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup reserved pasta water
  • Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

Method
 

  1. Cook the Pasta
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve ¼ cup of pasta water, then drain.
  3. Make the Garlic Butter Base
  4. In a large skillet, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30–60 seconds until fragrant (do not brown).
  5. Add Tomato Sauce
  6. Stir in the tomato sauce and simmer for 3–4 minutes, allowing flavors to blend.
  7. Create the Creamy Sauce
  8. Add cream cheese and heavy cream to the skillet. Stir continuously until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
  9. Season the Sauce
  10. Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Add parmesan cheese and stir until melted.
  11. Combine Pasta and Sauce
  12. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce. Toss to coat evenly, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
  13. Serve
  14. Remove from heat and garnish with fresh basil or parsley. Serve warm.

Notes

Use day-old pasta water for the silkiest sauce consistency.
Cream cheese creates a rich, velvety texture, but heavy cream alone also works.
Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or sausage for extra protein.
For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.