This creamy cherry tomato pasta is packed with flavor from sweet, fresh cherry tomatoes. Made with just a few simple ingredients, it creates a refreshing, rich, and flavorful sauce that pairs perfectly with any protein. Quick to make yet impressive to serve, this creamy tomato pasta dish is perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy gatherings.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Fresh Flavor – Sweet, juicy cherry tomatoes create a naturally vibrant and refreshing sauce.
- Creamy and Comforting – The addition of heavy cream makes this pasta smooth without being heavy.
- Simple Ingredients, Big Impact – You don’t need a long list of ingredients to make this dish shine; it is simple, yet full of flavor.
- Quick & Easy to Make – From start to finish, this recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
- 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- Adds fragrance to the base of the sauce
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- Base of the sauce. Adds natural sweetness
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- Deepens the tomato flavor
- 1 tsp chili flakes (adjust to taste)
- Adds a nice kick
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning or dried parsley
- Enhances earthiness
- Salt
- Adds flavor
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Gives a creamy base
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Gives it a savory finish
- 8 oz pasta of your choice
- Olive oil, for cooking
- For cooking
Click on the images for the direct link to the ingredients/tools I used:
Creamy Tomato Pasta Instructions
Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Add the cherry tomatoes and cook for 4–5 minutes, gently pressing them with a spatula to release their juices.
Stir in the tomato paste and mix until well combined.
Season with salt, chili flakes, and Italian seasoning.
Lower the heat and pour in the heavy cream. Stir until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Add the cooked pasta back to the pan and toss to coat in the sauce.
Finish with freshly grated Parmesan. Serve immediately.
Creamy Tomato Pasta Cooking Tips
Use fresh ripe cherry tomatoes for natural sweetness and bright flavor.
Sauté garlic carefully. Do not let it burn.
Storage Tips
- Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- To reheat, gently microwave in 30-second increments, stirring in between until warm enough.
- Gently press the tomatoes to release the juices.
- Slightly undercook the pasta since it will continue to cook in the sauce.
- If it is too thick, use reserved pasta water.
Ingredient Substitutions
Heavy cream –> Milk + butter, half and half
Parmesan cheese –> Pecorino Romano, Asiago
Olive oil –> Avocado oil, butter
Creamy Tomato Pasta
Ingredients
- 6 cloves garlic thinly sliced
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp chili flakes adjust to taste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning or dried parsley
- Salt to taste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 8 oz pasta of your choice
- Olive oil for cooking
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add the cherry tomatoes and cook for 4–5 minutes, gently pressing them with a spatula to release their juices.
- Stir in the tomato paste and mix until well combined.
- Season with salt, chili flakes, and Italian seasoning.
- Lower the heat and pour in the heavy cream. Stir until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Add the cooked pasta back to the pan and toss to coat in the sauce.
- Finish with freshly grated Parmesan. Serve immediately.
if you enjoyed this creamy tomato pasta recipe, you might also like my creamy shrimp pasta recipe.
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