This submit could comprise affiliate hyperlinks. Please see our privateness coverage for particulars.
Your go-to simple peasy pasta recipe but fancy sufficient for firm! So luscious, velvety, creamy + saucy!

why i like this recipe
- Weeknight favourite. Howdy, 40 min dinner! The prep time is minimal, and many of the elements embody pantry staples (no want for that emergency grocery run!).
- Really easy however nonetheless spectacular for firm. This may be paired with garlicky bread and a easy salad for a company-worthy dinner. It’s really easy but so spectacular for all of your company.
- Versatile, versatile recipe. This can be a nice recipe so as to add in some protein (ex. crumbled floor beef or leftover rotisserie hen) or sneak in veggies and greens for these choosy eaters.
- Freezer-friendly. This pasta and tomato cream sauce freezes like a dream, excellent to make forward of time, meal prep and freeze for a wet day (aka these tremendous busy weeknights).

the key ingredient
Tomato paste
Tomato paste is a concentrated type of tomatoes, and is a key ingredient right here including physique and richness in small quantities with out including an excessive amount of liquid to assist obtain a luscious, silky tomato sauce.
the right way to make this simple pasta dish
- Boil and prepare dinner the pasta, reserving at the very least 1/2 cup of pasta water
- Soften the butter, sweat the onions and caramelize the tomato paste till deep darkish pink
- Stir in wine (or inventory)
- Add the tomatoes and sugar, simmering till thickened
- Stir within the heavy cream, Parmesan, and pasta water till the specified thickness is reached
- Serve instantly with all of the crusty bread

suggestions and tips for achievement
- Use a distinct pasta form. Don’t have cavatelli readily available or can’t discover it at your native grocery retailer? Orecchiette and fusilli are each nice substitutes that additionally maintain and cling onto sauces very effectively.
- Caramelize the tomato paste. This recipe makes use of a whole tube of tomato paste (no leftover tomato paste lingering within the fridge!). The tomato paste will make sure that deep caramelized and browned tomato flavors, which is a key spotlight of this dish.
- Select a wine you’ll drink. A dry pink wine (cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir or merlot) is nice right here – it doesn’t need to be something fancy or overpriced. Simply one thing you don’t thoughts sipping on since you should have an open bottle.
- Add in leafy greens. This can be a nice recipe to sneak in leafy greens for these choosy eaters. Spinach, kale, collard greens, swiss chard, or arugula are all nice choices.
- Add a kick of warmth (or not). For extra of a spicy kick, improve the quantity of crushed pink pepper flakes. For milder flavors, particularly for the little ones, skip the pink pepper flakes altogether.
- Add the cream slowly. All the time add the heavy cream on the very finish, pouring very slowly to stop curdling.
- Make it lighter. Heavy cream could have a better fats content material than half and half or milk, yielding a thicker, extra velvety easy consistency. Swap out the heavy cream for half and half or entire milk for a lighter pasta sauce.
- Serve with crusty bread. Serve with all of the selfmade crusty bread for dipping, sopping and dunking!
- Freeze as wanted. Let cool fully; portion into plastic freezer luggage in particular person servings, squeezing out any extra air earlier than sealing. Lay the luggage flat in a single layer within the freezer (this can assist them freeze rapidly). To reheat, thaw in a single day within the fridge, reheating over low warmth, stirring often, till heated by means of.

professional tip
Put aside pasta water.
Reserve about 1/2 cup pasta water – the starch from the pasta releases into the cooking water and serves as a pure thickener and helps obtain that luscious, velvety sauce that adheres to the pasta. Add about 1/4 cup to the pasta dish to start out, including extra as wanted.

what to serve with fast pasta with tomato cream sauce
Fast Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce: Regularly Requested Questions
Inventory can be utilized for pink wine as a non-alcoholic substitute. Inventory can be much less acidic and extra delicate in taste than pink wine.
The sugar balances the pure acidity of the tomatoes, making the sauce much less tart with extra well-rounded flavors whereas including a refined sweetness.
Heavy cream (or heavy whipping cream) has one of many highest fats contents with about 36-40% fats. Half and half or entire milk are appropriate substitutes, however will yield a lighter consequence.
Leftovers may be saved in an hermetic container within the fridge for 3-4 days.
Sure, this pasta dinner freezes very effectively. Freeze the leftovers in particular person freezer luggage, thawing in a single day, and reheating on the stovetop over low warmth.
- 12 ounces cavatelli pasta
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 (4.46-ounce) tube tomato paste
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon crushed pink pepper flakes, optionally available
- ¼ cup dry pink wine
- 1 (14-ounce) can pureed or crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ⅔ cup heavy cream
- ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan
- Kosher salt and freshly floor black pepper, to style
- 2 tablespoon chopped contemporary parsley leaves
-
In a big pot of boiling salted water, prepare dinner pasta in response to bundle directions; reserve 1/2 cup water and drain effectively.
-
Soften butter in a massive forged iron skillet over medium excessive warmth. Add onion to the skillet, and prepare dinner, stirring steadily, till translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
-
Stir in tomato paste, garlic, Italian seasoning and crushed pink pepper flakes till the tomato paste begins to brown and caramelize, about 4-5 minutes.
-
Stir in wine, scraping any browned bits from the underside of the skillet.
-
Stir in tomatoes and sugar. Deliver to a boil; scale back warmth and simmer, stirring often, till diminished and thickened, about 8-10 minutes.
-
Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan till effectively mixed and cheese has melted, about 1 minute.
-
Stir in pasta and reserved pasta water, about 1/4 cup at a time, till desired consistency is reached; season with salt and pepper, to style.
-
Serve instantly, garnished with parsley, if desired.