10-Minute Creamy Tomato Pasta Recipe

10 ingredients + 10 minutes = the easiest tomato cream sauce you’ve ever made! It’s loaded with sun-dried tomatoes, just the right amount of cream, and nutty shaved Parmesan. Make a double batch because your family is going to LOVE this one!

This sauce is doing the most.

The flavors are simple and subtle, yet extremely rich and luxurious. Sun-dried tomatoes have WAY more flavor than raw tomatoes – kind of sweet, yet tart and tangy – and they also have a chewier texture. By mincing them in the food processor, we change their texture and allow them to combine well with the heavy cream and dried herbs. The cream balances out the strong flavors of the sun-dried tomatoes and gives the sauce a silky texture.

Here’s how it all comes together.

PROCESS THE TOMATOES + GARLIC. Add oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and a bit of oil (from the jar of sun-dried tomatoes) to a food processor. Pulse until everything is well minced and combined.

SAUTE THE TOMATOES + GARLIC. Add sun-dried tomato oil to a large saute pan over medium heat. Add sun-dried tomato and garlic mixture to the pan and cook for about 1 minute, stirring frequently.

START THE SAUCE. Add Italian seasoning and veggie stock. Simmer for a few minutes.

MAKE IT CREAMY. Then add a quick splash of heavy cream.

ADD PARM. Stir to combine, then add shaved Parmesan cheese.

FINISH SAUCE. Stir in fresh chopped parsley and season to taste with salt and pepper.

ADD PASTA. Add cooked linguine and toss until the pasta is well coated.

SERVE + ENJOY. Garnish with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh chopped parsley, and shaved Parmesan cheese. Enjoy!

10 minutes. 10 ingredients. That’s it.

• It’s quick, it’s simple, and your family will actually eat it. Which, honestly, is all we’re looking for on a busy Tuesday night.
• It’s a mostly pantry meal. Heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley are the only non-pantry ingredients you’ll need.
• It’s a great date night dinner. When my husband and I get a rare night at home alone, the last thing we want to make is something complicated. This recipe comes together quickly, but you can still enjoy your time in the kitchen together. Open a bottle of wine, put on some music, and create a delicious meal with your partner!

Things I learned while testing this recipe.

• One strong opinion before you shop: Get the oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes in a jar, not the dry-bagged ones. Try to find the julienne cut, oil-packed with herbs if possible. I find they have the best flavor and texture. And that oil they’re swimming in? It’s perfect for sauteing, or you can use it in place of the olive oil in your favorite easy vinaigrette recipe.
• No food processor? No problem. Just finely mince the sun-dried tomatoes and garlic by hand and mix them with a couple teaspoons of the oil. The food processor is nice for convenience, but not required.
• Picky eaters at the table? Pulse the tomatoes and garlic a little longer so everything gets smoother, skip the garnishes, and you’ve got a pasta that just looks like creamy noodles. You can also serve the sauce on the side and let them dip-test it before committing.
• Making it ahead? The sauce thickens a lot in the fridge. When you reheat it, add a splash of stock or cream in a sauté pan over medium heat and stir until it loosens back up. Good as new.

What I’d serve with this creamy tomato pasta.

• easy crispy garlic bread
• sliced garlic cheese bread (Texas Toast)
• Caprese garlic cheese bread
• cheesy olive garlic bread
• Margherita flatbread pizza
• simple house salad with homemade dressing

Just in case you have leftovers.

• STORING: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• FREEZING: I don’t recommend freezing this sauce as the heavy cream will separate after being frozen, thawed, and reheated. This sauce is best eaten within a few days of making it.
• REHEATING: Reheat in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add a splash of stock, broth, or cream to loosen up the sauce. Season to taste before serving.

More easy pasta recipes for your eating pleasure.