Description
A creamy and flavorful tomato pasta sauce with cream cheese that is quick and easy to make. This rich and indulgent sauce pairs perfectly with any type of pasta, creating a comforting and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Pasta
- 8oz (225 grams) Pasta (long or short pasta will work…)
Tomato pasta sauce with cream cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
- 2 or 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 brown or white onion, finely diced
- 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
- 3/4 cup (200 ml) tomato passata (aka tomato puree)
- 1 teaspoon dried basil (or 1 tbsp of chopped fresh basil)*
- 1/2 cup (120 grams) cream cheese (I used Philadelphia)
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) reserved pasta water
- 1/4 teaspoon fine salt, or to taste
- 1/8 black pepper, plus more to serve
Instructions
- Cook pasta: In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining.
- Prepare sauce: In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter and sauté garlic, onion, and chili flakes for 2 minutes. Add tomato passata and basil, simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add cheeses: Stir in cream cheese, parmesan, and pasta water. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine: Toss drained pasta in the sauce until coated. Serve immediately with more parmesan.
Notes
- You can customize the sauce with additional herbs or spices to suit your taste.
- For a lighter version, use low-fat cream cheese.
- This sauce pairs well with a variety of pasta shapes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
