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Tomato Pasta Sauce with Cream Cheese Recipe

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4 from 14 reviews

This creamy tomato pasta sauce combines the rich tang of tomato passata with smooth cream cheese and a hint of garlic and basil, delivering a luscious sauce that coats your favorite pasta perfectly. Ready in just 10 minutes, it’s a quick, comforting meal ideal for busy weeknights or casual dinners.

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 8oz (225 grams) Pasta (long or short pasta will work)

Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
  • 2 or 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ brown or white onion, finely diced
  • ¼ teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
  • ¾ cup (200 ml) tomato passata (aka tomato puree)
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil (or 1 tbsp of chopped fresh basil)
  • ½ cup (120 grams) cream cheese (Philadelphia recommended)
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) reserved pasta water
  • ¼ teaspoon fine salt, or to taste
  • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper, plus more to serve

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, following package instructions. A couple of minutes before the pasta is done, carefully scoop out approximately 1 cup of the pasta cooking water and set aside for later use.
  2. Prepare Sauce Base: While the pasta cooks, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic, finely diced onion, and chili flakes if using. Cook gently for about 2 minutes until fragrant and softened.
  3. Add Tomato and Basil: Stir in the tomato passata and dried basil. Lower the heat and allow to cook for 5 minutes, letting the flavors meld and the sauce slightly thicken.
  4. Incorporate Cheeses and Pasta Water: Mix in the cream cheese, freshly grated parmesan, and ¼ cup of the reserved pasta water. Stir vigorously until the sauce is well combined and emulsified, which should take only a few seconds. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper as desired.
  5. Toss Pasta with Sauce: Drain the cooked pasta and add it directly to the skillet with the sauce. Toss thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly, which should take about 10 seconds. If the sauce seems too thick, add more reserved pasta water gradually to reach desired consistency.
  6. Serve Immediately: Turn off the heat and serve the pasta right away. Optionally, sprinkle with extra freshly grated parmesan cheese. Enjoy your creamy tomato pasta sauce!

Notes

  • Reserve some pasta water before draining; it helps adjust sauce consistency and aids emulsification.
  • Feel free to swap butter with olive oil for a lighter flavor.
  • Adjust chili flakes according to your preferred spice level.
  • Use fresh basil for a brighter flavor if available.
  • This sauce works well with any pasta type—long like spaghetti or short shapes like penne.

Find it online: https://bitezly.com/tomato-pasta-sauce-with-cream-cheese-recipe/