Description
This creamy Tomato Pasta Sauce with Cream Cheese is an easy-to-make, flavorful sauce perfect for elevating your pasta dishes. Combining the rich tang of crushed tomatoes with the smooth texture of cream cheese, this Italian-inspired sauce offers a velvety texture and delicious depth with simple ingredients and a quick stovetop preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened and cubed
- ½ cup milk or cream
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Fresh basil, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat oil and sauté onion: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until the onion is softened and translucent.
- Add garlic and cook: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Add tomato ingredients and spices: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Add dried basil, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir well to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Simmer the sauce: Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat and cook uncovered for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Incorporate cream cheese: Reduce heat to low and add the cubed, softened cream cheese. Stir continuously until it melts completely and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Add milk and Parmesan cheese: Stir in the milk or cream along with the optional grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Final simmer: Let the sauce simmer for another 2–3 minutes on low heat to heat through and thicken slightly.
- Serve and garnish: Serve this luscious sauce over cooked pasta of your choice, and garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired for added aroma and color.
Notes
- This sauce pairs wonderfully with penne, spaghetti, or rigatoni pasta.
- For added protein and heartiness, stir in cooked chicken, sausage, or ground beef before serving.
- Using full-fat cream cheese will yield the creamiest and richest texture.
- Adjust red pepper flakes based on your preferred spice level or omit for a mild sauce.
- Leftover sauce can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove.
