Name: Tomato-Cream Sauce for Pasta
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 medium onion, diced; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1 (14.5 ounce) can Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained; 1 tablespoon dried basil leaves; 0.75 teaspoon white sugar; 0.25 teaspoon dried oregano; 0.25 teaspoon salt; 0.125 teaspoon ground black pepper; 0.5 cup heavy cream; 1 tablespoon butter

Prep Time:

5 mins

Cook Time:

15 mins

Total Time:

20 mins

Servings:

5

Jump to Nutrition Facts

It'll be love at first bite when you try this absolutely decadent tomato-cream sauce for pasta. With a rich texture and an irresistible flavor, this creamy tomato pasta sauce is sure to please everyone at your dinner table. Get the Allrecipes community favorite recipe, as well as serving and storage tips, right here.

Overhead view of tomato-cream sauce in a skillet with pasta noodles to the side — Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Tomato-Cream Sauce for Pasta Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make this rich, flavorful, and wonderfully creamy sauce for pasta:

Onion and Garlic
You'll start this cream sauce for pasta by sauteing garlic and diced onions in olive oil until they're translucent and fragrant.

Canned Tomatoes
This convenient cream sauce recipe calls for a can of Italian-style diced tomatoes instead of fresh tomatoes. Don't drain the can, as the juices are necessary for the perfect consistency and flavor.

Spices and Seasonings
Dried basil leaves, white sugar, dried oregano, salt, and ground black pepper add a complex savory flavor (with just a touch of sweetness).

Heavy Cream
You can't make cream sauce for pasta without cream! For a slightly lighter twist, try using half milk and half heavy cream.

Butter
Just a tablespoon of butter ensures a rich, velvety smooth finish.

How to Make Tomato-Cream Sauce for Pasta

You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make this top-rated cream sauce for pasta:

Cook Onions and Garlic

Cook onions over medium-heat in olive oil until translucent, then stir in garlic.

Add Tomatoes and Spices

Add tomatoes, basil, sugar, oregano, salt, and pepper. Boil until the tomatoes have cooked down and most of the ingredients have evaporated.

Stir In Cream and Butter

Remove the pan from heat, then stir in cream and butter. Return to the stove and simmer for about 5 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this tomato-cream sauce over your favorite pasta, such as penne or farfalle. For a heartier option, pour it over gnocchi or tortellini. You can shake things up a bit by adding meat (like chicken or sausage) and/or veggies (such as spinach or peppers).

As far as side dishes go, you may want to pair this indulgently creamy tomato sauce for pasta with something light to offset the heaviness of your entree. Try one of our Quick and Easy Side Salads, for instance.

How to Store Tomato-Cream Sauce for Pasta

Store this creamy sauce (by itself or with pasta) in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stove.

Can You Freeze Tomato-Cream Sauce for Pasta?

Unfortunately, since this recipe is cream-based we don't recommend freezing. Heavy cream tends to separate in the freezer. It's best to enjoy this cream sauce immediately or within five days.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"I made this last night and I am still thinking about it," says drdede, who served the sauce of fettuccine. "The dish was easy and wonderful. I omitted the sugar as the onions provided sweetness. I used stewed tomatoes and a squirt of tomato paste for richness. Otherwise I just followed the recipe as written. The sauce had a lovely consistency."

"I really love this pasta sauce," raves sunder_mom. "I add an extra half can of tomatoes so that it goes a little further. I add steamed peas, broccoli and chicken to some penne pasta, toss it all together with the sauce, and it's excellent! My family loves it!"

"Oh so good," according to cardell. "This is so delicious, easy to make and inexpensive. I took the advice of others and blended the sauce until smooth. Because we have vegans in the home, I used non-dairy margarine and milk rather than butter and cream. Definitely a keeper."

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 (14.5 ounce) can Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained
1 tablespoon dried basil leaves
¾ teaspoon white sugar
¼ teaspoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon butter

Directions

Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes, stirring the garlic in during the last minute.

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Add undrained tomatoes, basil, sugar, oregano, salt, and pepper; stir to combine as it comes to a boil. Continue to boil until most of the liquid evaporates, about 5 minutes.

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Remove from the heat. Pour in cream and butter; stir to combine.

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Return to the stove and simmer over low heat for 5 more minutes.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

182	Calories
17g	Fat
7g	Carbs
2g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 5
Calories 182
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 17g	21%
Saturated Fat 8g	39%
Cholesterol 39mg	13%
Sodium 270mg	12%
Total Carbohydrate 7g	2%
Dietary Fiber 1g	4%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 8mg	38%
Calcium 64mg	5%
Iron 2mg	12%
Potassium 180mg	4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.