Name: 30-Minute Tomato Cream Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 lb short, ridged pasta; 1 tbsp sea or kosher salt; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 medium sweet onion (diced); 4 cloves garlic (smashed); 2 28-oz cans fire roasted whole tomatoes; 2 tsp kosher salt; 1 tsp dried basil; ½ tsp dried parsley; pinch oregano; 5 tbsp butter; ⅓ cup heavy cream; ¼ cup fresh basil (torn or julienned)

Jump to Recipe

Meet the ultimate pasta night hero: a lusciously rich, tangy, and vibrant 30-Minute Tomato Cream Sauce that always feels restaurant-worthy but comes together in the comfort of your own kitchen. With only a handful of pantry-friendly ingredients, this recipe delivers that dreamy, velvety sauce you crave when tomatoes and cream combine forces. Every simmering spoonful wraps your favorite ridged pasta in layers of roasted tomato depth, buttery softness, fresh aromatics, and sweet basil. It’s a quick comfort classic you’ll find yourself making again and again!

30-Minute Tomato Cream Sauce Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s celebrate the beauty of simplicity! Each ingredient here plays a starring role—whether it’s delivering a punch of flavor, adding luscious texture, or infusing freshness into every bite. This 30-Minute Tomato Cream Sauce truly shines when you use the best versions of these essential kitchen staples.

Short, ridged pasta (1 lb): The perfect shape for scooping up every drop of sauce—you want those grooves for ultimate cling!
Sea or kosher salt (1 tbsp for pasta water, 2 tsp for sauce): Salting your water isn’t optional; it seasons your pasta from the inside out, and a touch in the sauce wakes up all the flavors.
Olive oil (1 tbsp): Sautéing onions and garlic in quality olive oil gives your sauce its signature Italian base.
Medium sweet onion, diced: Sweet onions melt into the sauce and balance the acidity of tomatoes perfectly.
Garlic (4 cloves, smashed): Garlic doesn’t need to be fancy here—just smashed for a rustic, round flavor in every bite.
Fire roasted whole tomatoes (two 28-oz cans): Roasted tomatoes elevate the entire dish, lending a deliciously smoky, deep flavor that’s hard to replicate.
Dried basil (1 tsp) & dried parsley (½ tsp) & pinch oregano: These dried herbs give nuanced, homey notes that layer beautifully with the tomatoes.
Butter (5 tbsp, try Kerrygold): Good butter is worth the splurge here—it melts in and transforms your sauce into silken luxury.
Heavy cream (⅓ cup): The magic touch—cream gives the sauce its gorgeous blush color and signature dreamy texture.
Fresh basil (¼ cup, torn or julienned): Add at the end for a burst of color and fresh, peppery flavor—your final flourish!

How to Make 30-Minute Tomato Cream Sauce

Step 1: Cook Your Pasta

Bring a big pot of water to a lively boil, salt it generously (trust me, the pasta needs it!), and cook your favorite short, ridged pasta according to the package directions. Once they’re al dente, strain and set aside. This step ensures your pasta is ready to soak up every comforting swirl of the 30-Minute Tomato Cream Sauce.

Step 2: Sauté the Onion and Garlic

Grab a sturdy Dutch oven and heat the olive oil over medium heat until shimmering. Toss in your diced sweet onion and gently sauté until it turns translucent and sweet, about five minutes—be patient, you’re building real flavor here. Next, add the smashed garlic and stir for just a minute, letting its aroma fill your kitchen without letting it brown.

Step 3: Add Tomatoes and Seasonings

Now comes the star moment! Pour in those fire roasted tomatoes (juice included) along with the kosher salt, dried basil, dried parsley, and just a pinch of oregano. Give it all a hearty stir, then nestle the heavenly pats of butter on top—the aroma at this stage is next-level cozy.

Step 4: Simmer and Soften

Raise the heat to high to coax out gentle bubbles, then drop it down to maintain a steady simmer. Keep it partially covered and let the sauce do its thing for at least 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Every time you stir, crush the tomatoes with the back of your wooden spoon—this not only thickens the sauce but releases those deep, roasted flavors.

Step 5: Creamy Finale and Blend

Turn off the heat and pour in the heavy cream. Here’s where that iconic 30-Minute Tomato Cream Sauce blush comes to life! Puree the mixture with an immersion blender right in the pot until smooth and silky. Taste and adjust the seasoning or add more cream if you want an even silkier finish.

Step 6: Toss and Serve

Toss half of the velvety sauce with your cooked pasta—make sure every noodle is coated! Pile into your favorite bowls and garnish with plenty of fresh basil for a final pop of color and flavor. Dinner is officially irresistible.

Step 7: Freeze the Rest

Don’t let one drop go to waste! Freeze the remaining half of your 30-Minute Tomato Cream Sauce in a tightly sealed container. Future you will thank you for this stroke of genius (and good taste).

How to Serve 30-Minute Tomato Cream Sauce

Garnishes

The crowning touch is a generous flurry of fresh basil, either torn or cut into thin ribbons. If you’re feeling extra, add fresh-cracked black pepper, a drizzle of olive oil, or a sprinkle of freshly shaved parmesan cheese—these simple toppings really make the colors and aromas pop.

Side Dishes

Pair your 30-Minute Tomato Cream Sauce pasta with a crisp green salad tossed in a lemony vinaigrette or a hunk of crusty, warm sourdough bread. Garlic bread and roasted vegetables also round out the meal, giving you a plate that’s both cozy and fresh.

Creative Ways to Present

Put your own playful spin on serving: try filling small bowls with sauced pasta for a tapas-style dinner party, or use the sauce to top baked gnocchi, roasted eggplant, or as a dreamy dip for cheesy mozzarella sticks. You can even drizzle some over grilled chicken or roasted shrimp for a quick weeknight main.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover 30-Minute Tomato Cream Sauce holds up beautifully for quick meals all week. Store any extra sauce (separate from the pasta, if possible) in a sealed container in the fridge for up to four days—the flavors deepen and mellow even more overnight!

Freezing

For the ultimate meal prep win, freeze cooled sauce in a freezer-safe container, leaving a little room for expansion. The sauce keeps its silky texture and flavor for up to three months. Always label and date your container, so you never lose track of that hidden treasure!

Reheating

Reheat the sauce gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring as it warms to keep that creamy texture. If it thickens too much, add a splash of warm cream or milk. For sauce that’s been frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge before warming—it’ll taste as fresh as the day you made it.

FAQs

Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?

Absolutely! If you have a bounty of ripe, juicy tomatoes, roast them in the oven until slightly charred and blistered, then proceed as you would with the canned variety for an even fresher spin on 30-Minute Tomato Cream Sauce.

Is there a dairy-free option?

Yes! You can swap the butter for a quality vegan butter and replace the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk or a plant-based cream—it’ll still be wonderfully creamy and delicious.

What type of pasta works best?

Short, ridged pastas like rigatoni, penne, or fusilli are ideal, as their shapes catch and hold onto the 30-Minute Tomato Cream Sauce. But feel free to use your favorite—this sauce plays well with almost any pasta shape.

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?

You sure can. The flavors actually deepen and develop as it sits, making the 30-Minute Tomato Cream Sauce even tastier the next day. Store in the fridge and reheat gently before serving.

How spicy is this sauce?

This recipe is mild and incredibly family-friendly, but if you love a little heat, feel free to add a pinch of red pepper flakes while the sauce simmers!

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for comfort, speed, and a classic Italian hug in a bowl, this 30-Minute Tomato Cream Sauce will be your new weeknight staple. From its incredible flavor to its simple, soul-satisfying process, every bite is pure joy. Get those pots ready—you’re about to wow yourself and everyone lucky enough to join you at the table!

30-Minute Tomato Cream Sauce Recipe

★★★★★

5.2 from 12 reviews

Author: Sophie
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A delicious and creamy tomato sauce recipe that can be made in just 30 minutes. This tomato cream sauce is perfect for tossing with pasta for a quick and satisfying meal.

Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package directions in heavily salted water. Strain and set aside.
Sautee Onions and Garlic: Heat olive oil in a dutch oven. Sautee onions until translucent, then add garlic and cook until fragrant.
Prepare the Sauce: Add tomatoes, salt, dried basil, parsley, oregano, and butter. Simmer covered for at least 20 minutes, occasionally crushing the tomatoes.
Blend and Season: Turn off heat, add cream, then puree the sauce until smooth. Adjust seasoning with salt or cream.
Combine and Serve: Toss half the sauce with cooked pasta. Portion onto plates, garnish with fresh basil, and serve.
Freeze Remaining Sauce: Store the extra sauce in a sealed container for up to 3 months.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Simmering, Blending
Cuisine: Italian