Mom's Dinner

  • Home
  • All Recipes
  • Instant Pot
    • All Instant Pot Recipes
    • Instant Pot Soup
    • Instant Pot Beef
    • Instant Pot Chicken
    • Instant Pot Pork
    • Instant Pot Turkey
    • Instant Pot Pasta
    • Instant Pot Vegetarian
  • Dinner
    • Beef
    • Chicken
    • Pork
    • Turkey
    • Fish & Seafood
    • Mexican
    • Pasta
    • Vegetarian
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • All Recipes
  • Dinner
  • About
  • Subscribe
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • All Recipes
  • Dinner
  • About
  • Subscribe
×
You are here: Home / Recipes / Pasta

Easy Tomato Cream Sauce in 15 Minutes

By Susie Weinrich · Date Feb 24, 2022· 7 Comments · May contain affiliate links.

Spaghetti coated in a tomato cream sauce being served from a large bowl
↓ Jump to Recipe
Pin the Recipe

This Tomato Cream Sauce is so easy to make by using your favorite jarred marinara sauce mixed with cream, milk, onions, garlic and spices. It all comes together in about 15 minutes, just enough time to cook a big pot of pasta to serve it with. This pasta sauce recipe is a favorite among Mom’s Dinner readers and cooks!

Spaghetti in a white bowl with creamy tomato sauce
Spaghetti with Tomato Cream Sauce

Some call this one Pink Pasta, Rosé Pasta or Rose Pasta! It does take on a little pink hue (I think it is a little more orange) from the mix of the red marinara and milk/cream. Tell your kids you are having pink pasta for dinner and I bet they gobble it up.

This is our favorite restaurant sauce and I’ve tried multiple times to make it. Your recipe is the easiest and best tasting ever!!! The whole family goes nuts over it. It is delicious!!!

– Robyn, Mom’s Dinner Reader

RELATED: If you are looking for more of a traditional marinara sauce, check out this recipe for Homemade Marinara Sauce.

Table of Contents hide
1 Use Your Favorite Jar Sauce
2 Gluten Free Pasta Sauce
3 How to Make Tomato Cream Sauce
4 Serving
5 Audio Recipe
6 Make it a Meal or Amazing Side Dish
7 More Pasta Sauce Recipes
8 Did you make this recipe?
9 Easy Tomato Cream Sauce Recipe + Video

Use Your Favorite Jar Sauce

This Tomato Cream Sauce is super simple to make and I can almost guarantee that you will love the flavor because it is made with your favorite store-bought jar sauce.

Our current favorite store bought sauce is Rao’s Traditional Marinara or Basil Marinara. It pairs perfectly with the herbs, spices and cream.

A bowl of pasta with tomato cream sauce

Gluten Free Pasta Sauce

This sauce is made without flour! Instead, the heavy cream thickens it enough to cling to the noodles perfectly. So as long as your jarred marinara is also gluten free this also makes a great gluten-free creamy pasta sauce option.

How to Make Tomato Cream Sauce

  1. Onions and Garlic
  2. Start with a pot over medium/low heat. Pour in about 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Once it is heated through add the diced onions and chopped garlic, soften completely for about 5-8 minutes.

    onions and garlic cooked in olive oil
    Soften onions and garlic in olive oil

    While the sauce cooks you can cook the pasta in a separate pot. They will be done at about the same time!

  3. Herbs and Seasonings
  4. Next stir in the dried basil, dried oregano, salt and tomato paste. Stir it around the pan until the tomato paste coats the onions and garlic.

    A small bowl of seasoning - basil, oregano, salt, and red pepper flakes
    Add the seasonings and tomato paste to the onions and garlic.
  5. Add Cream
  6. Pour in 1 cup heavy whipping cream and ½ cup milk (I recommend 2% or whole milk). Lightly simmer over medium/low heat for about 8 minutes.

  7. Add Store Bought Marinara
  8. Stir in 2 cups of your favorite jarred marinara sauce. Stir until everything is combined and warmed through.

    Tomato Cream Sauce in a pot with a wooden spoon
    Stir all the ingredients together and serve over pasta!

Serving

Serve this Creamy Tomato Sauce over 1 lb. of cooked pasta – you can use spaghetti, penne, rigatoni… whatever you like or whatever you have.

two forks pulling a serving of pasta out of a bowl

You can optionally top this pasta with shredded parmesan and/or fresh chopped basil.

Audio Recipe

Make it a Meal or Amazing Side Dish

You can certainly stir in some sauteed shrimp, grilled chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken if you want a little protein mixed in.

Serve dinner with a side salad, Big Italian Salad, or Caesar salad and some garlic bread!

This Tomato Cream Sauce Pasta also makes an amazing side dish for Chicken Parmesan, Chicken Spiedini, or Pork Milanese.

More Pasta Sauce Recipes

If pasta is on heavy rotation at your house, here are some more super delicious pasta sauce recipes to try:

  • Beef ragu over pappardelle pasta with a dallop of ricotta on top
    The Best Slow Simmered Beef Ragu
  • spaghetti with meat sauce recipe on a black and white napkin
    Spaghetti with Simple Meat Sauce
  • Fresh Basil Pesto in a bowl on a cutting board
    Homemade Basil Pesto + Freezing Tips
  • a mason jar full of homemade marinara sauce
    All-Day Marinara Sauce in Under an Hour

Susie leaning on the kitchen counter

💛💛💛💛💛

Did you make this recipe?

I would love to hear your review, especially if you have tips and tricks to add! Pop down to the comment section and connect with me

Rate This Recipe→
a bowl of tomato cream sauce pasta

Easy Tomato Cream Sauce Recipe + Video

An easy recipe for tomato cream sauce ready in about 15 minutes. It is made with your favorite jarred marinara sauce. Perfect served with cooked pasta!
5 from 19 votes
Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 198kcal
Author: Susie Weinrich

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ cup onions - diced
  • 3 fresh garlic cloves - chopped
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • pinch of red pepper flakes - more for additional heat
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup milk - recommend 2% or whole
  • 2 cups jarred marinara - use your favorite brand (we love Rao's)

Serving

  • 1 lb. your favorite pasta (spaghetti, penne, rigatoni….) - cooked per package instructions

Instructions
 

Pasta

  • While you are making the sauce, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your pasta per package instructions.
    The pasta and sauce will be ready at about the same time!
    1 lb. your favorite pasta (spaghetti, penne, rigatoni….)

Tomato Cream Sauce

  • In a pot or deep skillet, over medium/low heat, add the olive oil. Once it is hot add the onion and garlic. Soften for about 5 minutes.
    1 tablespoon olive oil, ½ cup onions, 3 fresh garlic cloves
  • Add in the dried basil, dried oregano, kosher salt, pinch red pepper flakes and tomato paste. Stir it around the pot until the tomato paste coats the onions and garlic, about 1 minute.
    1 teaspoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, pinch of red pepper flakes, 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • Stir in the heavy cream and milk. Lightly simmer over medium/low heat for about 5 minutes, until it will coat the back of a wooden spoon.
    1 cup heavy cream, ½ cup milk
  • Stir in 2 cups of your favorite jarred marinara until it is completely mixed with the cream mixture.
    2 cups jarred marinara
  • Taste for additional salt/pepper and serve over the cooked pasta.

Recipe Tips and Notes:

REHEATING: To reheat leftovers add a little milk to the bowl or pan to reconstitute the sauce.
ADDING PROTEIN: Add some grilled chicken or sauteed shrimp to get a little protein with your pasta.
GLUTEN FREE CREAM SAUCE: Make sure to use a gluten free jarred marinara to make this a Gluten Free Creamy Pasta Sauce. Also make sure you use gluten free pasta for serving.
Did you make this recipe?Connect with me and let me know by commenting below!
Jump to Comments
Serving: 1serving of sauce | Calories: 198kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 621mg | Potassium: 372mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1018IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 1mg

About Susie Weinrich

Susie Weinrich is the recipe developer, food photographer, and content creator behind Mom's Dinner. She has over 20 years experience in the food industry. Currently, Susie shares all her recipes and food knowledge on Mom's Dinner. You will find her recipes are easy to follow and full of tips and tricks to make sure the recipe you are making turns out perfect!

Comments

    5 from 19 votes (14 ratings without comment)

    We would love to have you comment & rate the recipe! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Lisa says

    July 18, 2024 at 7:38 pm

    5 stars
    Made this for dinner tonight to serve with ravioli from TJ. Followed instructions as written. Soooo good! Will definitely be making over and over again.

    Reply
  2. Christina says

    January 01, 2024 at 8:21 pm

    5 stars
    Followed instructions as is and turned out perfectly!

    Reply
  3. Ligaya says

    November 06, 2023 at 9:55 pm

    5 stars
    I would like to try this but how much tomato paste do you add?
    Thank you

    Reply
    • Susie Weinrich says

      November 07, 2023 at 7:30 am

      1 Tablespoon

      Reply
  4. Rebecca says

    December 29, 2022 at 6:30 pm

    5 stars
    Love the ease in making the sauce. Poured it over bow tie pasta added some mushrooms. Delicious! Thank you for the recipe.

    Reply
  5. Sharon says

    December 13, 2022 at 12:21 pm

    This is delicious.

    Reply
  6. Robyn says

    February 25, 2022 at 10:18 am

    5 stars
    This is our favorite restaurant sauce and I’ve tried multiple times to make it. Your recipe is the easiest and best tasting ever!!! The whole family goes nuts over it. It is delicious!!!

    Reply
Susie in the kitchen with an apron on getting ready to cook

Meet The Author:

Susie Weinrich is a professional food photographer and recipe developer. Her thoroughly tested recipes and step-by-step guides give readers confidence in the kitchen.

YOU will feel like a huge success at dinner time with any of the simple recipes on Mom's Dinner! Read More

Helpful Meal Planning Resources

  • a table with white place settings and green garland
    Easy Meals for House Guests

  • a round table with a large family eating dinner
    30 Easy Meals for a Large Group on Vacation

woman owned small business certificate by Sertify

Amazing New Recipes

  • Dinner plate serving a barbecue bacon cheeseburger with onion rings and curly fries on the side.
    Over-The-Top BBQ Bacon Burger

  • A hand dipping a strawberry into marshmallow fruit dip
    Marshmallow Fluff Fruit Dip

  • Top view of a prepared Veggie Lo Mein in a skillet with snow peas and bell peppers.
    Simple Lo Mein With Veggies

  • Ladle pulling up out of a Dutch oven with creamy roasted tomato basil soup.
    Roasted Tomato Basil Soup

Footer

^ back to top

About

  • Susie Weinrich
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Policy

Contact

  • Sign Up! for emails
  • Contact Me!
  • Join Me On YouTube

Recipes

  • Recipe By Category
  • Instant Pot Recipes
  • Dinner Recipes

Copyright © 2025 Mom's Dinner

Rate & Review This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.