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    You are here: Home / Recipes / Pasta

    Easy Tomato Cream Sauce

    Published: Apr 22, 2020 · Modified: Feb 24, 2022 by Susie Weinrich · This post may contain affiliate links. 3 Comments

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    Spaghetti in a white bowl with creamy tomato sauce

    Tomato Cream Sauce is the perfect pasta sauce recipe to use when you want a little change from traditional marinara, but not a lot of extra work. It is SO easy to make. This recipe is made from your favorite jarred marinara sauce mixed with cream, milk, onions, garlic and spices.

    A bowl of pasta 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.

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

    Table of Contents hide
    1 Gluten Free Pasta Sauce
    2 How to Make Tomato Cream Sauce
    3 Serving
    4 Make it a Meal
    5 More Pasta Sauce Recipes
    6 Did you make this recipe?!
    7 Easy Tomato Cream Sauce Recipe

    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.

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

    How to Make Tomato Cream Sauce

    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

    Note- while the sauce cooks you can cook the pasta in a separate pot.

    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.

    Pour in 1 cup heavy whipping cream and ½ cup milk (I reccommend 2% or whole milk). Lightly simmer over medium/low heat for about 8 minutes.

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

    Stir in 2 cups of your favorite jarred marinara sauce. Stir until everything is combined and warmed through.

    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 basil.

    Make it a Meal

    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!

    More Pasta Sauce Recipes

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

    • tagliatelle pasta topped with beef ragu and a dollop of ricotta cheese
      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 Weinrich washing produce

    Did you make this recipe?!

    If you make this recipe I would love to hear your review. Pop down to the comment section and connect with me.

    Then sign up for our Weekly Newsletter so you never miss a new recipe!

    Rate This Recipe
    A bowl of pasta with tomato cream sauce

    Easy Tomato Cream Sauce Recipe

    An easy recipe for tomato cream sauce made with your favorite jarred marinara sauce. Perfect served with cooked pasta!
    LISTEN TO THE AUDIO RECIPE WITH THE PLAYER BELOW.
    5 from 15 votes
    Print Pin Rate SaveSaved to Grow
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook 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
    Prevent your screen from going dark while you are cooking!

    Instructions

    • In a pot over medium/low heat add 1 tablespoon olive oil, soften ½ cup diced onion and 3 chopped garlic cloves, it will take about 5-8 minutes.
    • Add in the 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, pinch red pepper flakes and 1 tablespoon tomato paste. Stir it around the pot until the tomato paste coats the onions and garlic.
    • Stir in the 1 cup heavy cream and ½ cup milk. Lightly simmer over medium/low heat for about 5-8 minutes, until it will coat the back of a wooden spoon.
    • Stir in 2 cups of your favorite jarred marinara until it is completely mixed with the cream mixture.
    • Taste for additional salt/pepper and serve over your cooked pasta.

    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 try this recipe? Connect with me & let me know how it turned out 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

    If nutrition facts are provided they are calculated as an estimate to the best of our knowledge.

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    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!

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    1. Rebecca

      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
    2. Sharon

      December 13, 2022 at 12:21 pm

      This is delicious.

      Reply
    3. Robyn

      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

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