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Creamy No-Drain One-Pot Tomato Pasta

Creamy No-Drain One-Pot Tomato Pasta - featured image
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A quick and easy creamy tomato pasta cooked in one pot without draining, ready in 20 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, this comforting dish uses simple pantry ingredients and delivers rich, creamy flavor with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1 (28 oz / 800 g) can crushed tomatoes
  • 3 cups (720 ml) vegetable or chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
  • 8 oz (225 g) uncooked short pasta like penne or rigatoni
  • ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream (or coconut milk for dairy-free)
  • ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Handful of fresh basil, torn

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat for about 1 minute until shimmering but not smoking.
  2. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until translucent and fragrant. Watch carefully so garlic doesn’t burn.
  3. Pour in the canned crushed tomatoes along with the broth. Stir to combine everything evenly.
  4. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then add the uncooked pasta all at once. Stir well to separate pasta pieces so they don’t clump together.
  5. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the pan with a lid. Let it cook for 12–15 minutes, stirring every 3 minutes to prevent pasta from sticking to the bottom.
  6. Check the pasta for doneness around minute 12. It should be tender but still slightly firm. If not done, continue cooking another 2–3 minutes, adding a splash of broth or water if the sauce gets too thick.
  7. Once the pasta is cooked, stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until the sauce is creamy and coats the pasta evenly. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
  8. Remove from heat and fold in torn fresh basil leaves for a pop of color and flavor.
  9. Serve immediately while hot.

Notes

Stir the pasta regularly every few minutes to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. Use short pasta shapes like penne or rigatoni for best results. If sauce is too watery after cooking, simmer uncovered for a few minutes to thicken. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. Adjust seasoning gradually to avoid over-salting.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot pasta, creamy tomato pasta, easy dinner, no-drain pasta, quick pasta recipe, weeknight dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://ariaappetite.com/creamy-no-drain-one-pot-tomato-pasta-recipe-easy-20-minute-dinner/