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This creamy cheese pasta is the ultimate weeknight comfort food. It combines a flavorful tomato base with a luscious creamy cheese pasta sauce made from cream cheese and mozzarella. Perfect for those nights when you need something quick, satisfying, and family-friendly.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in 30 minutes, making it one of the easiest creamy cheese pasta recipes you can make.
- One-pan pasta recipe that saves time and dishes.
- The creamy cheese pasta sauce is rich and perfectly coats every bite.
- Family-approved flavor that appeals to both kids and adults.
- Customizable with extra veggies, protein, or spices.
Ingredients for Quick Creamy Tomato Pasta
- Olive oil
- Red onion, sliced
- Garlic, minced
- Cherry tomatoes, halved
- Butter
- Fresh basil leaves
- Tomato paste
- Pasta (penne, fusilli, or your favorite shape)
- Water or broth
- Cream cheese
- Mozzarella, cubed
- Salt and black pepper
- Oregano and parsley
How to Make Pasta With Tomatoes, Mozzarella and Cream Cheese
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic, cherry tomatoes, and butter. Cook for another 3 to 4 minutes until the tomatoes begin to break down.
2. Add salt, black pepper, oregano, parsley, basil leaves, and tomato paste. Stir until well combined.
3. Add pasta and pour in the water or broth. Cover and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
4. Reduce heat to low. Stir in cream cheese until smooth. Add mozzarella cubes, cover, and let melt into the sauce.
5. Toss everything together and serve hot with extra herbs if desired.
Recipe Tips
- For even more creaminess, add a splash of heavy cream. Non dairy cream cheese, mozzarella and heavy cream could be used, but the final result will be different.
- Short pasta shapes like penne, fusilli, or rigatoni work best.
- Fresh basil makes a big difference in flavor.
- Use broth instead of water for a richer base.
- Stir the pasta while it cooks so it doesn’t stick to the pan.
Substitutions and Additions
- Best cheese for creamy pasta: mozzarella is classic, but provolone, gouda, or cheddar also work.
- Cream cheese can be swapped with ricotta or mascarpone.
- Use gluten-free pasta if needed.
- Add veggies like mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini.
- Stir in cooked chicken for a creamy cheese chicken pasta variation.
- If you want creamy pasta sauce no cheese, you can use cashew cream or coconut cream instead of dairy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat with a splash of water or milk.
Not recommended, as cream cheese and mozzarella separate after freezing.
Short cuts such as penne, rigatoni, or fusilli hold the sauce nicely.
Yes. Replace cherry tomatoes with a 400 g (14 oz) can of diced tomatoes, drained slightly.
Storage
- Freezer: Not recommended.
- Fridge: 3 days in an airtight container.
- Reheat: Add a splash of water or milk, cover, and warm gently.
More Creamy Cheese Pasta Recipes and Similar Dishes to Try:
- One Pot Creamy Tomato Chicken Spinach Pasta
- Pickle Pasta Salad
- Garlic Parmesan Pasta with Chicken
- Baked Feta Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes
- Pasta with Cottage Cheese
- Creamy Tuscan Salmon
- Marry Me Chicken Pasta
- Broccoli Pasta Salad with Toasted Feta and Bacon
- One-Pot Chicken and Rice
Creamy Cheese Pasta
Video
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium red onion, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 300 g cherry tomatoes, halved
- 25 g butter
- handful fresh basil leaves
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 250 g pasta, uncooked
- 500 ml water
- 2 tbsp cream cheese
- 100 g mozzarella, cubed
- salt, black pepper, oregano, parsley
Instructions
- Heat olive oil, sauté red onion, garlic, cherry tomatoes, and butter.
- Add salt, basil leaves, tomato paste, spices, and water. Mix well.
- Stir in pasta, cover, and cook until tender.
- Add cream cheese and mozzarella cubes. Cover until melted into a creamy cheese pasta sauce. Serve hot.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
