Creamy Tomato Sauce is another winner pasta recipe in my kitchen. My kiddo’s love it and we make it quite often.
The pasta sauce used for this recipe is a cream cheese tomato sauce and it is creamy, rich, thick (coats the pasta well) & super delicious. I add broccoli with my pasta as not only it is my lil ones favorite veggie but also this combination tastes great and the rich broccoli green color compliments the orange sauce color, making it even more appetizing. Recently tried this pasta dish in Instant pot and totally loved the results and the convenience of one pot cooking. For making in Instant pot, I prefer cooking the pasta with tomato sauce first and then adding the creamy components and broccoli and letting the steam cook the broccoli. This gives the perfect result where the broccoli is not overcooked but perfectly al dente with its green color maintained.
Ingredients
You just need a few ingredients to make this delicious tomato sauce pasta Cream - For creamy texture of this recipe I’m using a combination of cream-cheese and heavy whipping cream. I find these two gives the required thickness and perfect texture that we like. But like most of my recipes, this one is highly customizable and you could use either one of these too. Tomato Sauce - I’m using store bought tomato sauce but tomato puree or your favorite marinara sauce can used instead as well. Broccoli - My lil one loves broccoli with her pasta so this is our favorite veggie. Spinach or kale can be added with it or in place of it. Aromatics and spices - We can’t forget these core ingredients, onions, minced garlic, and seasonings (just the basics). That’s all you need, so now lets make it!!
Can I make creamy tomato pasta sauce Vegan
Yes, simply replace the butter with olive oil, cream cheese with vegan cream cheese and cream with coconut cream.
How to make creamy tomato sauce pasta with Broccoli
You can make this recipe as a one pot meal using instant pot or on stove top cooking the sauce and pasta seperate and then mixing the two . Both ways it turns out delicious!! Please refer to the recipe card for stove top instructions. Below are the step by step using Instant Pot.
Step by Step using InstantPot:
Start the Instant Pot on saute mode and to it add the butter. Once butter is melted add the garlic, bay leaf and onions and saute until the onions are translucent. Deglaze with 2 tablespoon water if required. Switch off the instant pot, add in the seasoning (dry parsley, Italian seasoning, dry oregano, red chili flakes, salt & pepper). Stir for couple of seconds until the spices are fragrant (caution not to burn them). Add the pasta spreading evenly followed by tomato sauce, 2 cups of water or vegetable stock, Stir and press the pasta to be under water. Close the Instant pot lid with vent to sealing and cook for 5 mins. Once done cooking, do a quick release after 5 mins.
Give the pasta a mix and add in the cream cheese, broccoli, mix slightly and close the lid for 10-15 mins. The steam from the cooked pasta is sufficient to cook the broccoli al dente and melt the cream cheese. Alternately to quicken this wait, boil the broccoli separately and add to the pasta at the end.
Open the lid, give everything a good mix. Add in some cream and water/broth to adjust the consistency of pasta sauce (if needed). This pasta will absorb all moisture as it sits which can make pasta soft and the sauce to dry/thicken. If this happens, adjust the consistency with broth or cream. Our delicious creamy tomato sauce pasta with Broccoli is ready!! Serve hot topped with some grated parmigiano-reggiano and freshly cracked black pepper and red pepper (optional). Enjoy with Garlic Bread
More one pot Pasta recipes to try:
Taco Pasta Creamy Garlic Pasta with veggies Beet and Carrot Mac and cheese Lentil Bolognese Pasta Hope you enjoy this Creamy Tomato Sauce Pasta with Broccoli as much as we do!! If you give this recipe a try, we did love to hear from you ❤️ Please let us know your rating ⭐️and feedback in the comments below. Thank you!
Recipe Card
Happy Cooking!! Shweta
