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One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta

Name: One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 12 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 small onion, finely chopped; 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes; 2 1/2 cups vegetable broth; 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional); Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half; 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese; 1 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped; extra basil leaves and grated Parmesan

By PanPotPlates Editorial TeamPublished Apr 8, 2026 | Updated May 11, 2026

Italian 30 mins onepoteasyquickweeknightflavorfulcomfortfoodmealprep

One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta with measured ingredients, 30-minute timing, 4-serving yield, and step-by-step instructions for one-pot, one-pan, skillet, casserole, and sheet-pan recipes.

Prep 10 min

Cook 20 min

Total 30 min

Servings 4

Difficulty easy

Cuisine Italian

Ingredients

Servings 4

12 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
2 1/2 cups vegetable broth
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
Optional garnish
extra basil leaves and grated Parmesan

Ingredients for One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta

Instructions

In a large deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat.
Add the onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
Stir in minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir well to combine.
Add the dry pasta to the pot and push down so it is mostly submerged in the liquid. Season with salt and pepper.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and most liquid is absorbed.
Lower heat and stir in the heavy cream followed by the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is creamy and smooth.
Remove the pot from heat and fold in the chopped fresh basil.
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes if desired.
Serve immediately garnished with extra basil and Parmesan if desired.

One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta cooking in the recommended pan or pot

Tips

Pan Or Pot Required

For the perfect One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta , use a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven.

Cookware Size Guidance

This One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta serves 4 and requires a large deep skillet or a 4 to 5-quart Dutch oven.

Cookware Swap Guidance

This recipe is optimized for a One-Pot Pasta approach using a deep skillet or Dutch oven for consistent heat and ample space to cook the pasta and sauce together.

Leftovers Quality

Reheat gently and add a splash of liquid when needed to keep the texture moist and tender.

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One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta

Recipe Details

Ingredients

Instructions