If your soul is craving comfort (and let’s be honest, whose isn’t?), this creamy tomato garlic pasta will deliver all the cozy, creamy, garlicky goodness you need in just 35 minutes. It’s the ultimate weeknight hero—rich and flavorful with just the right amount of kick, and best of all, it doesn’t require a culinary degree or a sink full of dishes.
Whether you’re cooking for Meatless Monday or just want a crowd-pleasing vegetarian creamy pasta that feels like a warm hug, this rigatoni dinner brings it. Think sweet cherry tomatoes simmered into a velvety garlic tomato sauce, made even more luxurious with a splash of cream and a sprinkle of chili flakes. It’s comfort food pasta that’s easy enough for a Tuesday night and delicious enough for a Friday wine night.
Ready to sauce things up? Let’s go!
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta
- Fast & fuss-free: 35 minutes from stovetop to table.
- Packed with flavor: Garlic, cherry tomatoes, and white wine = magic.
- Great for vegetarians: Skip the meat, not the satisfaction.
- That creamy texture! Whether you go for heavy cream or alt milk, it’s rich and dreamy.
- Perfect rigatoni dinner: Sauce clings to every curve.
Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta is a cozy, flavorful weeknight meal that brings rich tomato sauce, golden garlic, and velvety cream together in under 35 minutes. Each bite of rigatoni is coated in a luscious, slightly spicy sauce that balances sweetness from cherry tomatoes with a touch of heat from chili flakes. It’s the perfect vegetarian comfort food—simple, satisfying, and guaranteed to become a regular on your dinner rotation.
Ingredients
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8 garlic cloves, minced
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3 cups (450g) cherry tomatoes, halved
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4 tbsp (60ml) olive oil
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1 cup (240ml) dry white wine
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1 tsp (5g) white sugar
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1 tsp (2g) chili flakes
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2 tbsp (30g) tomato paste
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2 cups (480ml) heavy cream or alt milk (1:1 swap)
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1 tbsp (9g) flour
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½ cup (15g) chopped parsley
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8 oz (225g) rigatoni pasta, cooked al dente
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1 tsp (2g) smoked paprika
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1 tsp (2g) garlic powder
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1 tsp (5g) sugar
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Salt & pepper to taste
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Optional: freshly grated parmesan
Instructions
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Sauté garlic: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and ½ tsp salt. Sauté for 5 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden.
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Cook tomatoes: Stir in cherry tomatoes and another ½ tsp salt. Let cook for 10–15 minutes until soft and bursting.
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Deglaze: Pour in white wine and simmer for 5 minutes to reduce.
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Add flavor: Mix in chili flakes and tomato paste, stirring until combined.
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Make it creamy: Add heavy cream (or alt milk). In a separate bowl, whisk flour with a splash of water and stir it into the sauce to thicken. Simmer gently for 5–10 minutes.
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Season: Add parsley, smoked paprika, garlic powder, sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
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Combine: Toss cooked rigatoni into the sauce and coat evenly.
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Rest & serve: Cover, turn off the heat, and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve topped with parmesan, parsley, and a dash of pepper.
Notes
Resting the pasta lets the sauce absorb for a richer taste.
For dairy-free, use oat or almond milk and vegan butter or olive oil.
Substitute white wine with vegetable broth plus a splash of lemon juice.
Add chickpeas or grilled tofu for protein.
Fresh herbs like basil or thyme enhance flavor beautifully.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop / One-Pan
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
- 8 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 cups (450g) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 4 tbsp (60ml) olive oil
- 1 cup (240ml) dry white wine
- 1 tsp (5g) white sugar
- 1 tsp (2g) chili flakes
- 2 tbsp (30g) tomato paste
- 2 cups (480ml) heavy cream or alt milk (1:1 swap)
- 1 tbsp (9g) flour
- 1/2 cup (15g) chopped parsley
- 8 oz (225g) rigatoni pasta, cooked al dente
- 1 tsp (2g) smoked paprika
- 1 tsp (2g) garlic powder
- 1 tsp (5g) sugar
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Optional: freshly grated parmesan
How to Make Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta
- Start with the aromatics: In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium. Add minced garlic and 1/2 tsp salt. Sauté for 5 minutes until golden and fragrant.
- Add tomatoes: Stir in cherry tomatoes with another 1/2 tsp salt. Let them cook down for 10–15 minutes until soft and juicy.
- Deglaze with wine: Pour in the white wine and let it simmer for 5 minutes to deglaze and reduce.
- Spice and sauce: Add chili flakes and tomato paste, stirring to combine.
- Creamy magic: Pour in the cream (or alt milk). In a separate bowl, whisk flour with a splash of water to make a slurry. Stir the slurry into the sauce to thicken. Simmer for 5–10 minutes, stirring often.
- Season well: Mix in parsley, smoked paprika, garlic powder, sugar, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Pasta time: Toss in your al dente rigatoni and stir gently to coat every piece.
- Let it rest: Cover, turn off the heat, and let it sit for 5 minutes so the flavors meld.
- Top it off: Serve with grated parmesan, more parsley, and a little extra black pepper.
Pro Tips for Pasta Perfection
- Don’t skip the rest period. That final 5 minutes off-heat lets the sauce soak into the pasta.
- Alt milk choices: Go for oat or unsweetened almond milk for a dairy-free twist. Coconut milk works but adds a distinct flavor.
- No wine? Sub with veggie broth and a splash of lemon juice.
- Want extra protein? Stir in chickpeas or toss with grilled tofu for a hearty vegetarian creamy pasta.
- Fresh herbs: Basil or thyme add even more depth.
A Little Kitchen Love Story
I first made this dish on a night when I had a mountain of tomatoes, no dinner plan, and a craving for something that felt like a big bowl of love. With garlic as my guide and a splash of wine for courage (yes, some went in the pan and some in my glass), I created what would become one of my go-to easy pasta recipes.
Now, it’s a comfort food pasta that lives on my regular dinner rotation. Whether I’m having friends over or just feeding myself after a long day, this creamy tomato garlic pasta never lets me down. It’s cozy, delicious, and always feels like a treat.
Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta
- Garlic bread – Obviously. Because there’s no such thing as too much garlic.
- A crisp green salad with vinaigrette cuts the creaminess perfectly.
- Roasted veggies like asparagus or zucchini bring balance.
- Glass of white wine – especially if you used some in the sauce. Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio are lovely.
Or hey, serve it solo. It’s totally the star.
Storing & Reheating Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Reheat gently: Use a skillet on low heat with a splash of milk or water to loosen the sauce.
- Microwave option: Add a bit of liquid before microwaving to keep it creamy.
- Freezing? Not ideal—the sauce texture can change. Enjoy it fresh if you can!
FAQs: Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta Edition
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes! Use gluten-free pasta and swap flour with a gluten-free thickener like cornstarch.
Can I make it vegan?
Absolutely—use olive oil, plant-based milk, and skip the cheese or use vegan parm.
Is this kid-friendly?
Yes—but if they’re spice-sensitive, go easy on the chili flakes.
What’s the best pasta shape?
Rigatoni is ideal, but penne or fusilli work great too for capturing that garlic tomato sauce.
Wrap Yourself in Flavor with Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta
This creamy tomato garlic pasta is everything a comfort food dinner should be: easy, satisfying, and full of bold, bright flavor. Whether you’re twirling your fork through it solo or serving it to friends around the table, it’s the kind of dish that brings smiles and second helpings.
So go ahead, grab that rigatoni, open some wine, and make dinner magic in under 40 minutes. This is your night-in masterpiece.
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