Creamy Tomato Pasta Recipe: Easy, Affordable, and Delicious

Learn how to make a comforting creamy tomato pasta that’s both budget-friendly and packed with flavor. This recipe is simple to prepare and perfect for meal prepping.

Key Takeaway

Discover the secrets to making a creamy tomato pasta that’s rich in flavor yet easy on the wallet. Ideal for meal prep, this dish offers a satisfying and nutritious option that can be enjoyed throughout the week.

Ingredients and Preparation

Ingredients

• Onions: 2 brown or yellow
• Garlic: 6 cloves
• Basil Leaves: 10 grams (plus stems)
• Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons
• Concentrated Tomato Paste: 100 grams
• Sea Salt Flakes: To taste
• Cracked Black Pepper: 20 cracks
• Chicken Stock: 150 milliliters
• Canned Diced or Crushed Tomatoes: 2 cans
• Dried Oregano: 3 grams
• Dried Basil: 2 grams
• Pasta (e.g., penne): 500 grams
• Baby Spinach: 150 grams (optional)
• Light Cream Cheese: 60 grams (optional)
• Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese: For serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Preparation:

• Dice onions finely or thinly slice them into half moons. Grating them for added flavor is optional.
• Grate garlic using a fine microplane or box grater to create a paste.
• Roughly chop basil leaves and set aside with stems.

1. Cooking Process:

• Boil a large pot of salted water for the pasta.
• In a large, high-rimmed pan over medium-high heat, add olive oil and sauté onions until translucent and slightly golden.
• Add garlic paste and sauté for 45 seconds to 1 minute, stirring constantly.
• Stir in tomato paste, sea salt flakes, and cracked black pepper. Cook for 3 minutes.
• Pour in chicken stock to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes.
• Add canned tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, and basil stems. Mix well, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 12 minutes.

1. Cook Pasta:

• Add pasta to boiling salted water. Cook for 2 minutes less than the package instructions suggest for al dente texture.
• Reserve some pasta water before draining.

1. Combine and Finish:

• Remove basil stems from the sauce.
• Add drained pasta directly into the sauce along with a splash of reserved pasta water.
• Optional: Add baby spinach and light cream cheese. Season with sea salt flakes and cracked black pepper.
• Mix thoroughly until spinach wilts and cream cheese melts, creating a creamy texture.

1. Serve and Store:

• Portion into meal prep containers. Optionally, top with Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and cracked black pepper.
• Store in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 5 months.

Cost and Nutritional Breakdown

Creamy Tomato Pasta

Ingredient	Cost Estimate (USD)	Calories (per serving)	Protein (per serving)
Onions	$1	50-60	1-2 grams
Garlic	$0.50	10-15	0 grams
Basil Leaves	$1	5-10	0 grams
Olive Oil	$0.50	40-50	0 grams
Tomato Paste	$1	50-60	2-3 grams
Chicken Stock	$1	10-15	1-2 grams
Canned Tomatoes	$2	60-70	2-3 grams
Dried Oregano	$0.50	–	–
Dried Basil	$0.50	–	–
Pasta	$1.50	300-350	10-12 grams
Baby Spinach	$1	20-30	2-3 grams
Light Cream Cheese	$1	60-70	2-3 grams
Parmigiano Reggiano	$1	30-40	2-3 grams

Note: Costs and nutritional values are approximate and may vary.

Serving and Storage

• Storage: Store prepared creamy tomato pasta in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 5 months.
• Reheating: Reheat in the microwave or stovetop until heated through. Can be enjoyed cold as well.
• Optional Additions: Customize with additional vegetables or proteins to suit personal preferences.

Enjoy this creamy tomato pasta recipe as a versatile meal that’s quick to prepare and full of robust flavors. Whether served fresh or reheated, it’s sure to become a favorite for family dinners or meal prep sessions. Experiment with different ingredients to make it your own while keeping it budget-friendly and nutritious.