Creamy Golden Tomato Pasta
If you’re a fan of simple, flavourful pasta dishes, this Creamy Golden Tomato Pasta is about to become your go-to weeknight meal. It’s made with just a handful of ingredients, yet somehow you get this rich, creamy sauce bursting with the sweet golden cherry tomatoes. Unlike heavier tomato-based pastas, the golden tomatoes bring a milder, more delicate taste. I absolutely love recipes that don’t have a laundry list of ingredients and this is sure one of them.
Not only is this recipe fast and easy to whip up in under 20 minutes, but it’s also versatile. You can make it your own by adjusting the ingredients or garnishes to suit your taste. Plus, the bright yellow hue of the sauce adds a beautiful, summery touch to your plate, making this dish feel special without requiring much effort. Whether you’re cooking for your family or entertaining guests, this pasta is always a hit!
Step-by-Step Guide to Make Single Serve Alfredo Pasta:
1. Cook the Pasta:
In a large pot, bring water to a boil and heavily salt it. Add ½ lb of pasta (I recommend long pasta like spaghetti or linguine). Cook until al dente according to package instructions, usually around 8-10 minutes. Reserve about ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
2. Sauté the Garlic:
While the pasta cooks, heat a generous amount of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add 2-3 whole garlic cloves and sauté until they are lightly golden, about 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to burn them—golden is key! Remove the garlic cloves from the pan. (You can mash them into the sauce later for extra flavour, or leave them out for a milder garlic taste.)
3. Cook the Tomatoes:
Add around 1.5 cups of golden cherry tomatoes to the same pan. Sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes start to soften and break down. Season with salt and pepper. Use a fork or spoon to gently mash the tomatoes, releasing their juices to form a sauce.
4. Add the Cream:
Lower the heat to medium-low and pour in ¼ cup of heavy cream. Stir until everything is combined and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
5. Combine Pasta and Sauce:
Add your cooked pasta directly into the pan with the tomato-cream sauce. Toss everything together, adding a splash of the reserved pasta water to help the sauce cling to the pasta. Stir until the pasta is fully coated and has absorbed the flavours of the sauce.
6. Finish with Garnishes:
Serve your creamy golden tomato pasta topped with fresh basil leaves and lots of grated parmesan cheese. Enjoy immediately!
Substitutions:
- Tomatoes: If you can’t find golden cherry tomatoes, red cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes work just as well.
- Heavy Cream: For a lighter version, you can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or even a non-dairy alternative like coconut cream (though the flavour will slightly change).
- Garlic: If you prefer a stronger garlic flavor, mince the garlic instead of using whole cloves. You can also leave the garlic in the sauce rather than removing it after browning.
- Pasta: While long pasta like spaghetti or linguine works great, you can substitute with short pasta like penne or rigatoni for a heartier texture. Gluten-free pasta is also a great option for those with dietary needs.
- Cheese: If you’re out of parmesan, pecorino romano or even a sprinkle of nutritional yeast (for a dairy-free option) will provide that salty, umami flavor.
How to Store and Reheat:
If you have leftovers, here’s how to store and reheat it properly:
- Storage: Allow the pasta to cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, add a splash of water or cream to the pasta before microwaving or reheating on the stove. This helps revive the creaminess of the sauce, preventing it from drying out.
- Freezing: Cream-based sauces typically don’t freeze well as the texture can become grainy when reheated. It’s best to enjoy this dish fresh or within a few days from the fridge.
If You Liked This Dish You May Also Like:
Garlic Confit Pasta alla Vodka
As always, if you try this recipe out please tag me on social! Nothing makes me happier than seeing you make these recipes <3
Creamy Golden Tomato Pasta
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups golden cherry tomatoes
- 2-3 cloves garlic
- Olive oil
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- ½ lb pasta
- Salt pepper
- Garnish: basil & parmesan
Instructions
- Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
- In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add whole garlic cloves and sauté until lightly golden, then remove. Option to mash this up and add back into the sauce later or just keep the garlic-infused oil for a more mild garlic flavour.
- Add golden cherry tomatoes to the pan. Sauté for 5 minutes until they begin to break down. Mash with a spoon and season with salt and pepper.
- Stir in heavy cream and mix well. Lower the heat to medium-low.
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce. Stir, adding reserved pasta water to help it combine.
- Garnish with fresh basil and parmesan. Serve immediately!
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