Creamy Burst Tomato Pasta Skillet Recipe

Al Dente Pasta Company, whom I’m so pumped to partner & share with you since I’ve been devouring their pasta long before this official sponsorship. All thoughts & opinions are my own. Jump to the tomato pasta skillet recipe

Easy pasta recipes are a family dinner staple in my opinion, so the fact that this creamy burst tomato skillet pasta recipe takes less than 45 minutes with minimal ingredients and tastes bomb makes it a MAJOR dinner winner for over here!

Bursting cherry tomatoes whipped into a simple cream sauce with heavy cream, garlic, and basil, paired with Al Dente’s new Carba-Nada fusilli and chunks of mozzarella… I mean drool. Literally everyone will devour this. Killian even asked for seconds… next time I might toss some baby spinach in here too!

INGRDIENTS

• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 6 garlic cloves minced
• 1 tsp dried basil
• healthy pinch of salt and pepper
• 2 pints of cherry tomatoes
• 12 oz Al Dente Carba-Nada Fusilli or your favorite short-cut noodle
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 (8oz) mozzarella ball sliced into smaller chunks
• freshly minced basil and grated Parmesan for serving
• optional topping: cooked and crispy, and crumbled beef bacon

How to make Creamy Burst Tomato Pasta Skillet Recipe

Step 1:

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the garlic, dried basil, salt, and pepper, then stir and let cook for 1-2 minutes or until fragrant. Stir in the cherry tomatoes, then cover and let cook until bursting, about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 2:

Meanwhile, cook your pasta according to package instructions, then drain.

Step 3:

Once tomatoes are bursting, use the back of your wooden spoon or cooking utensil to smash the tomatoes to create a tomato sauce, then mix in the heavy cream. Reduce heat to medium-low, then let cook until sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes, stirring often.

Step 4:

Next, mix in the cooked pasta noodles, then stir to evenly incorporate everything. Top the skillet with the mozzarella chunks, then cover and let cook until the cheese has melted.

Step 5:

Top pasta with freshly minced basil and grated Parmesan cheese!

Kitchen Equipment Needed

• Large skillet with lid
• Large pot for boiling pasta
• Wooden spoon or cooking spoon
• Knife and cutting board
• Strainer for draining pasta
• Measuring spoons and cups
• Cheese grater (for parmesan)

What to Eat with This Creamy Burst Tomato Pasta Skillet

The Creamy Burst Tomato Pasta Skillet was one of those surprise wins on a Tuesday night when I had zero energy left. I let the tomatoes simmer while I helped my youngest with homework and folded laundry.

One time, I didn’t have plum tomatoes, so I used cherry ones and added a spoonful of tomato paste, worked like a charm. The kids asked for seconds, and my husband actually said, “Babe, this one’s a keeper.”

I paired it with a fresh salad and finished with Apple Banana Buckwheat Pancakes, which I had frozen from the weekend, still fluffy and full of cinnamon. The next night, we used leftovers as a side to our Salsa Verde Chicken and Brussels Sprout Tacos.

Other favorites that go great with this dish are the Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower and Strawberry Yogurt Bark as an option for a quick dessert.

FAQs

What is creamy burst tomato pasta skillet made of?

It’s made of cherry tomatoes, garlic, herbs, cream, pasta, mozzarella, and topped with parmesan and fresh basil.

What does tomato pasta skillet taste?

It tastes sweet from the tomatoes and savory from the garlic and basil.

Can I use canned tomatoes instead of fresh?

Canned cherry tomatoes could work in a pinch.

What’s the best pasta for this recipe?

Short pasta like fusilli, penne, or rotini works great.

Can I make tomato pasta skillet without cream?

Yes.

Is this tomato pasta skillet vegetarian?

Yes, unless you add beef.

Can I freeze the leftovers?

It’s best eaten fresh, but you can freeze it in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

How do I store leftovers?

Place leftovers in the fridge in a sealed container.

Can I add vegetables to it?

Yes, add spinach or bell peppers during the cooking process.

What if I don’t like basil?

You can leave it.