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    Home » Recipes » Sauces, Toppings, Dips and Dressings

    Modified: Feb 9, 2022 · Published: Aug 13, 2020 by Melinda O'Malley Keckler · This post may contain affiliate links · this blog generates income from ads.

    Tomato-Cream Sauce

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Tomato-Cream Sauce is a ridiculously easy scratch made red sauce. All you need is a handful of freshly grated parmesan cheese, a shallot, garlic, half and half and a few cans of fire roasted diced tomatoes. It's ready to serve in about 20 minutes. Spoon it over store-bought tortellini or ravioli and elevate the presentation of a quick meal.

    Note: Some of the links on this page are paid links, Amazon Associates. This means I make a small commission when you click and shop. Your cost is always the same and I only link to and recommend products or ingredients that I use.

    Tomato-cream sauce on top of plain and spinach tortellini.
    This red sauce is scrumptious on tortellini. Just add a little sprinkle of fresh parmesan and you are good to go.

    Ingredients to have on hand

    • shallot 
    • garlic 
    • fire roasted, diced canned tomatoes
    • parmesan cheese
    • half and half

    The Best Red Sauce

    The secret to the flavor and texture with this red sauce is canned tomatoes, but not just any kind. Use fire roasted, canned tomatoes. The fire roasting adds so much rich flavor.

    Fire roasted tomatoes are game changers when it comes to creating a delicious base for your red sauce.

    Shallots and garlic in a pan on the stove, simmering in olive oil.
    The smell of garlic and shallots in olive oil, this is what kick starts your red sauce and creates a beautiful base for the flavor.

    Top Tips and FAQ

    Can I use an onion instead of a shallot?

    Yes! Although onions have a slightly more robust taste than shallots, they come pretty close. And the texture is very similar.

    I recommend using a small yellow onion if you don't have a shallot on hand. Shallots are a bit more mild than onions, so you may notice a slight difference in how the sauce tastes.

    For the best results, dice the onion into very, very small pieces, just as you would if you were dicing a shallot.

    I can't find fire roasted tomatoes, can I substitute for another variety?

    Yes, San Marzano style canned tomatoes are a good substitute, they are naturally sweet and are a close substitute.

    Tomato-cream sauce in a pan on the stove with a wooden spoon.
    Once the sauce is blended, it just needs to simmer for a few minutes. That's it! You're done.

    My family loves this red sauce and I have a feeling this will become your go-to "marinara" for spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna or any pasta dish that needs a red sauce. It's light on the cream, but big on flavor.

    How to Blend the Ingredients

    If you don't have an immersion blender yet, this recipe for Tomato-Cream Sauce is a good prompt to get one. You just might be surprised by how often you use it. It's so handy. I went for years without one and I don't know how I got by without it in my kitchen.

    Tomato cream sauce in a small ball.
    This red sauce tastes as good as it looks. It's thick and delicious on any pasta or even as a pizza topping!

    More Ideas

    Here are a few additional recipes that go great with tomato-cream sauce and a big plate of pasta:

    • Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
    • Blue Cheese Vinaigrette
    • Homemade Meatballs

    KEEP ME POSTED

    Be sure to give a star rating to the recipes you make from the Crinkled Cookbook. I always love hearing from you. Sharing is great too! Use the buttons after the recipe to text it with just one click or send it to family and friends on Pinterest and Facebook. Enjoy.

    Recipe

    Tomato-cream sauce on top of plain and spinach tortellini.

    Tomato-Cream Sauce

    Tomato-Cream Sauce is a made from scratch red sauce easy enough to whip up any time, even on a work night. It's seasoned just right, even though you won't need to re-stock your spice rack to make it.
    4.99 from 67 votes
    Print Rate Pin Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 492kcal
    Author: Melinda O'Malley Keckler

    Equipment

    • immersion Blender

    Ingredients 

    • 1 shallot - sliced and diced
    • 4 cloves garlic - crushed
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 3, 14.5 ounce cans - fire roasted, diced tomatoes
    • 2 teaspoons salt
    • pepper - to taste
    • ⅓ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
    • ¼ cup half and half

    Instructions

    • Heat olive oil in a large saucepan on the stove, add shallot and garlic and cook until softened and fragrant. Add 3 cans fire roasted diced tomatoes, salt and pepper.
    • Cover and simmer for a few minutes.
    • Lower heat and use an immersion blender to combine the ingredients and create a smooth sauce. Return to medium heat and bring to a low boil. Remove from heat, add parmesan cheese and half and half.
    • Serve right away over your favorite pasta.

    Notes

    The secret to the flavor and texture of this red sauce is canned tomatoes, but not just any kind. Use fire-roasted, canned tomatoes. The fire roasting adds incredible, rich and smooth flavor. Want to try something with a little heat next time? Make Spicy Alfredo Sauce for a white sauce with a subtle, spicy kick. 
    Calories: 492kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 8gFat: 50gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 649mgPotassium: 286mgFiber: 6gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 98IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 100mgIron: 2mg

    Please note, the nutrition details are estimated using a food database, so they’re just a rough estimate not an exact science.

    Did you try this recipe? Leave a comment below or @crinkledcookbook on Instagram, snap a photo and tag it #crinkledcookbook

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      4.99 from 67 votes (62 ratings without comment)

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    1. Ramona says

      February 14, 2022 at 2:00 am

      5 stars
      This is the best tomato cream sauce I have ever made! It is so rich and the flavor is amazing. I would love to make this with lasagna. Thank you for sharing this recipe!

      Reply
      • Melinda O'Malley Keckler says

        February 14, 2022 at 7:39 pm

        Thanks Ramona! Let me know how it goes with the lasagna. Yum. Be assured, this pasta sauce is perfectly delicious served on top of tortellini or ravioli. It's a great "go to" sauce even on a busy night. That's my favorite way to serve it.

        Reply
    2. Jeri says

      February 10, 2022 at 5:37 pm

      5 stars
      This sauce was so easy to make and so full of flavor! I used it in my lasagna recipe and it was perfect! Thanks!

      Reply
      • Melinda O'Malley Keckler says

        February 10, 2022 at 8:59 pm

        I'm glad you enjoyed it! Great!!

        Reply
    3. Marcellina says

      February 09, 2022 at 11:15 pm

      5 stars
      Tomato cream sauce is a fav in our house. This recipe using fire roasted canned tomatoes has just stepped this favorite up a notch!

      Reply
    4. nancy says

      February 09, 2022 at 7:24 pm

      5 stars
      this tomato cream sauce is spot on! 100% turn out! my family loves it

      Reply
      • Melinda O'Malley Keckler says

        February 10, 2022 at 7:19 am

        Great to hear! Thank you for letting me know Nancy. 🙂

        Reply
    5. Lindsay says

      February 09, 2022 at 12:02 pm

      5 stars
      YUM! Made this to go with packaged gnocchi and loved how quick and easy it was! Thanks for a great recipe.

      Reply
      • Melinda O'Malley Keckler says

        February 09, 2022 at 5:38 pm

        I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed this Lindsay!

        Reply

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