Recipe Finder blog
Comfort Pasta: Creamy Tomato & Pea in 20 Minutes
Whip up a creamy tomato and pea pasta in 20 minutes. Simple, comforting, and perfect for two.
Why this recipe works
Comfort Pasta is a quick, creamy tomato and pea dish that serves two. It’s ideal for weeknights, small households, or anyone who wants a cozy pasta with minimal fuss.
- creamy tomato pasta
- peas and pasta
- weeknight pasta recipe
- simple cream sauce pasta
- pasta with cherry tomatoes
- two-serving pasta
- easy comfort food
Key takeaways
Uses common pantry ingredients
Creamy sauce without fuss
Freezer-friendly leftovers when scaled
Recipe guide
Comfort Pasta is a quick, creamy tomato and pea dish that serves two. It’s ideal for weeknights, small households, or anyone who wants a cozy pasta with minimal fuss.
A creamy, cozy pasta you can make in one pan.
- Uses common pantry ingredients
- Creamy sauce without fuss
- Freezer-friendly leftovers when scaled
1) Prep and cook pasta
Cook pasta in salted water until al dente, reserving 120 ml of pasta water. Drain and set aside.
2) Build the sauce with tomatoes and peas
Sauté garlic in olive oil, add cherry tomatoes until soft, then stir in peas.
3) Finish and serve
Lower heat, melt cream cheese and Parmesan with cream, season, then toss with pasta and loosen with reserved water. Finish with herbs.
Ingredients
- 200 g dried pasta (eg fusilli or penne)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 100 g cherry tomatoes, halved
- 50 g frozen peas
- 100 ml heavy cream
- 30 g grated Parmesan
- 30 g cream cheese
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh basil or parsley
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente, reserving about 120 ml (1/2 cup) pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and add minced garlic; sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Add halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook until they soften and begin to release juices, 3–4 minutes.
- Stir in frozen peas and cook 1–2 minutes until heated through.
- Lower heat and add heavy cream, cream cheese, grated Parmesan, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using; stir until cheeses melt and sauce is smooth.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time to loosen the sauce to desired consistency.
- Taste and adjust seasoning, then remove from heat and stir in chopped basil or parsley.
- Divide between two plates and serve immediately.
FAQs
Can I double the recipe?
Yes—adjust portions to serve more; scale ingredients evenly.
Can I halve or double the recipe?
Yes. You may need a larger pan and a splash more pasta water to loosen the sauce.
How should I store and reheat leftovers?
Storing: refrigerate in an airtight container up to 3 days; reheat gently with a splash of water.