Google's One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A comforting, one-pot pasta dish with a rich tomato-cream sauce, ready in 25 minutes with minimal cleanup. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 35 minutes pairs penne pasta, olive oil, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 620 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 3.8 (15 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 620 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; add 12 oz penne pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat; add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 can diced tomatoes, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1 tsp dried basil, and 1/2 tsp salt; simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened, then stir in drained penne and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Cook for 2 minutes until sauce coats pasta, then stir in 2 tbsp chopped parsley and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan until melted.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Google's One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Google's One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep penne pasta from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Google's One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Google's One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Google's One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta?

Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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