This easy cream sauce for pasta is a simple way to make a rich, velvety sauce when you don’t have a lot of time. It’s also a recipe that’s easily modified for your tastes. You can add protein, vegetables or a little tomato paste to make it a pink sauce (see variations and tips below).
Onion, a generous amount of garlic and herbs add layers of flavor. Toss with warm pasta and serve with garlic bread to get a hot meal on the table fast.
Cream Sauce for Pasta Ingredients
- Pasta: Make bowtie pasta or your favorite pasta shape and cook it according to package directions.
- Olive oil: Use olive oil to cook the aromatics.
- Onion and garlic: A bit of sauteed red onion and garlic add a lot of flavor to the finished sauce.
- Chicken broth and cream: Heavy cream and chicken broth are the foundation of this easy cream sauce for pasta. They are cooked until reduced for maximum flavor and a thick sauce. You can use vegetable broth if you’d like to keep the dish vegetarian. Heavy whipping cream is the secret to the sauce’s silky texture.
- Fresh basil and oregano: Minced fresh basil and oregano will add bright flavor to the sauce. You can use half the amount of dried herbs.
Directions
Step 1: Cook the pasta and reduce sauce
Cook the pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, warm the olive oil over medium-low heat and saute the onion until tender. Add the garlic and cook an additional minute until aromatic. Pour in the broth and sprinkle in basil, oregano, salt and pepper. Bring it to a boil and cook for eight minutes until reduced by half. Stir in the cream.
Step 2: Thicken the sauce and serve
Cook the cream sauce for 8 to 10 minutes more, until sauce is reduced to about 1-1/4 cups. Toss with the pasta and serve.
Editor’s tip: Save a little pasta cooking water to add to the sauce at the end if it needs thinning.
Cream Sauce for Pasta Variations
- Add protein: Precooked chicken or shrimp can be added to the pasta before serving.
- Pretty in pink: Stir in 3 tablespoons of tomato paste when you add the cream for a rich pink sauce with a hint of tomato.
- Finish with a flourish: Sprinkle with fresh minced parsley and your favorite grating cheese just before serving.
How to Store Cream Sauce for Pasta
Store leftover pasta in a covered dish in the refrigerator for three to four days.
How do you reheat cream sauce for pasta?
Gently reheat the cream sauce for pasta recipe in a skillet or microwave. Add a little additional cream, broth or water to loosen sauce.
Cream Sauce for Pasta Tips
How do I maximize the flavor of my pasta?
The first step in flavorful pasta is to generously salt the cooking water. Another tip is to use a spider or sieve to move nearly cooked pasta from the water to the simmering cream sauce just before the pasta is al dente. Finish cooking the pasta in cream for it to absorb some of the flavorful sauce at the very end.
What can I substitute for heavy cream?
The recipe calls for heavy cream for good reason! But, if you are out of cream, milk and butter can be used in a pinch. If you are looking to reduce fat, some readers have had success with fat free half and half. Although, it will not have the same flavor or texture. Here’s a lighter garlic-lemon shrimp linguine to try.
What are some good vegetables to add to this dish?
Peas or baby spinach can be stirred into the sauce to cook during the last few minutes of cooking. Alternatively, mushrooms can be sauteed at the same time as the onions.
