Kittencal's Creamy Tomato Pasta Sauce Vegetarian or Meat Option

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with Kittencal's Creamy Tomato Pasta Sauce, a customizable recipe that lets you choose between a luscious vegetarian option or a hearty meat-filled version. This rich and velvety sauce is made with simple yet flavorful pantry staples, including crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, and aromatic herbs like basil and oregano, creating a perfectly balanced blend of tangy and creamy goodness. Whether you opt to enhance it with ground beef, turkey, or sausage, or keep it vegetarian, this versatile sauce pairs beautifully with any pasta of your choice. Finished with freshly grated Parmesan and a sprinkle of vibrant basil, it's an irresistible dish that's easy enough for weeknights yet elegant enough for entertaining. With a quick prep time of just 10 minutes and slow simmering for maximum flavor, this recipe is destined to become your new favorite go-to for pasta night!

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 pound ground beef, turkey, or sausage (optional, for meat version)
• 0.5 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated (for serving)
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

If preparing the meat version, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground meat and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Drain any excess fat and set aside.

Step 2

Heat the remaining olive oil in the same skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until softened and translucent.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning.

Step 4

Pour in the crushed tomatoes and add the tomato paste to the skillet. Stir until the tomato paste is fully incorporated.

Step 5

Add the vegetable or chicken broth, heavy cream, dried basil, dried oregano, sugar, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir to combine.

Step 6

If using meat, return the cooked ground meat to the skillet and stir it into the sauce.

Step 7

Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 8

Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning as necessary.

Step 9

Serve the creamy tomato sauce over your favorite cooked pasta, such as spaghetti, penne, or fettuccine.

Step 10

Top with grated parmesan cheese and freshly chopped basil. Enjoy your delicious homemade pasta dish!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2040.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2972.8

Total Fat 234.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 110.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 698.1mg	0%
Sodium 4361.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 67.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 14.1g	0%
Total Sugars 36.7g
Protein 134.0g	0%

Vitamin D 47.6IU	0%
Calcium 1582.0mg	0%
Iron 17.4mg	0%
Potassium 3562.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 72.4%

Protein: 18.4%

Carbs: 9.2%