Name: Colorful Pasta with Tomato, Cream, and Basil Pesto Sauces Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 8 oz pasta of your choice; 1 cup tomato sauce; 1 cup cream sauce (made with heavy cream and cheese); 1 cup basil pesto; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 1/4 cup fresh parsley or basil, chopped; Salt and pepper to taste; Parmesan cheese, for serving

Introduction

This pasta recipe offers a delightful twist with three colorful sauce options: tomato, cream, and basil pesto. It’s a simple way to enjoy vibrant flavors and create a dish that suits your mood or occasion.

The image shows three white bowls on a white marbled surface. The top right bowl is filled with smooth, red tomato sauce with small pieces of cherry tomatoes and sprinkled with white sesame seeds and parsley leaves. The bottom left and bottom center bowls are full of cooked spiral pasta, light yellow in color, garnished with small green parsley leaves. Around the bowls, there are scattered uncooked spiral pasta pieces, a halved orange, whole and halved cherry tomatoes, small white mozzarella balls with black spots, and a small sprig of green basil, creating a fresh and colorful arrangement. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

8 oz pasta of your choice
1 cup tomato sauce
1 cup cream sauce (made with heavy cream and cheese)
1 cup basil pesto
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup fresh parsley or basil, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 2: Choose your sauce: heat the tomato sauce gently in a pan, warm the cream sauce until it’s smooth and creamy, or stir the basil pesto to loosen it slightly if needed.
Step 3: Toss the cooked pasta with your chosen sauce until well coated.
Step 4: Add the halved cherry tomatoes and chopped fresh herbs. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 5: Serve immediately topped with grated Parmesan cheese.

Tips & Variations

Mix and match sauces for a colorful presentation or to please different palates at your table.
Add sautéed mushrooms or grilled chicken for extra protein and texture.
Use gluten-free pasta if you prefer a gluten-free meal.
For a vegan version, substitute cream sauce with a cashew cream and skip the Parmesan or use a vegan alternative.

Storage

Store leftover pasta with sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of water or cream to loosen the sauce if it has thickened.

How to Serve

The image shows three white bowls filled with different types of uncooked pasta and one white bowl filled with bright red tomato sauce topped with small white cheese pieces and green herbs. The top left bowl contains spiral pasta, pale yellow and smooth, with a few green leaves on top. The bottom left bowl has twisted pasta with a similar yellow color, scattered with a few small green leaves. The bottom right bowl holds a different kind of twisted pasta, also pale yellow, mixed with small green herbs. Around the bowls are scattered pieces of dry pasta, a few small red cherry tomatoes, some white balls with black spots, and one orange half, all placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh homemade sauces instead of store-bought?

Absolutely! Fresh homemade tomato sauce, cream sauce, or pesto will elevate the flavor and freshness of this dish.

What type of pasta works best with these sauces?

Any pasta shape works well. Longer noodles like spaghetti or fettuccine complement cream and pesto sauces, while short shapes like penne or farfalle hold tomato sauce nicely.

Colorful Pasta with Tomato, Cream, and Basil Pesto Sauces Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 138 reviews

A versatile pasta recipe featuring three colorful sauce options—classic tomato sauce, creamy cheese sauce, and fresh basil pesto—topped with juicy cherry tomatoes and fresh herbs for a vibrant, flavorful meal.

Author: Nora
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 3 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

8 oz pasta of your choice

Tomato Sauce

1 cup tomato sauce

Cream Sauce

1 cup cream sauce (made with heavy cream and cheese)

Basil Pesto

1 cup basil pesto

Toppings and Seasoning

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup fresh parsley or basil, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
Prepare the Sauces: Warm up the tomato sauce and cream sauce separately in small saucepans over low heat. Keep the basil pesto ready at room temperature.
Combine Pasta and Sauce: Divide the cooked pasta into three portions. Toss one portion with the warm tomato sauce, the second with the cream sauce, and the third with basil pesto to coat evenly.
Plate Each Portion: Arrange each sauce-coated pasta portion on separate plates or combine them as desired for a colorful meal.
Add Toppings: Scatter halved cherry tomatoes and chopped parsley or basil over each portion. Season with salt and pepper according to taste.
Serve: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top and serve immediately while warm.

Notes

You can use any pasta type you prefer such as spaghetti, penne, or fusilli.
The cream sauce can be made by gently heating heavy cream with grated cheese until slightly thickened.
For a fresher pesto, consider making it from scratch with fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan, and olive oil.
Adjust salt and pepper to your taste, especially since Parmesan and pesto can be salty.
Leftover sauce options can be refrigerated and used within 3 days.

Keywords: pasta, tomato sauce, cream sauce, basil pesto, Italian recipes, easy dinners, vegetarian pasta