I love how a few simple ingredients can create magic in the kitchen. Using a can of hand-crushed whole tomatoes, heavy cream and fresh minced garlic, my easy tomato cream sauce pairs perfectly with grilled chicken or sautéed shrimp. Every bite feels like a celebration of flavor simplicity.
I’ve always been a fan of recipes that keep it simple, so when i discovered how amazing a Three Ingredient Tomato Cream Pasta Sauce could be, i knew i had to share it! Imagine a sauce bursting with flavor, made with a can (28 oz) of whole peeled tomatoes, roughly crushed by hand, blended with 1 cup heavy cream to give it that smooth, rich texture, plus 2 garlic cloves minced to perfection.
This is one of those best sauce for homemade pasta recipes that not only works quick but impresses every time. It’s the ultimate go-to for quick pasta sauce recipes and easy tomato cream sauce nights.
If you’re looking for that homemade tomato cream sauce that makes a complete meal with grilled chicken or sauteed shrimp, then you gotta try this. It might not be fancy, but it sure is tasty and has the easy, non tomato pasta sauce vibe you never knew you needed.
Why I Like this Recipe
I like this recipe because it’s super easy to put together even when I’m in a hurry. I dont have to worry about loads of ingredients or confusing steps so it’s really stress-free. I love the rich, creamy taste that comes from mixing the tomatoes with the heavy cream and garlic. It makes the whole dish feel really comforting and special. I also appreciate how versatile it is since I can toss in grilled chicken or sauteed shrimp for extra flavor, or just enjoy the sauce with my favorite pasta.
Ingredients
- Tomatoes are packed with fiber and healthy antioxidants.
They lend a natural tang and a bit of sweet flavor that really brighten up the sauce, making each bite feel fresh and light.
- Heavy cream brings a rich, velvety texture to the dish.
It has fat and protein which help create a smooth, indulgent sauce even though it can be high in calories.
- Garlic adds a strong, bold flavor and aroma that really kick the sauce up a notch.
It also comes with some healthy benefits and makes the dish more zesty.
Ingredient Quantities
- 1 can (28 oz) whole peeled tomatoes, roughly crushed by hand
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
How to Make this
1. Grab all your ingredients and set em out so you dont have to scramble later.
2. Open the can of whole peeled tomatoes and roughly crush em by hand in a bowl.
3. Heat up a medium saucepan over medium-low heat and add the minced garlic – keep an eye so it dont burn.
4. Once the garlic is a little fragrant (about a minute), pour in the crushed tomatoes.
5. Stir in the cup of heavy cream slowly, blending it well with the tomatoes and garlic.
6. Let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring every now and then so nothing sticks to the bottom.
7. If the sauce seems too thick, you can add a splash of water from your pasta, but thats optional.
8. Taste the sauce and if you wanna add a pinch of salt or pepper to suit your liking, go ahead, but its pretty good on its own.
9. Toss the sauce with your favorite pasta and mix in grilled chicken or sauteed shrimp if youre addin protein.
10. Serve warm and enjoy this simple, creamy tomato pasta meal!
Equipment Needed
1. A mixing bowl to roughly crush the tomatoes by hand
2. A can opener to open the can of whole peeled tomatoes
3. A medium saucepan to heat up the garlic and simmer the sauce
4. A spoon for stirring the sauce as it cooks
5. A measuring cup to accurately add the heavy cream
FAQ
Three Ingredient Tomato Cream Pasta Sauce Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Whole peeled tomatoes: you could use fire roasted diced tomatoes or tomato puree if you want a smoother sauce
- Heavy cream: try using coconut cream for a dairy free option or mix half-and-half with a little melted butter as a quick swap
- Garlic: if fresh garlic isn’t available, garlic powder or garlic-infused olive oil can work in a pinch
Pro Tips
1. Make sure you dont burn the garlic – if it gets too dark it will ruin the flavor of your sauce, so be careful when heating it up.
2. When blending in the cream, do it slowly and steadily to help the sauce mix better and avoid curdling.
3. If your sauce seems way too thick, add a splash of pasta water to thin it out without diluting the taste.
4. Always give your sauce a taste before serving and add a little more salt or pepper if needed, cuz sometimes the tomatoes can be a little too tangy.

Three Ingredient Tomato Cream Pasta Sauce Recipe
I love how a few simple ingredients can create magic in the kitchen. Using a can of hand-crushed whole tomatoes, heavy cream and fresh minced garlic, my easy tomato cream sauce pairs perfectly with grilled chicken or sautéed shrimp. Every bite feels like a celebration of flavor simplicity.
4
servings
241
kcal
Equipment: 1. A mixing bowl to roughly crush the tomatoes by hand
2. A can opener to open the can of whole peeled tomatoes
3. A medium saucepan to heat up the garlic and simmer the sauce
4. A spoon for stirring the sauce as it cooks
5. A measuring cup to accurately add the heavy cream
Ingredients
-
1 can (28 oz) whole peeled tomatoes, roughly crushed by hand
-
1 cup heavy cream
-
2 garlic cloves, minced
Directions
- Grab all your ingredients and set em out so you dont have to scramble later.
- Open the can of whole peeled tomatoes and roughly crush em by hand in a bowl.
- Heat up a medium saucepan over medium-low heat and add the minced garlic – keep an eye so it dont burn.
- Once the garlic is a little fragrant (about a minute), pour in the crushed tomatoes.
- Stir in the cup of heavy cream slowly, blending it well with the tomatoes and garlic.
- Let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring every now and then so nothing sticks to the bottom.
- If the sauce seems too thick, you can add a splash of water from your pasta, but thats optional.
- Taste the sauce and if you wanna add a pinch of salt or pepper to suit your liking, go ahead, but its pretty good on its own.
- Toss the sauce with your favorite pasta and mix in grilled chicken or sauteed shrimp if youre addin protein.
- Serve warm and enjoy this simple, creamy tomato pasta meal!
Notes
- Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 300g
- Total number of serves: 4
- Calories: 241kcal
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Polyunsaturated: 1g
- Monounsaturated: 2g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
- Sodium: 60mg
- Potassium: 854mg
- Carbohydrates: 9.5g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 6g
- Protein: 3g
- Vitamin A: 1600IU
- Vitamin C: 40mg
- Calcium: 100mg
- Iron: 0.6mg