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    Home » Recipes » Vegetarian Pasta Recipes

    Jun 25, 2020 · Modified: Apr 6, 2021 by Becca Heyes · This post may contain affiliate links · 16 Comments

    15 Minute Tomato and Mascarpone Pasta

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    Total time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 3 people
    4.94 from 15 votes
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    A quick and easy pasta recipe, made with fresh tomatoes and ultra creamy mascarpone cheese. An irresistible dinner, on the table in 15 minutes!

    A portion of linguine in tomato and mascarpone sauce in a bowl topped with fresh basil.

    Tomato and mascarpone has got to be one of my favourite pasta sauces in the world. Not only is it super quick to make, it only needs a few ingredients - and, of course, it tastes amazing! If you're a fan of tomato sauce, but sometimes want something a bit creamier and more luxurious, this tomato and mascarpone pasta is the perfect quick dinner.

    Tomato and mascarpone pasta in a bowl with fresh basil.

    What is in tomato and mascarpone sauce?

    The above may sound like a silly question, as the two main ingredients in this tomato and mascarpone sauce are pretty obvious. But there's a bit more to it than just tomatoes and mascarpone - when you add a few tasty extras, the sauce becomes something really irresistible.

    It contains:

    • fresh, good quality tomatoes
    • creamy mascarpone cheese
    • looooads of garlic
    • Italian mixed herbs
    • fresh basil
    • plenty of salt and pepper
    • and, if you like, a small spoonful of sugar, to bring out the sweetness of the tomatoes

    A classic combination of simple ingredients = one amazing pasta dish.

    Fresh tomato sauce cooking in a frying pan.

    Start with a simple tomato sauce

    To begin, cook down some fresh tomatoes with plenty of garlic.

    Since this sauce only has a few ingredients, you need to make sure you're using really good quality tomatoes here - the deep red kind that smell like a greenhouse!

    Some recipes are great to cook with cheapy, bargain tomatoes, but this sauce is not one of them.

    I did, however, use lazy garlic (garlic paste), instead of peeling and mincing fresh garlic cloves. I have neither the time nor the inclination for faffing with garlic any more often than I need to (same goes for onions!).

    Just cook the tomatoes and garlic in a pan until they've created a simple, chunky tomato sauce.

    Fresh tomato sauce topped with basil and two dollops of mascarpone cheese.

    Add the mascarpone!

    After adding some dried Italian herbs and plenty of salt and pepper, it's time for the final touches: fresh basil (or fresh parsley works well too), and a couple of good dollops of mascarpone cheese.

    If you're unfamiliar with mascarpone cheese, it's a bit like cream cheese, except it's even creamier and more luxurious in texture - more similar to a thick double cream, really. It doesn't have a huge amount of flavour on its own - just that beautiful creaminess - so it's great for adding to all kinds of sauces.

    As it melts into the tomato sauce, it transforms it into something truly special.

    Ultra creamy tomato and mascarpone sauce in a frying pan.

    Finally, the pasta

    Add some cooked pasta to the pan, and you're all done!

    I love to use tagliatelle or linguine with my tomato and mascarpone sauce - I don't know why, it just feels a bit more special than something more everyday, like penne or fusilli. And this incredible sauce deserves something a bit special. You could even go all out with something as fancy as mafalde!

    I'm sure Italian pasta experts would be able to tell you exactly what shape of pasta is best for this type of sauce, in order to end up with the ideal pasta:sauce ratio, but honestly, whatever you use, it will be delicious.

    Linguine being tossed through tomato and mascarpone sauce in a frying pan.

    15 minute pasta recipe

    This tomato and mascarpone sauce can be made in the time it takes to cook the pasta, so the whole thing is on the table in about 15 minutes!

    I do love a good 15 minute pasta recipe - even at the end of a busy day, I can manage spending 15 minutes on dinner. Just as quick as frozen pizza, and even quicker than ordering a take away.

    (to be honest it usually takes me that long to even browse the menu, let alone actually waiting for delivery...)

    Tomato and mascarpone pasta topped with fresh basil and parmesan cheese.

    How could I adapt this tomato and mascarpone pasta recipe?

    As always, feel free to adapt the recipe to suit your own preferences!

    If you want a bit more protein, add a tin of chickpeas to the pan along with the tomatoes.

    You could add some chilli flakes or smoked paprika if you'd like a bit of heat, and swap the garlic for roasted garlic for a deeper flavour.

    Add extra veggies, serve the sauce with crispy potatoes or grilled halloumi, swap the linguine for tortellini or fried gnocchi...

    With a sauce this easy and versatile, the possibilities are endless!

    A fork taking a scoop of tomato and mascarpone pasta from a bowl.

    How to use up leftover mascarpone cheese

    This recipe only uses a couple of dollops of mascarpone - probably around half of a standard tub (the kind of tub we get here in the UK, at least). But don't let that put you off cooking this recipe, as there are loads of ways you can use up your leftover mascarpone!

    • stir it through a risotto to make it extra creamy
    • smear it onto puff pastry and top with sliced tomatoes, then bake
    • add it to a dessert recipe, such as cheesecake, tiramisu or posset
    • use it instead of cream on top of apple pie, stewed fruit, etc.
    • add a few small dollops to a pizza base before baking, to make an incredible white pizza
    • mix it through any other creamy sauce (e.g. creamy mushroom pasta!)
    • stir it through scrambled eggs as they cook
    • spread it on toast with a good drizzle of honey

    Really, anywhere you'd use cream or cream cheese, try mascarpone instead! But I'd definitely start with this insanely easy tomato and mascarpone pasta. You won't regret it.

    Pasta in tomato mascarpone sauce, in a bowl with fresh basil.

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    A bowlful of creamy tomato and mascarpone spaghetti topped with fresh basil.

    15 Minute Tomato and Mascarpone Pasta

    A quick and easy pasta recipe, made with fresh tomatoes and ultra creamy mascarpone cheese. An irresistible dinner, on the table in 15 minutes!

    If you've cooked this recipe, don't forget to leave a star rating!

    4.94 from 15 votes
    Print Pin Comment
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 3 people
    Calories: 487kcal
    Author: Becca Heyes
    (prevents your screen from going dark)

    Ingredients

    • 250 g (~ 9 oz) pasta (I used linguine)
    • 1 tablespoon oil
    • 500 g (~ 1 lb) good quality tomatoes, diced
    • 4 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 teaspoon dried Italian mixed herbs
    • Salt
    • Black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
    • Few sprigs fresh basil, chopped
    • 2 tablespoon mascarpone cheese
    • Vegetarian parmesan-style cheese, finely grated, to serve (optional)

    Instructions

    • Boil the pasta in plenty of water until cooked al dente, then drain.
    • While the pasta is cooking, heat a dash of oil in a large frying pan, and add the diced tomatoes and garlic. Cook over a medium heat for 5 minutes, until they've cooked right down to create a chunky tomato sauce.
    • Add the mixed herbs, salt and pepper, and sugar (if using). Finally add the chopped basil and mascarpone cheese, and stir until the cheese has melted. It will create a creamy, glossy sauce.
    • Transfer the drained pasta to the pan with the sauce, and mix well. Serve topped with parmesan-style cheese, if desired.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 portion - Calories: 487 kcal - Carbohydrates: 54.9 g - Protein: 12.5 g - Fat: 24.2 g - Saturated Fat: 11.6 g - Cholesterol: 109 mg - Sodium: 82 mg - Potassium: 571 mg - Fiber: 2.2 g - Sugar: 5.8 g - Calcium: 123 mg - Iron: 3 mg

    Nutritional information is approximate, and will depend on your exact ingredients. Please calculate your own nutritional values if you require accuracy for health reasons.

    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @EasyCheesyVeg or tag #EasyCheesyVegetarian!

    If you love a quick and easy creamy pasta dish, you should also try my creamy garlic mushroom tagliatelle!

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    330 shares
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    Comments

    1. Jody says

      July 30, 2022 at 10:21 am

      This is amazing. So simple and quick but tasty!5 stars

      Reply
      • Becca Heyes says

        August 02, 2022 at 2:26 pm

        Thanks Jody!

        Reply
    2. Lariska says

      March 12, 2022 at 12:39 pm

      Easy and delish!! Thank you for sharing5 stars

      Reply
      • Becca @ Easy Cheesy Vegetarian says

        March 14, 2022 at 12:00 pm

        Thanks Lariska, glad you enjoyed it! :)

        Reply
    3. Melissa says

      April 04, 2021 at 6:01 pm

      This is the third time I have fixed this pasta and my family absolutely loves it!  I am going to use roasted garlic instead of the minced to see if it makes the pasta even better but I truly cannot see improving on this recipe at all. It is absolutely delicious.  Thank you for making it so easy to satisfy both my vegetarian daughter and my husband with the same dish!  Your recipes are amazing!  

      Reply
      • Becca @ Easy Cheesy Vegetarian says

        April 13, 2021 at 9:27 am

        Ahh thank you Melissa, that's so lovely to hear. I'm glad it's one your whole family can enjoy together :)

        Reply
    4. Gina says

      February 26, 2021 at 8:28 pm

      I made this for my family today and it was a huge hit !!! Easy, fast and incredibly delicious 
      I did not have a lot of ripe tomatoes ( only 1) so I added some Passata ( strained tomatoes- 1/2 a bottle ) and did the trick 

      Reply
      • Becca @ Easy Cheesy Vegetarian says

        March 01, 2021 at 12:52 pm

        Thanks Gina, glad you enjoyed it :)

        Reply
    5. Emma King says

      January 15, 2021 at 10:52 am

      This recipes is really delicious. The first time I made it I blended it, but left it chunky the 2nd time, and I have to admit that it’s nicer left chunky! Thanks for sharing 😊. Can the sauce be frozen on its own?

      Reply
      • Becca @ Easy Cheesy Vegetarian says

        January 16, 2021 at 9:55 am

        Thanks Emma, glad you like it! :) I haven't tried freezing it, but I think it would probably work ok! Let me know if you try it!

        Reply
    6. Katie says

      December 17, 2020 at 7:38 pm

      Absolutely delicious meal and very quick and easy to make. So convenient when you are busy. Will definitely be making this again, thank you!5 stars

      Reply
      • Becca @ Easy Cheesy Vegetarian says

        December 21, 2020 at 10:08 am

        Thanks Katie, glad you liked it!

        Reply
    7. SlimBern says

      December 05, 2020 at 3:25 pm

      Great recipe. Added mushrooms, onion, and, chorizo. Even Lady Pamela loved it!

      Reply
      • Becca @ Easy Cheesy Vegetarian says

        December 07, 2020 at 10:15 am

        Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    8. Laura Venables says

      July 07, 2020 at 9:30 pm

      Absolutely delicious, and so easy! The whole family, including a 6 year old and 2 year old, loved it!5 stars

      Reply
      • Becca @ Easy Cheesy Vegetarian says

        July 10, 2020 at 9:05 pm

        Awesome, thanks Laura!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Becca! I've been a vegetarian for 20+ years, and unlike most of my other childhood pursuits, I actually stuck with it! I love cooking vegetarian food that's full of flavour, but doesn't take a lot of effort to make.

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    Hi, I'm Becca! I've been a vegetarian for 20+ years, and unlike most of my other childhood pursuits, I actually stuck with it! I love cooking vegetarian food that's full of flavour, but doesn't take a lot of effort to make.

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