10 Best Tomato Pasta Recipes

A tomato pasta is perhaps the most classic, and these are ten of the best tomato pasta recipes I’ve written (so far!) on The Burnt Butter Table. From Italian staples like arrabbiata to a quick 10-minute creamy tomato pasta and a cheesy pasta bake, these recipes are also easy to customise with whatever protein you like. This collection covers all the bases, and I know you’ll find something to add to your repertoire.

Hi! Whether you want a quick weeknight dinner or something a little more special, I think you’ll find something in this list. I’ve deliberately kept it short, just 10 absolute standouts that are varied but equally delicious.

If I can give one quick tip to start, it’s this. When making any tomato sauce, the quality of your tinned tomatoes makes a big difference. I highly recommend using San Marzano tomatoes, the gold standard. Any good Italian brand will work well obviously, just try to use whole tomatoes rather than chopped, they tend to be much better quality. Enjoy!

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Simple Homemade Tomato and Basil Sauce

This is the one I come back to again and again. A simple tomato and basil sauce that proves you don’t need much to make something really delicious. It’s fresh, balanced and the perfect base for so many meals including my ricotta and spinach cannelloni.

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Creamy Tomato Pasta Sauce

If you love a creamy pasta but still want that tomato flavor, this is the one. It’s silky, rich and comes together quickly with just a few ingredients. A perfect weeknight dinner that you can add any vegetable or protein to. One of the most popular recipes on my whole website.

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Pasta Arrabbiata (spicy tomato)

A classic for a reason. This spicy tomato sauce has just the right amount of heat and comes together in no time. Simple ingredients, big flavor and super satisfying.

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Classic Pasta Amatriciana

This is a traditional Roman pasta made with a rich tomato sauce, crispy guanciale and pecorino cheese. It’s one of those iconic Italian dishes that proves simple ingredients really are best, coming together quickly while delivering incredible flavor.

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White plate with spaghetti in a puttanesca sauce. Fork with twirled noodles around it and fresh parsley and parmesan on top.

Spaghetti Puttanesca

Bold, punchy and full of flavor, this is not your average tomato pasta. Olives, capers and anchovies create a sauce that is salty, briny and completely addictive. One of those dishes that tastes far more complex than it is.

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White plate with rigatoni pasta in a red tomato sauce with eggplant cubes, olives and fresh basil. A fork resting in.

Pasta Alla Norma (classic eggplant pasta)

A classic Sicilian pasta that is hearty, comforting and full of flavor. Roasted eggplant combines with olives and roasted red peppers to add depth. It’s a brilliant vegetarian option that still feels really satisfying.

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Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta

This one is all about depth of flavor. Sun-dried tomatoes bring a rich, intense sweetness that makes the sauce feel a bit more special. It’s quick, easy and always a crowd pleaser.

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Tomato Nduja Pasta

If you like a bit of heat, this is such a good one. Nduja (a sausage paste with a kick of chili) melts into the tomato sauce creating a rich, spicy base that coats the pasta beautifully. It’s bold, comforting and packed with flavor.

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Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes

This one feels a little lighter and more elegant. Juicy shrimp, garlic and white wine come together with cherry tomatoes for a fresh, balanced sauce. It’s quick to make but feels restaurant worthy.

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Cheesy Tomato Sausage Pasta Bake

This is proper comfort food. A rich tomato sauce with sausage, topped with plenty of cheese and baked until golden and bubbling. It’s cozy, indulgent and perfect for feeding a crowd.

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Tips for the perfect tomato pasta sauce

Use good quality tomatoes. Try and find tomatoes from San Marzano, they are the best. Any Italian tomatoes will be great, just go for whole peeled tomatoes over chopped as they are often better quality.
Blitz for a thicker, clingier sauce. Instead of crushing tomatoes by hand or with a masher, give them a quick blitz in a food processor. It creates a smoother, slightly thicker base that cooks down into a silkier sauce and clings to the pasta much better.
Let it simmer longer than you think. Even a simple tomato sauce benefits from time. 20-30 minutes lets it thicken slightly and takes the edge off the acidity.
Finish with pasta water. Check out my guide to cooking pasta for the perfect water to pasta ratio so it is nice and starchy. A knob of butter gives a glossy finish at the end too!

I hope you found a new tomato pasta recipe to fall in love with. Whether you’re craving something simple and classic or rich and comforting, these recipes are all tested, reliable and perfect for any night. Happy cooking!