Tomato and Mascarpone Sauce

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Rich and creamy with balanced tomato flavor
• Quick and easy to prepare
• Perfect for pasta, ravioli, or gnocchi
• Uses simple pantry ingredients
• Smooth and velvety texture
• Family-friendly and comforting

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Olive oil
• Garlic
• Onion
• Crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
• Mascarpone cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Fresh basil
• Red pepper flakes optional
• Pasta of choice

Directions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add chopped onion and cook until softened.
3. Stir in minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
4. Add crushed tomatoes and Italian seasoning.
5. Simmer the sauce for several minutes to develop flavor.
6. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the mascarpone cheese until smooth.
7. Add Parmesan cheese and mix well.
8. Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired.
9. Toss the cooked pasta into the sauce until evenly coated.
10. Garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan before serving.

Servings and timing

• Servings: 4
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes

Variations

• Add grilled chicken or shrimp for extra protein.
• Use cherry tomatoes for a fresher flavor.
• Stir in spinach or kale for added greens.
• Add mushrooms for extra texture and richness.
• Use vodka sauce as a base for a deeper flavor.
• Make it spicy with additional red pepper flakes.

Storage/Reheating

Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water, cream, or milk if the sauce thickens too much during storage.

FAQs

What is mascarpone cheese?

Mascarpone is a soft Italian cream cheese with a rich and creamy texture.

Can I use cream cheese instead of mascarpone?

Yes, though the flavor will be slightly tangier and less rich.

What pasta works best with this sauce?

Penne, fettuccine, spaghetti, ravioli, and gnocchi all pair well.

Can I make this sauce ahead of time?

Yes, the sauce can be prepared ahead and reheated gently before serving.

Is this sauce spicy?

No, but you can add red pepper flakes for heat.

Can I freeze tomato and mascarpone sauce?

Yes, though the texture may slightly change after thawing because of the cheese.

How do I keep the sauce creamy?

Use low heat when adding mascarpone to prevent separation.

Can I make this sauce vegetarian?

Yes, it is naturally vegetarian if made with vegetarian Parmesan cheese.

What herbs go well with this sauce?

Basil, oregano, parsley, and thyme all complement the flavors well.

Can I use fresh tomatoes?

Yes, peeled and cooked fresh tomatoes can replace canned tomatoes.

Conclusion

Tomato and Mascarpone Sauce is a creamy and flavorful pasta sauce that transforms simple ingredients into a comforting and elegant meal. With its velvety texture and rich tomato flavor, this versatile sauce pairs beautifully with many types of pasta and makes an easy yet impressive addition to your dinner table.

Tomato and Mascarpone Sauce

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Tomato and Mascarpone Sauce is a creamy and comforting pasta sauce that blends rich tomatoes with smooth mascarpone cheese for a velvety finish. Quick to prepare and full of flavor, this elegant sauce is perfect for cozy pasta dinners or simple weeknight meals.

• Author: Laura
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 12 ounces pasta of choice

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped onion and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until softened.
3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
4. Add the crushed tomatoes and Italian seasoning.
5. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes to develop flavor.
6. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the mascarpone cheese until smooth and fully combined.
7. Add the Parmesan cheese and mix well.
8. Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired.
9. Toss the cooked pasta into the sauce until evenly coated.
10. Garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan before serving warm.

Notes

• Use low heat when adding mascarpone to keep the sauce smooth and creamy.
• Grilled chicken, shrimp, or mushrooms make excellent additions.
• Fresh tomatoes can be used instead of canned tomatoes for a lighter flavor.
• Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Add a splash of milk, cream, or pasta water when reheating if the sauce thickens.
• Penne, fettuccine, ravioli, and gnocchi all pair well with this sauce.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 480 kcal
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 710 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg