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Closeup of creamy tomato pasta.
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Creamy Tomato Pasta Without Cream

This Creamy Tomato Pasta Sauce (Vegan) is a totally dairy-free pasta recipe made with coconut milk. The simple sauce comes together in minutes with pantry ingredients. With a crispy garlic panko topping, each bite is irresistible!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: dinner, lunch
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: creamy pasta
Servings: 6
Calories: 495kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 lb pasta I used penne but use whatever short pasta you prefer
  • 2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 6 oz can tomato paste
  • 1 14 oz can coconut milk full fat or reduced fat
  • salt
  • Freshly ground pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley or basil chopped optional
  • Hot pepper flakes

Crispy Garlic Breadcrumbs

Instructions

Cook the pasta:

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it. Cook the pasta making sure it's not quite al dente (so about 1 minute less than the cooking time, because you'll be combining in the skillet with the creamy sauce and heating together and it will cook a little more).

Make the tomato sauce

  1. Prep the creamy tomato sauce while the pasta is cooking. Heat 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and let it get fragrant (not even 1 minute).
  2. Stir in the tomato paste with the garlic and oil and combine. Keep stirring until it becomes a dark red color (2-3 minutes). Add in ½ cup of the pasta water and stir.
  3. Add in the coconut milk and stir to combine. Add a teaspoon of salt and pepper.
  4. Let the sauce simmer on medium-low heat while the pasta is cooking (sauce will be simmering for a total 10-12 minutes).

Make the garlic panko breadcrumbs:

  1. When the pasta cooks and sauce simmers, you could make the garlic bread crumbs.
  2. In a separate small skillet, heat the extra-virgin olive oil over medium-high heat.
  3. Add the garlic, breadcrumbs, and salt, and stir to combine. The breadcrumbs will become a nice golden brown and toasted. As soon as they are ready transfer to a serving bowl. Sprinkle on the pasta when ready to serve.
  4. Drain the pasta when it's not quite al dente (reserve ½ cup of the water) and add to the skillet with the sauce. Stir to combine and let it simmer together for 1 minute. If pasta and sauce seems too thick, add a little bit of the pasta water to loosen it up.
  5. Spoon it out onto plate and add on the garlic breadcrumbs and whatever chopped fresh herbs and red pepper flakes (if using). Enjoy!

Nutrition Disclaimer

Please keep in mind that the nutritional information presented below is an approximation and may vary depending on the exact ingredients used.

Nutrition

Calories: 495kcal | Fat: 56g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 41g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 1mg | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 0.3mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @savoringpasta or tag #savoringpasta!