Creamy tomato pasta sauce without cream. Give your favorite pasta sauce a healthier, high protein twist with this easy idea that’s made to help you eat healthier. It features rich and creamy sauce with paneer blended with tomatoes and red bell pepper (capsicum) without the addition of cream. The subtle hints of oregano adds the final touch for this delicious take on the classic.
Why I Love This No Cream Sauce
This genius pasta sauce hack hides a protein-rich ingredient that consistently wins it a spot in your healthy meals. And that ingenious idea turns your favorite creamy sauce into a ‘no cream’ wonder. Plus, it’s surprisingly easy to make and turns out to be tastier than regular creamy sauces.
Meet the all-new, vibrant counterpart of no-cream white sauce: absolutely delicious and healthier tomato based sauce with hidden protein . At first, it looks like a regular creamy sauce, but, with just one ingredient, it turns into a rich and creamy, high protein sauce. Yes, we are talking about paneer blended with sautéed tomatoes and aromatics. It’s a really good substitute for cream, and sure, you could add any pasta to this sauce.
Key Ingredients In Creamy Tomato Pasta Sauce Without Cream
- Paneer - Also known as Indian cottage cheese, this ingredient makes the sauce protein-rich and healthier.
- Tomatoes - Alongside red bell pepper (capsicum) and tomato paste, this gives the pasta sauce its classic red color.
- Red pepper (chili) flakes - Only for spice lovers.
How To Make No-Cream Creamy Pasta Sauce
Make the tomato base - This no-cream pasta recipe starts with sautéing garlic, onion, tomatoes and bell peppers (capsicum). When the onions are soft and the bell peppers are tender, you can add in tomato paste for that extra vibrant red hue. This mixture gets a quick stir fry for about 2 minutes. To bring everything together and add extra layers of flavor, sprinkle with dried oregano and red chili flakes.
Make puree with paneer - The tomato mixture needs to cool down completely before it goes into a food processor with paneer. The mixture turns into a smooth paste forming the pasta sauce.
Simmer and serve - The paneer tomato mixture goes back into the pan for a quick simmer for about 2 minutes. At this stage, you can also add a little pasta water if the sauce is too thick. Now, all you need to do is toss with your favorite pasta and garnish with parsley or basil. Grated parmesan is also a great garnish option.
Tips
- For the luscious texture of this wholesome pasta sauce, make sure the puree is smooth without any lumps.
- Use bright red tomatoes for the rich color.
- The right amount of paneer with give you the perfect orange hue without adding a drop of cream.
Ingredients
- ▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ▢ 2 garlic cloves chopped
- ▢ ½ cup chopped onion
- ▢ 1 tomato chopped
- ▢ ½ cup chopped red bell pepper (capsicum)
- ▢ 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ▢ 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ▢ 1 teaspoon red pepper chili flakes
- ▢ 100 g paneer (Indian cottage cheese) cut into cubes
- ▢ 350 g your favorite pasta cooked
- ▢ Grated parmesan and parsley to garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat.
- Add garlic. Saute, stirring occasionally, for about one minute or until fragrant.
- Add onions, tomatoes and bell peppers (capsicum). Saute for 2-3 minutes or until the onions are soft and bell peppers are tender.
- Add oregano and chili flakes.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Heat through. Remove from heat. Let the mixture cool completely.
- Add the mixture to a food processor.
- Add paneer and process to a smooth paste.
- Add the paste back to the pan placed over medium-high heat.
- Simmer for about 2 minutes. Add a little pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
- Add your favorite cooked pasta. Garnish.
Video
Notes
- More serving suggestions - Use this pasta sauce as a base for lasagna or pasta bake. Serve with garlic bread, grilled veggies or even green salad.
- Paneer - Use tofu for diary free alternative.
Nutrition
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Check out more pasta sauce recipes:
- Creamy Pasta Sauce Without Cream
- Basic Tomato Pasta Sauce | Marinara Sauce
Ingredients
- ▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ▢ 2 garlic cloves chopped
- ▢ ½ cup chopped onion
- ▢ 1 tomato chopped
- ▢ ½ cup chopped red bell pepper (capsicum)
- ▢ 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ▢ 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ▢ 1 teaspoon red pepper chili flakes
- ▢ 100 g paneer (Indian cottage cheese) cut into cubes
- ▢ 350 g your favorite pasta cooked
- ▢ Grated parmesan and parsley to garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat.
- Add garlic. Saute, stirring occasionally, for about one minute or until fragrant.
- Add onions, tomatoes and bell peppers (capsicum). Saute for 2-3 minutes or until the onions are soft and bell peppers are tender.
- Add oregano and chili flakes.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Heat through. Remove from heat. Let the mixture cool completely.
- Add the mixture to a food processor.
- Add paneer and process to a smooth paste.
- Add the paste back to the pan placed over medium-high heat.
- Simmer for about 2 minutes. Add a little pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
- Add your favorite cooked pasta. Garnish.
Video
Notes
- More serving suggestions - Use this pasta sauce as a base for lasagna or pasta bake. Serve with garlic bread, grilled veggies or even green salad.
- Paneer - Use tofu for diary free alternative.
