Cheesy Orange Pasta
A creamy, cheesy tomato pasta dish made in under 30 minutes. This easy weeknight dinner is loaded with mozzarella, Parmesan, and a rich tomato cream sauce.
- Prep Time: 5–7 minutes
- Cook Time: 18–23 minutes
- Total Time: 25–30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Pasta, Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American-Italian Fusion
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
1 lb penne pasta
2 ½ tsp salt (for pasta and seasoning)
3 tbsp olive oil
½ onion, diced
5 garlic cloves, minced
1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
2 oz cream cheese
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded mozzarella
½ cup grated Parmesan
½ cup reserved pasta water
½ tsp dried parsley
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp chili powder
½ tsp paprika
Instructions
Cook penne in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water.
In a skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil. Sauté onion until translucent (3–4 mins).
Add garlic; cook until fragrant (30–60 seconds).
Stir in tomato paste and spices; cook 1 minute.
Lower heat; whisk in cream cheese until smooth.
Add heavy cream and reserved pasta water; stir until sauce turns creamy and orange.
Add mozzarella and Parmesan; stir until melted and combined.
Toss in cooked pasta, coat well with sauce.
Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot.
Notes
For a spicy kick, increase chili powder or add red pepper flakes.
Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach for extra veggies.
Swap mozzarella with Gouda or Fontina for flavor variation.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days; reheat gently with a splash of cream or milk.
Find it online: https://allrecipesmade.com/cheesy-orange-pasta/
