Try this homemade tomato cream sauce recipe, and you’ll never go back to store-bought options again! This sauce has been my go-to for quick, easy meals for years.

spicy tomato cream sauce

Featured Comment: “Not only delicious but so easy and quick! I added 1/4 tsp of Trader Joe’s Spicy Italian Sprinkle seasoning that I’ve been wanting to try and it works perfectly!” – Nicole

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Ready to eat in 20 minutes, it comes together with just seven simple ingredients and is so easy anyone can make it. Plus, it pairs fabulously with everything from pasta to chicken, and you can easily adjust the ingredients to suit your flavor preferences.

For instance, I keep the sauce on the milder side when feeding my kids but add extra chili flakes in my portion to amp up the heat. My family and I aren’t the only ones who love this recipe, either! With a five-star reading and glowing reviews, readers love it, too.

“So simple but delish! I use on chicken breast and any veggies. I’ve subbed marinara for crushed tomatoes, also really good.” – Brit

tomato cream sauce

Spicy Marinara Sauce Ingredients

  • Olive oil – my go-to is extra-virgin olive oil or avocado oil.
  • Garlic – only use freshly minced for the best flavor.
  • Red chili flakes – I like to add 1/4 teaspoon of chili flakes. It gives the sauce a subtle spicy kick without being overly spicy (plus I can serve it to kids). If you prefer more spiciness (or if serving sauce only to adults), feel free to add up to 1/2 teaspoon of chili flakes.
  • Dried oregano – Italian seasoning or dried basil are good substitutes.
  • Marinara sauce – use good-quality marinara sauce such as Rao’s.
  • Heavy cream – I haven’t tested the recipe with a lower-fat substitute so I wouldn’t recommend same.
  • Parmesan cheese – for the best flavor, buy a chunk of Parmesan cheese and finely grate it yourself. Avoid using pre-bagged stuff.
ingredients for spicy tomato cream sauce

Spicy Pasta Sauce Add-Ins

  • Add more spices, such as dried basil or Italian seasoning.
  • For delicious sweet Italian flavor, add fresh chopped basil at the end.
  • For a velvety texture, stir in a tablespoon of unsalted butter at the very end.
  • Love creamy and spicy combo? Try our cajun cream sauce recipe!

How to Make Tomato Cream Sauce

Making this tomato cream sauce is as easy as 1-2-3. It comes together in just three easy steps!

  • Step 1: Heat oil in a deep skillet and add garlic, chili flakes, and oregano. Cook for about 30 seconds or until fragrant.
garlic with spices in a skillet
  • Step 2: Stir in marinara sauce and cream. Add salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 3-5 minutes or until thickened.
tomato sauce with cream in a pan
  • Step 3: Stir in parmesan cheese. Serve immediately or keep stored in the fridge for 3-4 days, after that, it can be frozen for up to 3 months.

How to Use this Creamy Tomato Sauce

Spicy tomato cream sauce is not only made for pasta. It can serve as a base in so many other dishes. Here are some ways to use it:

How to Store Spicy Tomato Sauce

Allow your tomato sauce to cool completely. Then, transfer it to an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen sauce in the fridge overnight when you’re ready to use.

spicy tomato cream sauce recipe

If you try our spicy tomato cream sauce, please leave a star rating and a comment letting us know how you liked the recipe.

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tomato cream sauce

Spicy Tomato Cream Sauce Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 6 reviews
  • Author: Katya
  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 10 min
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4-6 1x
  • Category: Main
  • Method: Saute
  • Cuisine: Italian

Description

Learn how to make this easy spicy tomato cream sauce. It comes together in about 10-minutes with marinara sauce, cream, and chili flakes!


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/41/2 tsp. red chili flakes
  • 1/4 tsp. dried oregano
  • 2 cups good-quality marinara sauce, such as Rao’s
  • 3/4 cups heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large saute pan. Add garlic, chili flakes, and oregano. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds, while stirring constantly.
  2. Stir in marinara sauce and cream. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, slightly reduce heat so it is at a gently simmer, and cook for about 3-5 minutes or until thickened. Keep the pan partially covered.
  3. Stir in Parmesan cheese. Taste for salt and pepper before serving. Makes about 2 cups.

Notes

  • Spiciness: I made the sauce with 1/4 tsp. chili flakes and was able to serve it to my kids. It’s not overly spicy, especially when tossed with pasta or used as a base in other recipes. Feel free to add as much as 1/2 tsp. chili flakes for more spiciness or if serving sauce only to adults.
  • Cream: I only tested the recipe with heavy whipping cream/heavy cream. I haven’t tried half and half or any lower-fat substitutes. If you do try any substitutes for heavy cream, please let me know in the comments below. 
  • Parmesan: For best taste and texture, use only freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Avoid pre-bagged stuff as it won’t melt into the sauce well.
  • Storing Sauce: Sauce will keep in the fridge for about 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Keep stored in an airtight container.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 160
  • Sugar: 3.2 g
  • Sodium: 267.5 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6.3 g
  • Protein: 3.1 g
  • Cholesterol: 19.4 mg