Versatile and easy to make, this velvety Keto Tomato Cream Sauce is destined to become a family favorite.
When my daughter left for college, the hardest part, she confided, was not adjusting to her new surroundings but having to miss home-cooked meals. Faced with greasy cafeteria food and only a tiny microwave to heat up ready-made meals, she would come home on Friday every two weeks practically begging me for “real food.” Of course, I would take that opportunity to spoil her and make three-course dinners and lavish brunches with all her favorites, and among them was this easy but incredibly delicious tomato cream sauce.
Consisting of straightforward ingredients like a can of tomato sauce, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese, this velvety smooth and deliciously creamy sauce not only easily comes together in one pan, but it also lends itself to endless tweaking, both in what you add to it and how you serve it. My daughter loves it with thick pappardelle noodles, a scattering of semi-dried tomatoes, and a bright garnish of fresh basil, but chances are you’ll soon discover myriad ways to make it your own.
Seasoning and serving
The neutral flavors in this basic recipe make it a blank canvas for all kinds of herbs and spices. You could add dried Italian seasoning, for example, but I also love adding a handful of fresh basil as soon as I take the pan off the heat, shortly before I stir in the pasta. If you like some spice, some chopped red chili added in with the onions and garlic would be a good idea. And if it’s smoky depth you’re after, try a dash of smoked paprika powder. Feel free to also experiment with the cheeses. Sometimes, I add mascarpone instead of the heavy cream, but even a flavored cream cheese like Boursin would work well in this recipe.
When it comes time to serve, the sauce is incredibly versatile. Try it over zoodles with shrimp, use it in oven dishes such as baked chicken breast, meatballs, or lasagna (using keto-friendly noodles, of course), and turn it into a soup by adding some vegetable broth. It’s even great in sandwiches and wraps.
How do I store leftovers?
Once cooled, transfer the sauce to an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Reheat the (thawed) sauce over a gentle heat while stirring.
Similar recipes to try
Try serving this sauce with tender Keto Parmesan-Crusted Chicken and a side of Keto Sautéed Broccoli. It’s also great instead of plain marinara sauce in this hearty Keto Lasagna With Egg Noodles or this classic Beef Lasagna.
Keto Tomato Cream Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup white onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 can tomato sauce (15 ounces)
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 2 drops of lemon juice
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add the diced onion and garlic and sauté until soft and fragrant.
- Add the tomato sauce, heavy cream, and lemon juice. Stir until well combined.
- Allow the sauce to simmer over a low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese before serving.
My son and I love this recipe! It’s delicious as written, but it’s also great with pine nuts, artichoke hearts, and/or roasted red peppers.
Happy to hear you all love this recipe! Thanks for reading.