Tomato Mascarpone Pasta
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This Tomato Mascarpone Pasta combines blistered cherry tomatoes, garlic, shallot, basil, and creamy mascarpone with tender Gemelli pasta. Cooking the tomatoes until they blister concentrates their sweetness before the mascarpone turns them into a silky tomato cream sauce. Ready in 25 minutes, this cherry tomato mascarpone pasta is a flavorful vegetarian meal made with a handful of fresh ingredients.
If you love this recipe, you should try my Angel Hair Pasta Recipe.
Quick Look: Tomato Mascarpone Pasta
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Dietary Info: Vegetarian
- Method: Stovetop tomato sauce + pasta toss
- Technique: Blister the cherry tomatoes with garlic and shallot, melt mascarpone and Parmigiano into the tomatoes over low heat, then toss with al dente Gemelli and reserved pasta water.
- Flavor/Texture: Creamy, silky, tomato-rich, lightly sweet, savory
A Fresh Tomato Favorite
I love this pasta because it lets ripe cherry tomatoes do most of the work. Cooking them until they blister concentrates their sweetness and gives the sauce more depth before the mascarpone is added. The mascarpone creates a silky texture without needing a heavy cream sauce, while fresh basil keeps the finished pasta bright. Gemelli is one of my favorite shapes for this sauce because its twisted strands catch the creamy tomato sauce in every bite.
This recipe is perfect for summer with all the fresh cherry tomatoes! For more summer cooking inspiration, check out my Italian Summer Recipes.
Made With Amore,
“I made this recipe twice last week–the first time because we have so many delicious cherry tomatoes in our garden ripening right now. The second time because we LOVED this pasta dish! It was so easy to make, and sooo delicious!”
– Suzette
Table of Contents
- Quick Look: Tomato Mascarpone Pasta
- A Fresh Tomato Favorite
- Simple Ingredients
- Variations & Substitutions
- How to Make Gemelli Pasta with Tomato Mascarpone
- Blistered Tomato Mascarpone Pasta FAQs
- Serving Suggestions
- Recipe Tips
- More Pasta Recipes Featuring Tomatoes
- Creamy Gemelli Pasta with Tomato Mascarpone Sauce Recipe
Simple Ingredients
Fresh cherry tomatoes, creamy mascarpone, and a few Italian pantry staples come together to make this rich and fresh tomato pasta.
- Gemelli Pasta: The twisted shape holds onto the creamy tomato sauce and works well with the blistered tomatoes.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Cooking the tomatoes until blistered concentrates their natural sweetness and builds flavor for the sauce.
- Mascarpone Cheese: Creates a silky, creamy tomato sauce with a slightly sweet flavor.
- Garlic and Shallot: Build a savory aromatic base that complements the tomatoes.
- Parmigiano and Fresh Basil: Add savory depth and a fresh finish.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations & Substitutions
- Pasta: Use another short pasta shape such as fusilli, penne, or rigatoni if you don’t have Gemelli.
- Tomatoes: Grape tomatoes can be used in place of cherry tomatoes. Choose ripe tomatoes for the best flavor. If you have extra garden tomatoes, make my Tomato Focaccia!
- Cheese: Ricotta can replace mascarpone, although the sauce will have a slightly different texture and flavor. You’ll love this Easy Meatless Baked Ziti Recipe with Ricotta Cheese.
- Heat: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic for a little heat.
How to Make Gemelli Pasta with Tomato Mascarpone
This recipe comes together in one skillet by blistering the tomatoes first, then turning them into a creamy sauce before tossing everything with al dente pasta. Follow the step-by-step photos and see the recipe card at the bottom for a printable version.
- Heat a large sauce pan or large skillet medium. Add olive oil, garlic and cherry tomatoes. Cook at medium-high heat until tomatoes are roasted and blistered.
- When the tomatoes are done cooking, turn heat to low and add mascarpone cheese. Stir until cheese is melted. Add parmigiano cheese and stir until smooth and combined. Stir in fresh basil.
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water. Boil pasta until al dente package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Lastly, drain the pasta and add to the prepared sauce. Add reserved pasta water and toss to combine. let sauce coat the pasta. Top with fresh basil leaves and extra parmigiano cheese.
Blistered Tomato Mascarpone Pasta FAQs
Yes. Gemelli works especially well because its twisted shape holds onto the creamy sauce, but you can use other short shapes such as fusilli, penne, or rigatoni.
Mascarpone creates the creamy texture, while reserved pasta water helps loosen the sauce and allows it to coat the pasta evenly. Add the mascarpone over low heat so it melts smoothly into the tomatoes.
Blistering the tomatoes softens them and concentrates their natural sweetness before they become part of the sauce. The browned and softened tomatoes also add more depth than simply warming them through.
Fresh cherry tomatoes are an important part of this recipe because blistering them creates the signature flavor and texture. If you need to use canned tomatoes, the sauce will work, but the finished pasta will have a different flavor and texture.
After the pasta cools, store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-5 days.
Serving Suggestions
I love serving this tomato mascarpone pasta as a main after enjoying an appetizer such as my Salami Cups or Eggplant Caponata. For a hearty meal, serve it alongside Crispy Baked Cod, Breaded Chicken Cutlets, or another simple protein, and a vegetable such as Italian Flat Green Beans .
My Pro Tips
Recipe Tips
- Let the tomatoes blister well before adding the mascarpone so their natural sweetness and flavor become concentrated.
- Lower the heat before adding the mascarpone so the cheese melts smoothly into the warm tomato mixture.
- Reserve the pasta water before draining. Its starch helps loosen the mascarpone sauce and helps it cling to the Gemelli.
- Cook the pasta al dente. Learn more on how to do so in my How to Cook Pasta Perfectly post.
- Toss the pasta with the sauce before serving so the creamy tomato sauce coats the Gemelli instead of sitting only on top.
More Pasta Recipes Featuring Tomatoes
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Creamy Gemelli Pasta with Tomato Mascarpone Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 lb gemelli pasta, or other short pasta
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 shallot, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 8 ounces mascarpone cheese
- ¼ cup Parmigiano or parmesan cheese, more for serving
- 5 leaves fresh basil
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat a large sauce pan or large skillet to medium heat. Add olive oil, garlic, and shallots. Let them get fragrant for 15-30 seconds in the oil Add the cherry tomatoes. Let cook at medium high heat until tomatoes are roasted and blistered.
- When the tomatoes are done cooking turn heat to low and add mascarpone cheese. Stir until cheese is melted. Add parmigiano cheese and stir until smooth and combined.
- Cook your pasta in a large pot of salted water. Boil pasta until al dente package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Lastly, drain pasta and add to the prepared sauce. Add reserved pasta water and toss to combine. Stir in basil leaves. Let sauce coat pasta. Top with extra parmigiano cheese and fresh ground black pepper. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Let the tomatoes blister well before adding the mascarpone so their natural sweetness and flavor become concentrated.
- Lower the heat before adding the mascarpone so the cheese melts smoothly into the warm tomato mixture.
- Reserve the pasta water before draining. Its starch helps loosen the mascarpone sauce and helps it cling to the Gemelli.
- Cook the pasta al dente. Learn more on how to do so in my How to Cook Pasta Perfectly post.
- Toss the pasta with the sauce before serving so the creamy tomato sauce coats the Gemelli instead of sitting only on top.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Love it! Our hostess made it for our monthly gourmet group last week and I couldn’t wait to make it for my family. Super easy and flavorful!
So happy you loved it. It is a recipe we make often since it is supper easy and soooooo satisfying.
This was such a delicious recipe!! I made it for me and my husband and we even had some leftovers for another meal. It was filling yet a light dish that I could incorporate some tomatoes and herbs from my summer garden. Your recipes are amazing!!
Thrilled you loved it. Here’s to more Italian recipe for your summer table (and beyond)!
I made this recipe twice last week–the first time because we have so many delicious cherry tomatoes in our garden ripening right now. The second time because we LOVED this pasta dish! It was so easy to make, and sooo delicious!
Thank you so much for all of these fantastic recipes! My family honestly loves everything I make from your site!!
We are also making this weekly with all the tomatoes our neighbors gift us! You are lucky to have your own garden. I need to do that sometime since we have the space- we just have a deer problem in our neighborhood and they eat everything, ha!
I hope you enjoy all the yummy recipes that are to come! Best, Elena
Super easy and fast to make. Delicious!
Happy you loved it!
My vegetarian husband loves this dish. Easy to make and so much flavor!
So happy he loved it!! It is an easy and wonderful recipe.
I’ve made this dish twice now after finding it 3 weeks ago. We’ve just used the small pasta we’ve had on hand. What makes this dish is the sauce. The so simple, not overly seasoned, beautifully creamy, sauce. My husband always complains that you can’t find good Italian in the states. Nothing is like what his grandma used to make. But this dish, he said was the best pasta he’s ever had. So simple and so delicious. A must try!
That is a huge complement! I grew up in Italy and my passion is to share recipes that are simple and reflect true Italian cooking. Enjoy many more. All the best, Elena.
I made this recipe last night it is delicious! Very easy to make simple ingredients using the small tomatoes and letting them blister gives a delicious fresh flavour and of course the mascarpone gives it that silky creamy texture. I ate far too much!!
I would highly recommend it for family and friends
Thank you, I am happy you loved the recipe. It is so easy to make!
You will love this recipe!! It is easy and super delicious with lots of flavor. Enjoy.