Description
Homemade creamy tomato garlic pasta delivers a luxurious Italian comfort classic packed with rich flavors. Simple ingredients combine to create a restaurant-worthy meal perfect for weeknight dinners you can enjoy with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz (340 g) pasta (penne, fettuccine, or spaghetti)
- 14 oz (400 g) can crushed tomatoes (or tomato sauce)
- ½ cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter option)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter (for extra richness)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil (or 1 tbsp fresh basil)
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
- ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp salt (for boiling water)
- ¼ cup pasta water (reserved)
- Fresh basil, chopped
- Extra Parmesan cheese
- Black pepper or chili flakes
Instructions
- Boil Preparation: Fill a large pot with water, generously salt, and bring to a vigorous boil over high heat.
- Pasta Cooking: Submerge pasta into the roiling water, periodically stirring to prevent adhesion, and cook until achieving an al dente texture.
- Liquid Preservation: Before draining, extract a cup of starchy pasta water to enhance sauce creaminess later.
- Sauce Foundation: In a spacious skillet, melt butter and introduce minced garlic, gently releasing aromatic flavors without scorching.
- Cream Integration: Pour heavy cream and diced tomatoes, whisking consistently to create a smooth, uniform sauce base.
- Cheese Melting: Sprinkle parmesan cheese, seasoning with salt and black pepper, stirring until completely dissolved and integrated.
- Liquid Adjustment: Gradually incorporate reserved pasta water, modulating sauce consistency and deepening flavor complexity.
- Final Assembly: Reunite cooked pasta with creamy sauce, delicately folding to ensure comprehensive and luxurious coating.
- Presentation: Garnish with freshly chopped basil or parsley, serving immediately while maintaining optimal temperature and creamy consistency.
Notes
- Prevent Pasta Sticking: Stir occasionally during boiling and use a large pot with plenty of water to prevent pasta from clumping together.
- Control Garlic Intensity: Sauté garlic gently to release flavor without burning, which can create a bitter taste that overpowers the dish.
- Master Sauce Consistency: Add reserved pasta water gradually to achieve the perfect creamy texture, helping the sauce cling smoothly to the pasta.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Swap heavy cream with plant-based alternatives like coconut cream for dairy-free version, or use gluten-free pasta for those with wheat sensitivities.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg