Description
Classic creamy tomato pasta brings Italian comfort to your kitchen. Rich sauce, fresh basil, and al dente noodles combine for a quick weeknight meal you’ll crave repeatedly.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tbsps olive oil or unsalted butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 12 oz (340g) pasta (spaghetti, penne, or your favorite type)
- 1 can (14 oz/400g) crushed tomatoes or tomato passata
- ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
- ¼ cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning (or a mix of oregano and basil)
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a slight kick)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: In a large pot, create a generously salted water bath and bring to a vigorous boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente, reserving a portion of starchy liquid before draining completely.
- Sauce Foundation: In a spacious skillet heated to medium, warm olive oil or butter. Introduce minced garlic, allowing its fragrance to unfurl. Add crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and a hint of red pepper flakes. Simmer gently to concentrate flavors and develop depth.
- Sauce Refinement: Lower heat and incorporate heavy cream, transforming the sauce into a velvety emulsion. Fold in grated Parmesan until completely dissolved, then season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to harmonize the flavor profile.
- Pasta Integration: Gently transfer cooked pasta into the skillet, delicately coating each strand with the creamy tomato sauce. If the consistency appears too thick, gradually introduce reserved pasta water to achieve a silky, flowing texture.
- Final Presentation: Plate the pasta, generously garnishing with additional Parmesan shavings and fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately to capture the dish’s optimal flavor and textural elegance.
Notes
- Choose High-Quality Tomatoes: Select ripe, flavorful crushed tomatoes or fresh tomatoes for a more vibrant sauce that elevates the entire dish’s taste profile.
- Master Pasta Water Technique: Reserve pasta water before draining – this starchy liquid acts as a magical sauce thickener and helps create a smoother, more cohesive coating for your pasta.
- Control Cream Consistency: Add cream gradually and on low heat to prevent curdling, ensuring a silky smooth sauce that clings perfectly to each pasta strand.
- Balance Seasoning Carefully: Taste and adjust salt levels incrementally, remembering that Parmesan cheese brings natural saltiness to the sauce, preventing over-seasoning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 62g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 40mg