Description
Creamy tomato pasta delivers a delightful Italian-inspired comfort dish that sings with rich, velvety sauce and simple ingredients. Hearty noodles embrace tangy tomatoes and silky cream, creating a quick meal that satisfies hunger and warms souls completely.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 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
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (or a mix of oregano and basil)
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a slight kick)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Cooking Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or unsalted butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Instructions
- Prepare a generously salted water bath in a large pot, bringing it to a rolling boil. Submerge the pasta and cook until it reaches a perfectly tender yet firm consistency, following the package guidance. Extract a small portion of starchy liquid before draining the pasta completely.
- Warm olive oil or butter in a spacious skillet over medium heat. Introduce minced garlic, allowing it to dance and release its aromatic essence for a brief moment. Pour in crushed tomatoes, sprinkle Italian seasoning, and add a whisper of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick. Allow the mixture to gently simmer, concentrating its vibrant flavors.
- Reduce the heat and introduce heavy cream, transforming the sauce into a silky, luxurious blend. Incorporate grated Parmesan, stirring until it melts seamlessly into the sauce. Calibrate the seasoning with a delicate touch of salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Cascade the cooked pasta into the skillet, gently tumbling it to ensure each strand is lavishly coated with the creamy tomato sauce. Should the sauce appear too dense, incrementally introduce the reserved pasta water, creating a perfectly flowing consistency.
- Transfer the pasta to serving vessels, showering with additional Parmesan shavings. Delicately scatter fresh basil leaves as a verdant garnish, presenting a dish that promises both comfort and elegance. Serve immediately to capture the peak of its gastronomic allure.
Notes
- Swap heavy cream with lighter alternatives like Greek yogurt, coconut milk, or cashew cream for a healthier or dairy-free version that maintains creamy texture.
- Enhance flavor complexity by adding a splash of white wine or balsamic vinegar when sautéing garlic for deeper, more nuanced taste profiles.
- Control spice levels by adjusting red pepper flakes or using smoked paprika for a milder, smoky undertone that doesn’t overwhelm the sauce.
- Boost nutritional value by incorporating roasted vegetables like zucchini, spinach, or bell peppers directly into the sauce for added vitamins and fiber.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 50mg