Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta (Printable)
A luscious pasta with ripe tomatoes, garlic, and cream in a smooth sauce ready in 30 minutes.
# What you'll need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz penne or fettuccine
→ Sauce Base
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 4 large garlic cloves, minced
04 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
05 - 14 oz can crushed tomatoes
06 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
07 - 1 tsp sugar
08 - 1 tsp dried oregano
09 - 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
→ Cream & Cheese
10 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
11 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
→ Garnish
13 - Fresh basil leaves, torn
14 - Extra Parmesan cheese for serving
# How to make it:
01 - Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion for 3-4 minutes until translucent, then add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Pour in crushed tomatoes, sugar, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer uncovered for 8-10 minutes.
04 - Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Cook for 2 minutes until sauce becomes creamy and well combined.
05 - Toss drained pasta into the sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed for consistency. Mix until thoroughly coated. Serve hot with fresh basil and extra Parmesan.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The sauce comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
- That touch of cream transforms ordinary tomato sauce into something restaurant worthy
- Its comfort food that feels fancy enough for date night but casual enough for Tuesday
02 -
- The sauce will look thin when you first add the cream but it thickens quickly as it coats the pasta
- That reserved pasta water is liquid gold, full of starch that helps sauce adhere to every strand
- Grate your own Parmesan because pre grated often has anti caking agents that prevent smooth melting
03 -
- Don't rush the onion step, properly softened onion provides the sweet foundation that makes everything else sing
- Always taste your sauce before adding the final cream, as you can't easily adjust seasoning after the dairy goes in