Creamy Tomato Pasta
A comforting dish that combines creamy sauce with zesty tomatoes, ideal for a quick family dinner.
Ingredients
Pasta Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta (spaghetti, penne, or your favorite type) Choose your preferred pasta type
Sauce Ingredients
- 2 cups crushed tomatoes (canned or fresh) You can use either canned or fresh tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream For a lighter option, substitute with half-and-half
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced Be careful not to burn the garlic
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- to taste salt and pepper
- optional fresh basil or parsley, for garnish Adds freshness to the dish
- optional grated Parmesan cheese, for serving Enhances the flavor
Instructions
Cooking the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add your choice of pasta, and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving a little pasta water.
Preparing the Sauce
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, ensuring it doesn’t burn.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir to combine. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Reduce the heat and slowly stir in the heavy cream, followed by the Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the mixture simmer for another 3-4 minutes, thickening up beautifully.
Combining and Serving
- Add the drained pasta to the sauce and toss to combine. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
- Plate the creamy tomato pasta and garnish with fresh basil or parsley, and top with grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy your delicious creation!
Notes
For a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream. Adding red pepper flakes can provide a kick to the dish.