Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta (Printable)

Luscious pasta with ripe tomatoes, garlic, and cream in a smooth velvety sauce.

# 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 and 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

# Directions:

01 - Boil pasta in salted water until al dente per package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
02 - Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Stir in tomato paste and cook 1 minute. Add crushed tomatoes, sugar, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer uncovered 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
04 - Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan. Cook 2 minutes until sauce becomes creamy and well combined.
05 - Toss drained pasta into sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed for desired consistency. Mix until fully coated. Serve hot garnished with fresh basil and extra Parmesan.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The sauce comes together in the time it takes to boil pasta, making it perfect for those evenings when you're hungry but want something special
  • That moment when cream hits the tomato sauce and creates the most gorgeous coral color never gets old, plus the taste is incredible
02 -
  • Cold cream can sometimes seize when hitting hot sauce, let it sit on the counter while you prep everything else
  • That pasta water is your secret weapon for restaurant-level coating, don't dump it down the drain
03 -
  • Mince your garlic finely so it melts into the sauce instead of leaving chewy chunks
  • Grate your Parmesan from a wedge instead of buying pre-grated, it melts so much better

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