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The Best Creamy Garlic Tomato Pasta

The Best Creamy Garlic Tomato Pasta
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The Best Creamy Garlic Tomato Pasta is a comforting yet elegant dish featuring a velvety cream and tomato sauce infused with aromatic garlic and fresh herbs, perfectly coating your choice of pasta. Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe offers rich, layered flavors with a smooth texture that’s ideal for both weeknight dinners and special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta & Base Ingredients

  • 8 oz spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne pasta
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 cloves fresh garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes or 4 ripe fresh tomatoes, crushed
  • 1 cup heavy cream

Herbs & Seasonings

  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped or 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Cheese

  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining to adjust the sauce consistency later.
  2. Sauté the Garlic: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped fresh garlic and sauté gently for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Cook the Tomatoes: Add crushed tomatoes to the skillet, stirring to combine with the garlic. Let the mixture simmer gently for 10 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
  4. Incorporate the Cream: Slowly pour in the heavy cream, stirring gently until the sauce turns a pale pink color and attains a velvety texture.
  5. Season and Add Herbs: Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, and either fresh basil or dried Italian herbs. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed for a balanced flavor.
  6. Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat evenly. If the sauce feels too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water little by little to loosen it to your desired consistency.
  7. Finish with Cheese: Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta. Toss a few more times to combine the cheesy flavor and create a creamy finish before serving.

Notes

  • Use fresh garlic for the brightest, most vibrant flavor.
  • Reserve pasta water to help bind the sauce and pasta without thinning it excessively.
  • Simmer the tomatoes and cream gently over medium-low heat to prevent curdling.
  • Choose ripe tomatoes for natural sweetness and acidity if using fresh.
  • Stir in Parmesan cheese off the heat to keep the sauce creamy and prevent clumping.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy garlic tomato pasta, easy pasta recipe, weeknight dinner, Italian pasta, creamy tomato sauce, garlic pasta

Find it online: https://recipesbykaeli.com/the-best-creamy-garlic-tomato-pasta/