Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta
Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta is a luscious and comforting dish that combines al dente pasta with a rich tomato cream sauce infused with garlic, Parmesan, and fresh basil. It’s a quick, weeknight-friendly meal bursting with classic Italian flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz pasta (penne or rigatoni)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion until soft, about 3–4 minutes.
- Add garlic and red pepper flakes; cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes. Simmer for 5–7 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Stir in cream and simmer for another 2–3 minutes.
- Add pasta and toss to coat, using reserved pasta water to loosen sauce if needed.
- Mix in basil and Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve hot with extra Parmesan and basil on top.
Notes
- Substitute half-and-half or Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
- Add grilled chicken or shrimp for more protein.
- Include spinach or mushrooms for extra vegetables.
- Make the sauce ahead and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
Find it online: https://ukfinda.com/creamy-tomato-basil-pasta/