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Creamy tomato pasta dish served in a bowl with fresh basil garnish

Creamy Tomato Pasta

A comforting and quick creamy tomato pasta dish that's perfect for busy weeknights, with a delightful flavor that brings smiles to every table.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 500
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 ounces your favorite pasta (spaghetti, penne, or fusilli work great)
  • Salt (for boiling water)
For the Creamy Tomato Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced Use fresh garlic for best flavor.
  • 1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes High-quality tomatoes yield better results.
  • 1 cup heavy cream Can substitute with half-and-half or plant-based cream.
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil Fresh basil can be used as an alternative.
  • 1 teaspoon sugar To balance acidity.
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Grated Parmesan cheese (for serving, optional) You can replace with a dairy-free option for a vegan dish.

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  2. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes.
Preparing the Sauce
  1. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for about 5 minutes.
  4. Lower the heat, then stir in the heavy cream, dried basil, and sugar. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for another 5 minutes.
Combining Pasta and Sauce
  1. Once the pasta is ready, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the rest.
  2. Add the drained pasta directly to the sauce, tossing to coat. If the sauce seems too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
Serving
  1. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  2. Serve immediately with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

For best results, use fresh garlic and high-quality tomatoes. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.