Description
This creamy basil tomato pasta is a delightful and easy-to-make Italian-inspired dish featuring al dente pasta tossed in a rich, velvety tomato and cream sauce infused with fresh basil and garlic. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a comforting meal anytime.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz pasta (penne or fettuccine)
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
For Serving
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Begin by cooking the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta well and set it aside while you prepare the sauce.
- Sauté Garlic: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it as burnt garlic can become bitter.
- Simmer Tomatoes: Add the canned diced tomatoes to the frying pan. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for about 5 minutes so the flavors meld and the sauce slightly thickens.
- Add Cream: Reduce the heat to low, then pour the heavy cream into the tomato mixture. Stir well to combine and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the sauce is heated through and creamy.
- Add Basil and Season: Stir in the chopped fresh basil leaves, then season the sauce with salt and pepper to your taste. Mix gently to combine all the flavors.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the pan with the creamy tomato sauce. Toss thoroughly to ensure every piece of pasta is well coated with the flavorful sauce.
- Serve: Serve the pasta immediately, optionally garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for an extra touch of richness and umami.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut milk.
- You can use fresh tomatoes instead of canned if preferred, about 2 cups chopped.
- Adding red pepper flakes to the garlic step can bring a nice subtle heat to the dish.
- Fresh basil is essential for the authentic flavor, but dried basil can be used in a pinch—use 1 teaspoon dried basil instead.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Boiling, Sautéing, Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1.25 cups)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: creamy basil tomato pasta, easy pasta recipe, Italian pasta, vegetarian dinner, tomato cream sauce pasta
