Description
This creamy tomato garlic pasta is a quick and delicious meal perfect for weeknight dinners. Featuring al dente spaghetti tossed in a rich tomato and garlic cream sauce, flavored with fresh basil and olive oil, it offers comforting flavors with minimal effort in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz spaghetti or fettuccine
Sauce
- 1 cup ripe tomatoes (diced)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 cloves fresh garlic (minced)
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
- 1/4 cup fresh basil (chopped)
- Optional: grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil salted water in a large pot and cook the spaghetti or fettuccine according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté the garlic: In a large skillet, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until it turns golden brown and fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add tomatoes and season: Add the diced ripe tomatoes to the skillet along with salt and pepper to taste. Let the mixture simmer gently for about 5 minutes, allowing the tomatoes to soften and flavors to meld.
- Incorporate the cream: Lower the heat and slowly stir in the heavy cream into the tomato mixture until the sauce is fully blended and creamy.
- Toss pasta in sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat each strand evenly with the creamy tomato garlic sauce.
- Finish and serve: Serve the pasta warm, garnished generously with freshly chopped basil. Optionally, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top for added richness.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a dairy-free alternative.
- Use fresh, ripe tomatoes for the best flavor; cherry tomatoes halved also work well.
- Be careful not to overcook the garlic to avoid bitterness.
- Parmesan cheese is optional but adds a nice savory touch.
- This dish pairs beautifully with a simple green salad or crusty bread.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: creamy tomato pasta, garlic pasta, Italian pasta recipe, quick dinner, easy pasta sauce, creamy pasta
