Description
Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta is a comforting, quick-to-make dish featuring a luscious blend of ripe tomatoes, aromatic garlic, and a smooth, velvety cream sauce. Perfect for weeknights or relaxed weekends, it offers a rich yet light flavor experience that can be customized easily to suit various dietary preferences and tastes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 200g pasta of choice (spaghetti, penne, fusilli, etc.)
- 2 cups fresh ripe tomatoes (diced) or 1 can (14 oz) quality canned tomatoes
- 3–4 fresh garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Garnishes (Optional)
- Fresh basil or parsley leaves, chopped
- Grated Parmesan cheese (or Pecorino Romano/ricotta for variation)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta: Cook your preferred pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining to help loosen the sauce if needed.
- Sauté the Garlic: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped garlic and gently sauté until fragrant and golden, being careful not to burn it.
- Add Tomatoes: Stir in diced fresh or canned tomatoes. Cook down for several minutes until the sauce thickens and the flavors intensify.
- Stir in the Cream: Pour in the heavy cream and stir until fully combined, creating a smooth, creamy consistency. Let it simmer for a few minutes to meld the flavors beautifully.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta directly to the skillet and toss well to coat every strand or piece in the creamy tomato garlic sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually to reach your desired consistency.
- Season and Garnish: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Finish by sprinkling fresh basil or parsley and a generous amount of grated Parmesan cheese for the perfect finishing touch.
Notes
- Use Fresh Garlic: Freshly minced garlic provides the best aroma and flavor.
- Reserve Pasta Water: The starchy water helps emulsify and loosen the sauce when needed.
- Cook Tomatoes Slowly: Simmer tomatoes gently to intensify flavor and reduce acidity.
- Don’t Overcook Pasta: Aim for al dente to keep pasta firm when combined with the sauce.
- Add Fresh Herbs Last: Adding herbs at the end keeps their flavor bright and fresh.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 55mg