Description
This creamy tomato pasta is a simple and delicious Italian-inspired dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Featuring tender pasta enveloped in a rich tomato and cream sauce, accented with garlic, onions, and fresh basil, it offers a comforting blend of flavors. The recipe is versatile, allowing for the use of dairy-free cream and optional parmesan cheese for extra richness.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 200g pasta (penne or spaghetti)
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (400g) chopped tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (or plant-based cream for a dairy-free option)
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (optional for dairy-free)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water for adjusting sauce consistency.
- Sauté onions: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Add garlic: Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1-2 minutes more until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Simmer tomatoes: Pour in the canned chopped tomatoes and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let the sauce cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally to reduce slightly and develop flavor.
- Incorporate cream: Stir in the heavy cream (or plant-based cream) and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss well to coat, adding reserved pasta water gradually if the sauce needs thinning to the desired consistency.
- Season and add cheese: Season the pasta and sauce with salt and pepper to taste. If using, stir in grated parmesan cheese for extra richness and flavor.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with fresh chopped basil leaves and serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Use plant-based cream and omit parmesan cheese for a dairy-free version.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce thickness as needed.
- Fresh basil adds a fragrant finish; you can substitute with dried basil if fresh is unavailable.
- This recipe serves 2 but can be easily doubled for more servings.
- Pasta types like penne or spaghetti work equally well.
