Description
This creamy tomato garlic pasta recipe is the ultimate weeknight comfort meal. Made with fresh garlic, crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese, it delivers a rich and flavorful sauce that clings to every noodle. Quick, easy, and perfect for family dinners or cozy nights in, this dish is a crowd-pleaser. Keywords: creamy tomato pasta, garlic pasta, easy pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta dinner, pasta with cream sauce.
Ingredients
8 oz pasta
1 tbsp olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and drain.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant but not browned.
3. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, stir, and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes to deepen the flavor.
4. Lower the heat and stir in heavy cream until sauce turns pink and creamy.
5. Add Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir until cheese is melted.
6. Toss in the chopped fresh basil and stir to combine.
7. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat evenly. Use reserved pasta water to loosen sauce if needed.
8. Serve hot with extra Parmesan and basil on top.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan for the creamiest texture.
Don’t let the garlic brown—it turns bitter fast.
Adjust the spice level with more or less red pepper flakes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 55mg