Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta Recipe

Introduction

This creamy tomato garlic pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish that comes together quickly. With a rich tomato sauce infused with garlic and Parmesan, it’s perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

• 8 oz penne or fettuccine pasta
• 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (no added sugar)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
2. Step 2: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic until fragrant and golden brown, about 2 minutes.
3. Step 3: Add diced tomatoes with their juices to the skillet; simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
4. Step 4: Reduce the heat and stir in the heavy cream; let it bubble gently for 2 minutes.
5. Step 5: Mix in grated Parmesan cheese until melted, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Step 6: Drain the pasta, reserving some cooking water. Combine pasta with the sauce, adding reserved water if needed to reach desired consistency.
7. Step 7: Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan if desired.

Tips & Variations

• For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut milk.
• Add fresh basil or crushed red pepper flakes for extra flavor.
• Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish gluten-free.
• To enhance the garlic flavor, roast the garlic beforehand instead of sautéing.

Storage

Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of cream or water to loosen the sauce if it has thickened.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of pasta for this recipe?

Yes, any pasta shape like spaghetti, rigatoni, or farfalle can be used based on your preference.

Is it possible to make this recipe vegan?

To make it vegan, replace heavy cream with a plant-based alternative like cashew cream and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese.

Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 142 reviews

This creamy tomato garlic pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender penne or fettuccine combined with a rich sauce made from sautéed garlic, diced tomatoes, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. It’s quick to prepare and perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.

• Author: Rico
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta

• 8 oz penne or fettuccine pasta

Sauce

• 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (no added sugar)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta until al dente, which takes about 8-10 minutes depending on the type and brand. Drain the pasta when done but reserve some of the cooking water for later use.
2. Sauté Garlic: While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant and golden brown, roughly 2 minutes, taking care not to burn it.
3. Add Tomatoes: Add the diced tomatoes with their juices to the skillet. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes until it reduces slightly and thickens.
4. Add Cream: Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream. Allow the sauce to bubble gently for 2 minutes to blend the flavors and thicken the sauce.
5. Incorporate Cheese and Season: Mix in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts fully into the sauce. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper according to taste.
6. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to combine well, adding some reserved pasta cooking water if necessary to loosen the sauce and achieve the desired consistency.
7. Serve: Serve the creamy tomato garlic pasta hot. Optionally, garnish with additional Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.

Notes

• To prevent garlic from burning, keep the heat at medium and stir frequently while sautéing.
• You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but the texture may be less creamy.
• Reserve pasta water is useful to adjust the sauce consistency without diluting flavor.
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts better and has more flavor than pre-grated varieties.
• This recipe can be made with gluten-free pasta to adjust for dietary needs.

Keywords: tomato pasta, garlic pasta, creamy pasta sauce, easy pasta recipe, Italian pasta dish, weeknight dinner