Name: Tomato Garlic Pasta Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Italian
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

Jump to Recipe

Introduction

This Tomato Garlic Pasta is a creamy, comforting dish packed with fresh garlic and rich tomato flavors. It’s quick to prepare, making it perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal. Enjoy the silky sauce paired with your favorite pasta shape for an easy dinner everyone will love.

The image shows a bowl of rigatoni pasta covered in a thick, creamy orange sauce with red spices and herbs mixed in. The pasta tubes are fully coated and appear soft with small flecks of green basil leaves scattered on top, adding a fresh touch. A silver fork lifts a bite of pasta from the white bowl, with some cheese stretching from the pasta to the fork. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface, creating a clean and bright background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

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

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

Tips & Variations

Use sun-dried tomatoes for a deeper flavor twist.
For a lighter dish, substitute half of the heavy cream with milk or use a plant-based cream alternative.
Add fresh basil or red pepper flakes for extra aroma and spice.
Reserve some pasta water to help the sauce cling better to the pasta.

Storage

Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of cream or water to loosen the sauce as needed.

How to Serve

A white bowl filled with creamy rigatoni pasta coated in a thick, orange-red sauce with visible herbs and small bits of seasoning. The rigatoni pieces are tubular with ridged textures, and fresh green basil leaves are scattered on top as garnish. A silver fork lifts a portion of the pasta, showing melted cheese stretching from the bowl to the fork. The bowl rests on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, this sauce works well with many pasta types such as spaghetti, linguine, or rigatoni. Choose your favorite shape or what you have on hand.

Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?

Absolutely. Substitute the heavy cream with coconut cream or a plant-based cream, and use a dairy-free Parmesan alternative or nutritional yeast for the cheesy flavor.