Name: Creamy 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

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Introduction

This creamy tomato garlic pasta is a comforting dish that combines rich flavors with simple ingredients. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal, it offers a smooth, cheesy sauce paired with tender pasta. You’ll love how easy it is to make and how delicious it tastes.

A white bowl filled with rigatoni pasta coated in a creamy orange sauce with visible herbs and small bits of spices. The pasta pieces are tubular with ridges, evenly covered in sauce. Small green basil leaves are scattered on top, adding contrast, and a woman's hand is holding a fork lifting a piece of pasta with some sauce stretching down. The background is a white marbled texture. 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 the diced tomatoes with their juices to the skillet and simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
Step 4: Reduce the heat and stir in the heavy cream. Let it bubble gently for 2 minutes to blend flavors.
Step 5: Mix in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts smoothly. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 6: Drain the pasta, reserving some cooking water. Combine the pasta with the sauce, adding reserved water if needed to reach desired consistency.
Step 7: Serve the pasta hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese if you like.

Tips & Variations

For extra freshness, add chopped basil or parsley just before serving.
Use sun-dried tomatoes instead of canned for a more intense flavor.
Swap heavy cream for half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but it will be less rich.
If you prefer a smoother sauce, blend the tomato mixture before adding cream.

Storage

Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of cream or water to loosen the sauce if it thickens.

How to Serve

A white bowl filled with rigatoni pasta covered in creamy orange sauce dotted with red pepper flakes and small green basil strips scattered on top. The pasta tubes are tightly packed and coated evenly by the sauce, which looks thick and smooth with some stringy melted cheese being lifted by a silver fork held by a woman's hand from the top right. The dish has a warm and rich appearance against 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 another type of pasta?

Yes, this sauce pairs well with many pasta shapes such as spaghetti, rigatoni, or farfalle. Choose your favorite or whatever you have on hand.

Is it possible to make this dish vegan?

To make a vegan version, substitute the heavy cream with coconut cream or cashew cream and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese.