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Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta Recipe

4.8 from 109 reviews

This Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta is a delightful and comforting dish featuring al dente penne or fettuccine tossed in a rich, garlicky tomato cream sauce finished with Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it balances savory garlic, tangy tomatoes, and luscious cream for an indulgent yet simple pasta experience.

Ingredients

Scale

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, about 8-10 minutes.
  2. Sauté garlic: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic until fragrant and golden brown, approximately 2 minutes.
  3. Add tomatoes: Add diced tomatoes with their juices to the skillet and simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
  4. Incorporate cream: Reduce the heat and stir in heavy cream, allowing it to bubble gently for 2 minutes to meld flavors.
  5. Add Parmesan and season: Mix in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth; then season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Combine pasta and sauce: Drain the cooked pasta, reserving some of the cooking water. Toss the pasta with the sauce in the skillet, adding reserved pasta water as needed to adjust the sauce consistency.
  7. Serve: Plate the pasta and serve hot, optionally garnished with extra Parmesan cheese for added flavor.

Notes

  • Use freshly minced garlic for the best flavor; avoid pre-minced garlic as it tends to be less vibrant.
  • Reserve pasta water to help loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.
  • For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a plant-based cream.
  • Adjust salt according to the saltiness of Parmesan cheese used.
  • This dish pairs well with a simple side salad or crusty bread.

Keywords: creamy tomato pasta, garlic pasta, easy pasta recipe, Italian pasta, penne recipe, fettuccine recipe, Parmesan pasta, quick dinner