Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta Recipe
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.
- Author: Caleb
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
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
- Cook the pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
- 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.
- Add tomatoes: Add diced tomatoes with their juices to the skillet and simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
- Incorporate cream: Reduce the heat and stir in heavy cream, allowing it to bubble gently for 2 minutes to meld flavors.
- Add Parmesan and season: Mix in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth; then season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
- 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.
- 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